Ten-time Grand Slam doubles champion Kateřina Siniaková shared her blunt response days after several notable names, including Venus Williams and Emma Raducanu, received a wildcard entry into the US Open Mixed Doubles draw.
The USTA has revamped this year’s mixed doubles format, incorporating it into Fan Week activities on Aug. 19 and 20 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The exhibition-style event features 16 top-tier ATP-WTA duos and a $1 million prize pool. The shift, however, prioritizes singles players, sidelining the doubles maestros, and Siniaková made no secret of her disapproval.
Kateřina Siniaková Responds Days After Venus Williams, Emma Raducanu, and Others’ Entry Into US Open Mixed Doubles
The Czech star openly criticized the revamped entry process for the 2025 US Open mixed doubles event after her wild card request was denied. Several high-profile pairings are set to feature in the event, including Raducanu teaming up with ATP World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek with Casper Ruud, Jannik Sinner alongside Emma Navarro, and Novak Djokovic partnering with Olga Danilovic.
Notably, American tennis legend Williams, who recently made her long-awaited return at the Citi DC Open, will join the star-studded lineup after receiving a wildcard to play alongside Reilly Opelka.
Surprisingly, Siniaková wasn’t included in the mixed doubles draw at Flushing Meadows, even with a decorated resume that includes the 2025 Wimbledon title with Sem Verbeek and an Olympic gold medal in Paris. She hoped to team up with the ATP doubles World No. 1 Marcelo Arevalo.
“When two world number ones in doubles don’t get into the tournament, there’s probably nothing more to say about it,” she said in an interview with CANAL+Sport.
🇨🇿Kateřina Siniaková nakonec také zažádala o divokou kartu do smíšené čtyřhry na US Open. Češka by měla spojit síly s🇸🇻Marcelem Arevalem, který je na vrcholu žebříčku mužské čtyřhry.
🗣„Když se dvě světové jedničky v deblu nedostanou do turnaje, tak asi není, co k tomu říct.” pic.twitter.com/drl04pbzwS
— CANAL+ Sport CZ/SK (@CANALSportCZ) July 21, 2025
The Czech recently posted a snapshot of the US Open Mixed Doubles participants on her Instagram story, which also included defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. Along with the post, she added a brief caption, writing:
“How many more surprises are coming?”
Mixed Doubles Entry of Venus Williams’ Partner at the US Open Controversy Fuels Controversy
Williams is set to partner with Reilly Opelka in the 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles, a surprising development, given the latter’s repeated criticism of the format. He has previously suggested that the format serves as an alternative for players who haven’t excelled in singles, and dismissed the notion of true ‘specialists’ in doubles.
Opelka’s entry into the doubles draw drew criticism from several fans, who highlighted the irony given his dismissive stance toward the format. Some also questioned why top-ranked doubles teams were left out while Opelka, who has repeatedly criticized the format, secured a spot.
Williams, meanwhile, had a mixed return to the court after a long hiatus. She defeated compatriot Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the women’s singles tie before losing to fifth seed Magdalena Fręch.
