NEW YORK — Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori faced uncertainty about defending their U.S. Open mixed doubles title, as tournament organizers shifted their focus to singles superstars over doubles specialists.
Despite the challenges, they not only returned to New York but soared to the pinnacle once again.
The dynamic Italian duo triumphed over No. 3 seeds Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud with a score of 6-3, 5-7 (10-6) on Wednesday night, showcasing their skill by winning four matches over two days and earning a remarkable $1 million — a substantial increase from their last year’s earnings in a vastly different format.
While Errani and Vavassori critiqued the event’s changes that sidelined traditional doubles teams, their smiles and joyful embraces told a different story after quickly establishing a lead in the match tiebreaker, captivating a large crowd in the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“It was vital for us to participate,” Vavassori expressed. “This initiative demonstrated that doubles can evolve into something remarkable. The stadium was packed, the energy was electric. If something isn’t working — we’ve proven here that it can!”
This atmosphere is seldom enjoyed by doubles players, aligning perfectly with the U.S. Open organizers’ vision of hosting the event before the singles matches commence on Sunday, drawing in tennis’s biggest names.
Many top players participated, but ultimately, the spotlight shone on the talented duo.
Eight teams in the 16-team draw qualified based on their combined singles rankings, while others received wild cards. Errani, initially doubtful about their chances of receiving one, was pleasantly surprised when it was granted.
They made history by becoming the first repeat mixed doubles champions in Flushing Meadows since Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jamie Murray in 2018-19, highlighting their commitment to representing the many doubles players unable to join them this year.
“This victory is also for them,” Errani proclaimed.
The event attracted former U.S. Open singles champions like Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu, Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, and Daniil Medvedev, all of whom faced early exits. Nonetheless, almost every seat was taken during the three thrilling matches on Wednesday night inside the now-covered Arthur Ashe Stadium, following a day of rain.
Ruud acknowledged the U.S. Tennis Association’s bold redesign, which faced criticism for turning the championship, featuring shortened sets in the initial rounds, into what some believed resembled a glorified exhibition rather than a traditional two-week event. However, even those specializing in doubles recognized the newfound attention and excitement.
“When you have such a packed crowd, how can we keep this momentum going?” Christian Harrison remarked after he and Danielle Collins lost 4-2, 4-2 to Errani and Vavassori in the semifinals. “It was an unforgettable night.”
Swiatek and Ruud edged top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper 3-5, 5-3 (10-8) in the other semifinal, making a remarkable comeback from an 8-4 deficit in the match tiebreaker.
The second-ranked Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam singles champion, and Ruud, a three-time major singles finalist, showcased their prowess in the final. Yet, they found it challenging to match the doubles finesse of Errani and Vavassori, who became champions together at this year’s French Open. Vavassori’s height and agile net play made him a formidable presence against the precise shots of Swiatek and Ruud.
“In doubles, it’s crucial to master the complexities of the game,” Errani emphasized. “It’s not just about strong serves, powerful hits, or good returns; there are numerous intricate elements involved.”
Errani is celebrated as one of the most accomplished women’s doubles players in history, having clinched a career Grand Slam with former partner Roberta Vinci and secured the 2024 Olympic gold medal alongside Jasmine Paolini, who cheered from the stands after withdrawing from the event following her loss to Swiatek in the Cincinnati final.
In contrast, Swiatek opted to stay in the competition, sharing $400,000 with Ruud — twice what Errani and Vavassori earned for their victory last year.
