Pegula criticizes the US Open for its lack of communication with the players

Fernando Murciego | 12 Aug 2025 | 10.30

Jessica Pegula criticizes the new mixed doubles format at the US Open 2025. Source: Getty

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The best advertiser would be happy with the campaign that has been mounted around the upcoming mixed doubles tournament of the US Open 2025. Bad publicity? Criticism of the format? Expert players in the discipline left out of the draw? It doesn't matter; the important thing is that we have been talking about nothing else for a month, to the point that it seems like the real focus of the event is on this doubles event rather than the others. However, as in all stories, there is always something that could have been done better. In this case, there are quite a few.

We can take as an example the words of Jessica Pegula in her latest mixed zone from the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati. After debuting with a convincing victory over Kimberly Birrel, the American touched on the subject with some journalists, carrying out her communication role from within the WTA Players' Council, to which she has belonged for some time. Tennis Channel reported her statements, and we, being aware of everything that happens, are making them available to the Spanish-speaking public so that you don't miss a single chapter of this series.

"I feel honored to have been asked to participate in the tournament. I think it will be a great event, surely it will be fun, and above all, I think the fans will enjoy it very much. At the same time, if I think about the way they did it, I don't think it was really ideal," acknowledges the Buffalo player, who will be taking part next week paired with her compatriot Tommy Paul, already eliminated in Cincinnati.

"We received the news with surprise, accepting that the US Open got sneaky to change the format without telling anyone; they just did it, without consultation. Have you talked to the players? Were you interested in their opinion to know how it could be better? This is a subject that we, as players, are trying to work on with them, making that line of communication closer. I feel that maybe if there had been better communication about the future of the format, the reaction from our side would have been different, not so radical on both sides," states the 31-year-old player, accustomed to always expressing herself transparently.

Jessica Pegula competing in Cincinnati. Source: Getty

A DOUBLES TOURNAMENT, WITHOUT DOUBLES PLAYERS?

In the end, the major problem lies in the fact that this format, driven to sell the product through big stars, has left out great specialists in the field, accomplished players in the category who have been earning their living through these tournaments their whole lives. Of course, we know they are not the ones selling the most tickets, but considering that the Grand Slams make real fortunes for each edition held, many do not understand the need to turn the mixed doubles upside down simply to pull off a new box-office hit in the weekend before the tournament starts.

"The fans will continue excitedly attending the matches, but something is not right when you have so many upset players saying they can't play now, that can never be positive," states the world No. 4, a Pegula who at all times puts herself in the shoes of both parties, not holding back in criticizing the USTA itself. "There are many doubles players complaining that this was their way to make money, and now it has been taken away. Of course, it will be a very fun event, I have no doubt about that, but at the same time, I wish they had communicated a little better with us," she concludes.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Pegula carga contra el US Open por su nula comunicación con los jugadores