Alize Cornet has criticised the US Open's revamped mixed doubles tournament, calling it 'unfair' on doubles specialists and a 'strategy to make money'. The event, which returned for a second year, is being held during 'Fan Week', the week before the main draws begin.
Only 16 teams are included, with entries based on singles rankings. Most are wildcards, and this year the US Open added a one-day qualifying competition allowing doubles players to enter using their rankings. The former world No. 11 believes the format disadvantages doubles specialists.
Cornet likens event to an exhibition
Speaking on RMC's Les Grandes Gueules du Sport, Cornet compared the mixed doubles competition to a friendly. She asked: 'Why not organise an exhibition?' She added that players' livelihoods depend on these events, saying: 'This is their livelihood throughout the year, and they work very hard for it. This is unfair.'
Cornet noted the issue is not new, referencing 2016 champion Laura Siegemund, who had previously denounced the tournament for turning a serious competition into a 'show event'.
Blockbuster pairings and prize money
This year's tournament featured high-profile pairings including Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz, and Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic. The winning team receives £734k ($1m). Cornet argued the official mixed doubles event does not need to be a big show, stating: 'We mustn't mix everything together. It is really just a strategy to make money. It is no longer the US Open mixed doubles. It doesn't look anything like what it used to be.'
The main draw began on Tuesday, with the tournament concluding on Wednesday with the semi-finals and final. Sabalenka and Djokovic were eliminated by doubles world No. 1s Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten, who then lost to married couple Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils. Williams and Alcaraz beat doubles specialists Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool before losing to Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli, who now face Svitolina and Monfils in the semis. Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik will meet Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev in the other semi-final, after Andreeva and Rublev knocked out two-time defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.
