Alizé Cornet Critiques Revamped US Open Mixed Doubles Format

Alizé Cornet, the well-known French tennis professional, has publicly criticized the recently altered mixed doubles tournament at the US Open. She questions the fundamental purpose of the event in its updated form, suggesting that its current structure disproportionately favors prominent singles players. Cornet believes this shift has come at the expense of doubles specialists and raises the question of whether the tournament should instead be regarded as a mere exhibition.

The 2026 mixed doubles competition has garnered considerable attention during the US Open Fan Week, primarily due to unexpected pairings such as Carlos Alcaraz with Serena Williams, and Novak Djokovic alongside Aryna Sabalenka. Other notable duos, including Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, have further amplified the star power of this event, which takes place prior to the main singles draw.

Introduced last year, the revised format of the tournament largely relies on singles rankings and wildcards, rather than the traditional doubles rankings. This change has enabled leading singles players to participate without committing to an extensive doubles campaign, consequently leaving numerous established doubles experts outside the primary draw. This innovative approach has undoubtedly made mixed doubles a major draw during the initial days of the New York event. However, it has also sparked debate regarding the position and significance of professional doubles players. Cornet, who concluded her career in 2025 having achieved a singles ranking of world No. 11, has now joined the chorus of voices questioning the current trajectory of the competition.

During an appearance on RMC's Les Grandes Gueules du Sport, Cornet directly challenged the necessity for the US Open to restructure the discipline. She proposed that organizing a separate exhibition event for the sport's biggest names would be a more suitable alternative. Cornet stressed, "Why not organize an exhibition?"

The French athlete further emphasized the plight of players who have dedicated their careers to doubles, asserting that their professional standing should not be undermined simply because the US Open seeks to attract more high-profile singles competitors. Cornet firmly believes that doubles is a legitimate discipline in its own right, providing a livelihood for many specialists throughout the season. She articulated, “There are still doubles players who dedicate themselves to this discipline. It is their livelihood throughout the year, and they work hard for it.”

Cornet's critique also extends to the perceived commercial motivations driving these changes. The US Open has strategically positioned the event during Fan Week, implemented a condensed format, and offered a substantial $1 million prize to the winning team, effectively transforming it into a spectacle centered around tennis's most recognizable figures. She stated, “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.”

Her primary concern is not merely the participation of singles stars, but rather how their involvement has reshaped the competitive essence of a discipline that historically served as a crucial platform for doubles specialists. She concluded, “It penalizes doubles players. It’s unfair. We should keep the two disciplines separate.”

The US Open's current strategy has successfully elevated mixed doubles into a prominent attraction during Fan Week, featuring compelling pairings like Alcaraz and Williams, and Djokovic with Sabalenka. The tournament's streamlined format is designed to make participation more appealing to singles players, enabling them to compete for the substantial prize money without undertaking a full traditional doubles campaign alongside their singles commitments. This approach has generated considerable buzz before the singles competition even begins, allowing the US Open to showcase its biggest names during a period typically reserved for qualifying matches and fan engagement activities. However, this shift has ignited a broader discussion about whether the mixed doubles discipline should primarily serve as a showcase for singles stars, rather than maintaining its traditional role as a significant stage for dedicated doubles players.