Alizé Cornet Critiques US Open's Revamped Mixed Doubles Event

Alizé Cornet, the distinguished French tennis professional, has openly voiced her disapproval regarding the United States Open's revised mixed doubles competition. She contends that the tournament's current structure, which increasingly emphasizes celebrity singles players, detracts from the professional validity of doubles specialists. Cornet proposes that the event would be more appropriately classified as a showcase or exhibition, rather than a formal competition, given its present direction.

The 2026 mixed doubles event has garnered considerable attention during the US Open Fan Week, primarily due to the participation of renowned singles players. Notable pairings included Carlos Alcaraz alongside Serena Williams, and Novak Djokovic partnering with Aryna Sabalenka. Other prominent duos, such as Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, further elevated the tournament's profile, which takes place before the main singles draw commences.

Since its reintroduction last year, the competition's format heavily favors singles rankings and wildcard entries, rather than conventional doubles rankings. This arrangement enables leading singles players to enter without committing to a full doubles season, inadvertently sidelining many established doubles players from the primary draw. Cornet, who concluded her career in 2025 having achieved a singles ranking of world No. 11, has joined the growing chorus of voices questioning the tournament's evolution.

During an appearance on RMC's Les Grandes Gueules du Sport, Cornet articulated her view that the US Open should consider staging a separate exhibition featuring its star players, rather than altering the core structure of the mixed doubles event. She stressed that doubles is a legitimate discipline, providing a livelihood for many dedicated athletes, whose professional standing should not be undermined by a focus on attracting high-profile singles players.

Cornet's critique extends to the financial motives driving the tournament's changes. The US Open has strategically positioned the mixed doubles during Fan Week, implementing a condensed format and offering a substantial $1 million prize to the winning team. This strategy has successfully transformed the event into a spectacle centered on some of tennis's most recognizable figures. Cornet remarked, "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 involvement of singles stars, but rather how their presence has reshaped the competitive integrity of a discipline traditionally vital for doubles specialists. She believes this approach unfairly disadvantages those who have dedicated their careers to doubles. Cornet concludes that these two distinct tennis disciplines ought to remain separate to maintain fairness and respect for all professional players.

The US Open's successful transformation of mixed doubles into a prominent attraction during Fan Week, largely by featuring top singles players, has sparked an important discussion within the tennis community. While this strategy has undoubtedly boosted viewership and engagement, it raises questions about the long-term implications for doubles specialists. For now, the tournament has clearly opted to spotlight its biggest names, yet Cornet's remarks highlight the concerns of those whose careers are built around the doubles game, as they face diminished opportunities in what was once a key platform for their discipline.