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Taylor Townsend Champions Innovation Amid US Open Mixed Doubles Shakeup

Taylor Townsend supports US Open’s mixed doubles changes despite criticism, highlighting fan engagement.

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At the Mubadala Citi DC Open, Taylor Townsend firmly defended the US Open’s new approach to its mixed doubles event, countering critics who resist change. Townsend, currently the WTA No. 2 doubles player, praised the initiative after advancing in singles and doubles at the WTA 500 tournament.

“I think most people are afraid of what they don’t understand, or they’re afraid of change, because it’s something we don’t understand because it’s never been done in the history of the sport,” Townsend commented.

She is listed as a potential competitor alongside American Ben Shelton, with whom she teamed to reach the US Open mixed doubles semifinals in 2023. Shelton, speaking at a Media Day press conference, called Townsend “the best mixed doubles player in the world, hands down,” and said he would only play if paired with her.

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The revamped US Open mixed doubles format prioritizes teams based on combined singles rankings, complicating Townsend and Shelton’s entry unless awarded a wild card. The event, boasting $1 million in prize money for the champion team, will take place during the tournament’s Fan Week in a shortened scoring format, preceding the singles competition.

This overhaul has drawn criticism from notable players like Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Katerina Siniakova, who alongside ATP doubles No. 1 Marcelo Arevalo, may be excluded due to their lack of singles ranking. Siniakova said, “When two world No. 1s in doubles don’t get into the tournament, there’s probably nothing more to say about it.”

Despite the controversy, Townsend adopts an optimistic view about the event and the atmosphere it will create.

“The field is amazing, the players are spectacular, and I think it’s really cool to be able to do this during Fan Week and qualies week. You’re bringing an influx of fans, people, celebrities, all of these different energies to the tournament,” she explained.

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Townsend, formerly a Top 50 singles player now ranked No. 97, expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with Shelton on court and encouraged an open mind toward the changes. She highlighted the addition of fan-focused activities such as Ashe Kid’s Day and kid’s clinics as promising enhancements to the event’s appeal and exposure.

“I’m really excited for the viewership and the exposure to the game in this way.”

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ATP US Open

US Open Wheelchair Tennis Celebrates 20 Years with Strong Field in 2025

Wheelchair tennis returns to the US Open in 2025, marking its 20th anniversary with a strong field.

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The US Open wheelchair tennis competition returns in 2025 after a one-year hiatus due to the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) has confirmed the entry lists for the event, scheduled from September 2 to September 6 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. This edition marks two decades since wheelchair tennis was introduced at the US Open, reflecting significant growth in the sport at this Grand Slam.

Wheelchair tennis at the US Open has expanded considerably since its inception. The tournament added a quad division in 2007 and broke new ground in 2022 by becoming the first of the four major tennis championships to host a junior wheelchair division, which includes singles and doubles matches for both boys and girls.

The 2025 field features six American players, with the Netherlands providing the largest contingent, nine competitors in total. Among the standout participants is Alfie Hewett of Great Britain, who will pursue his third consecutive men’s singles US Open title. Also in the draw is Tokito Oda, the reigning Wimbledon champion and the world’s No. 1 player. Oda aims to complete a career Golden Slam, which encompasses winning the four Grand Slam tournaments and the Paralympic gold medal.

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The tournament’s return highlights the ongoing development and recognition of wheelchair tennis on one of the biggest stages in the sport.

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ATP Grand Slam US Open

Jannik Sinner Reinstates Controversial Fitness Trainer Umberto Ferrara Amid Doping Controversy

Jannik Sinner rehired fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara amid doping controversy and team changes.

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Jannik Sinner has made the unexpected decision to bring back Umberto Ferrara to his team this summer, as announced in a recent statement. This development follows Sinner’s dismissal of fitness trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio in June, shortly before his victorious Wimbledon run.

Ferrara had been previously let go alongside physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi following Sinner’s doping case earlier this year. In March 2024, Sinner tested positive twice for the banned steroid clostebol. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) found Sinner to be “of no fault” but attributed responsibility to Ferrara and Naldi for the contamination, reportedly linked to the use of a spray containing clostebol and subsequent treatment without gloves.

Despite the clearance, scrutiny has persisted since August 2024 when the ITIA’s report was made public. Sinner also served a three-month doping suspension earlier this season following a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency after their appeal.

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Former Italian tennis professional Diego Nargiso expressed surprise but support for the rehiring, stating to Repubblica, “I was very surprised by his return to the team. It’s a courageous choice on Jannik’s part, it confirms his determination: he knows how Umberto works, and he wants to continue along the path.”

He added, “I believe that then it was an act [the firing] that was more necessary than desired. Maybe someone had done something negligent, but I know Umberto: he is a very attentive, scrupulous person, a great professional. Jannik wanted him back with him, rightly going beyond the chatter and controversies of some envious people.”

The decision to bring Ferrara back comes just 11 months after his dismissal. This change coincides with the revelation that Darren Cahill will not accompany Sinner for his US Open title defense later this summer, as Cahill plans to take a break. Simone Vagnozzi, Sinner’s long-time coach, is expected to lead the team during the tournament.

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ATP Davis Cup US Open

Stefanos Tsitsipas Prioritizes Davis Cup Over Grand Slam Glory Amid Challenging Season

Stefanos Tsitsipas values winning the Davis Cup above Grand Slams amid struggles and coaching changes.

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Stefanos Tsitsipas recently expressed a clear preference for winning the Davis Cup, stating it holds more personal value for him than any Grand Slam title. The Greek star, once ranked world No. 3, has been struggling with form recently, exiting early in most Grand Slam events over the last 18 months and currently ranked 29th in the world.

The US Open represents Tsitsipas’ toughest Grand Slam, where he has yet to reach the fourth round and has only won one match in his last three appearances. Despite this, Tsitsipas’ enthusiasm for representing Greece in the Davis Cup remains high. Greece will face Brazil in September, with the winner advancing to the 2026 Davis Cup qualifying rounds.

In an interview with Greek outlet SDNA, Tsitsipas shared, “My mood is to play in the Davis Cup, my love for the Davis Cup is immense. I often tell Petros [Tsitsipas] and my father that a Davis Cup title would probably be more valuable than a Grand Slam. Being able to see our national team win the Davis Cup can fill me up more as a tennis player than a Grand Slam.” His Davis Cup record is strong, boasting a 13-3 singles win-loss tally, an 81% win rate. However, Greece has not reached the Davis Cup Finals since the format change in 2019.

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Tsitsipas’ teammates for the national squad include world No. 393 Stefanos Sakellaridis, No. 471 Aristotelis Thanos, and Petros Tsitsipas, Stefan’s brother. Yet the broader 2025 season for Stefanos has been difficult. After winning the ATP 500 event in Dubai, he has lost four of his last six matches and retired early in his Wimbledon first-round match due to back issues.

Earlier this year, Tsitsipas appointed 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic as his head coach, beginning in the grass-court season. Tsitsipas commented, “Working with Goran is an exciting opportunity for me. He is someone who has reached the highest levels of tennis, both as a player and as a coach. I am confident that his experience will help me grow further and I am really looking forward to that.” Ivanisevic initially echoed this optimism but after just two events, their partnership ended, with Apostolos Tsitsipas, Stefanos’ father, seemingly returning to the coaching team.

The split followed a controversially blunt interview from Ivanisevic, criticizing Tsitsipas for his lack of preparation and progress. Ivanisevic said, “It’s simple and it’s not easy… I’ve talked to him many times. If he solves some things outside of tennis, then he has a chance… He wants to, but he doesn’t do anything. All, ‘I want, I want’, but I don’t see any progress. I was shocked, I’ve never seen a more unprepared player in my life.”

Tsitsipas is set to compete next at the Canadian Masters from July 27 to August 7 as he looks to regain form and ranking.

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