Alex de Minaur and Katie Boulter, the engaged tennis power couple, have confirmed their interest in competing in the revamped US Open mixed doubles event, set for August 19-20, 2025, during Fan Week, though their participation hinges on wildcard selection. The Australian No. 1 and British No. 1, ranked No. 12 and No. 39 respectively, have expressed enthusiasm about teaming up, with de Minaur stating, “We’re definitely going to be keen to try and play if they allow us too,” following his Queen’s Club loss in June. Their combined singles ranking of 53 falls short of the top eight automatic entries, based on rankings due by July 28, leaving them vying for one of eight wildcard spots against high-profile pairs like Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios.
This update comes as the US Open faces fresh backlash over a controversial rule change that has halved the mixed doubles draw from 32 to 16 pairs, shifting the event to a pre-tournament showcase with a $1 million prize. Matches are now best-of-three sets to four games, with tiebreaks at 4-4 and a super tiebreak in lieu of a third set, aiming to attract singles stars but drawing ire from doubles specialists. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, along with Ellen Perez, have criticized the move as disrespectful to tradition and a threat to livelihoods, with Perez calling it a dismissal of doubles players. The format, favoring entertainment over depth, has left 25 entered teams—many reliant on mixed events—competing for limited spots, fueling sentiment that the US Open prioritizes spectacle over equity.
De Minaur and Boulter’s last doubles outing was a 2023 Wimbledon second-round loss, and their potential US Open pairing adds intrigue, though their selection remains uncertain. The backlash underscores a divide, with fans and players split between welcoming the star power and lamenting the loss of competitive integrity, as the tournament prepares for its new format next month.
