Focus on stars controversial, but was tennis' new mixed doubles format a success? 

There’s been lots of conversation and controversy about the format change. But most of the players were big fans.

Andrea Vavassori, right, of Italy, and Sara Errani, left, of Italy, hold up the championship trophy after defeating Iga Swiatek, of Poland, and Casper Ruud, of Norway, in the mixed doubles final at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Even as the time crept towards midnight in the mixed doubles title match, the crowds and energy in Arthur Ashe Stadium didn’t budge.

The US Open’s largest court was packed for the final three matches of the reimagined mixed doubles tournament Wednesday night, which was made up of mainly top singles players for the first time. The only doubles specialists in the draw, Italians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavasorri, were the eventual champions.