The U.S. Tennis Association’s experiment with a re-imagined mixed-doubles event concluded with Italy’s Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and three-time major finalist Casper Ruud 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 to retain their U.S. Open title and collect the record-high $1 million winners’ cheque. The duo were the only doubles specialists in a 16-pair draw that was condensed into two days and scheduled the week before the singles tournaments. Organisers invited eight teams on combined singles rankings and granted eight wild cards, a move that placed headline names—including Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu, Novak Djokovic and Elena Rybakina—into the field while excluding several established doubles players. The overhaul also shortened early-round sets to four games and introduced sudden-death points, measures aimed at boosting broadcast appeal and ticket sales. The format delivered instant drama: Alcaraz and Raducanu, heavily promoted by sponsors, were ousted in 50 minutes by top seeds Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula, prompting fresh debate over whether the event served sport or spectacle. Some singles players praised the atmosphere—Arthur Ashe Stadium was sold out for the semifinals—yet others, including doubles champion Errani, warned of a “profound injustice” to their discipline. Vavassori said the victory showed “doubles players are great players and this product can grow,” while the USTA hailed surging attendance as proof of concept. Attention now turns to whether tennis’s other Grand Slams adopt a similar model or revert to the traditional 32-team event embedded within the fortnight-long schedule.