The US Open has unveiled a revamped 16-team mixed-doubles competition that will take place 19–20 August, the week before the main draw, and award a record US$1 million to the champions. Eight pairs qualified on the strength of their combined singles rankings, while eight more received wild cards. Tournament organisers have attracted several high-profile singles players in an effort to raise the discipline’s profile. Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, 45, returns to Flushing Meadows alongside 6-foot-11 American Reilly Opelka, who is rebuilding his ranking after wrist and hip surgeries. Other headline pairings include Jannik Sinner with Katerina Siniakova, Frances Tiafoe with Madison Keys, and Taylor Fritz with Elena Rybakina. Moving the event to Fan Week gives players at least four days’ rest before singles play and shortens matches to best-of-three sets played to four games with no-ad scoring and a 10-point tiebreaker in lieu of a third set. Officials hope the condensed format, star power and seven-figure prize will draw larger crowds to a historically overlooked discipline.