Former tennis star Tim Henman has sharply criticized the newly revamped US Open blended doubles competitors, describing the match as “disrespectful” and arguing it shouldn’t carry Grand Slam standing.
The previous British No. 1, now a member of Wimbledon’s board of administrators, shared his considerations in a wide-ranging interview with Telegraph Sport.
Serena on stress taking part in doubles with Venus
The occasion, restructured this 12 months to attract extra consideration from singles followers, included prime stars comparable to Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Jack Draper, and Emma Raducanu.
Organizers lured them in with an eye catching $1 million prize and the promise of shortened matches utilizing “quick 4” guidelines, first to 4 video games per set, no-ad scoring, and a match tie-break within the third.
Regardless of the thrill surrounding the singles names, it was the established duo of Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori who in the end triumphed.
The Italian pair, who defended their title, made a press release by defeating Swiatek and Casper Ruud within the ultimate. Their win carried extra weight as they’d beforehand voiced frustration over doubles specialists being sidelined from the revamped format.
Henman calls it a “glorified exhibition”
Henman was blunt in his criticism of the idea, insisting the adjustments undermine the worth of a Grand Slam title.
“Am I excited to look at these gamers on court docket? Completely,” Henman mentioned. “Nevertheless I disagree that, a: it is a grand slam occasion, and b; with taking it exterior of the 2 weeks (of the match) as a result of I feel that’s disrespectful for the tour occasions which can be going down on the WTA and ATP Tour within the week earlier than the US Open.
“We’re attempting to get the game to collaborate higher. For my part, it is not useful. I might make it an exhibition.”
The previous world No. 4 argued that by altering each the format and the entry system, the occasion devalues doubles altogether. “This match very a lot devalues the title when it adjustments the scoring system, and it fully adjustments the entry system,” Henman added.
His feedback echoed the emotions of different gamers. Jack Draper, who partnered with Jessica Pegula, even slipped up by calling the occasion an “exhibition” throughout an on-court interview, earlier than rapidly backtracking.
A rocky begin for the experiment
The organizers’ plan almost unraveled earlier than the competitors even started. A number of marquee gamers, together with Emma Navarro, Tommy Paul, and Jannik Sinner, withdrew on the final minute to avoid wasting their power for the primary US Open draw.
Sinner‘s withdrawal got here simply hours after the Cincinnati ultimate, forcing Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison to be slotted in simply earlier than play started.
Whereas the revamped format introduced further star energy and fan consideration, Henman and others concern that such adjustments might set a harmful precedent for the game.
For traditionalists, the experiment might appeal to headlines, however at the price of the credibility that makes Grand Slam titles so significant.
