The US Open mixed doubles tournament, revamped in 2025 with a significant increase in prize money from $200,000 to $1 million, saw surprising early exits of top-ranked doubles specialists in its 2026 edition. World No. 1 doubles players Kateřina Siniaková and Henry Patten were defeated in the quarterfinals by singles players Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, who were competing as a first-time official team despite their marriage. This upset highlighted the impact of the tournament’s format change designed to attract more singles stars.

Monfils, soon turning 40 and playing his final US Open, and Svitolina admitted they had minimal doubles preparation, relying instead on their personal chemistry to advance. Other doubles experts, such as two-time defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, as well as Kristina Mladenovic and Marcelo Arevalo, were also eliminated early by singles players Mirra Andreeva, Andrey Rublev, Karolina Muchová, and Jakub Mensik. These results emphasized how the revamped format favors singles competitors.

The tournament's format overhaul introduced accelerated rules with sets played to four games instead of six, and a sudden-death point at deuce, followed by a first-to-10-points tiebreaker if needed. These quicker gameplay rules, according to players like Mensik, increase the chance of upsets and reduce the advantage traditionally held by doubles specialists. The US Open’s changes aim to increase fan engagement during the opening week by showcasing singles players in the mixed doubles draw.

In addition to format revisions, the US Open also expanded the mixed doubles field to include an eight-team qualifying round. This adjustment allowed more doubles specialists to qualify and enter the main draw, addressing critiques from last year’s champions who had condemned the initial revamp for marginalizing their discipline. Players like Karolina Muchová appreciated the mix of singles and doubles talents, citing it as a positive development for the tournament’s competitive diversity.