With the US Open’s mixed doubles format having concluded, those who scolded the competition for its lack of doubles specialists will be feeling rather smug right now.
After all, of the 16 teams that took part, they were the only one comprised of out-and-out doubles players, and they stormed to the title with minimal fuss.
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, last year’s champions at this event before it was completely revamped, have repeated their feat.
However, they were forced to beat some very different-looking teams on their way to this prize, exemplified no greater than by their fellow finalists: Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud.
Few can argue against the intrigue having players like this brought, but in the end, those who have dedicated their time to this specific element of the sport were always bound to come out on top.
Andrea Vavassori reacts to winning the US Open mixed doubles title
As noted though, interest in the mixed doubles has been at an all-time high, whether these players like it or not.
The mere fact that John McEnroe felt compelled to speak to Vavassori ahead of the final should exemplify that, as the Italian would reveal in his post-tournament press conference.
Asked to sum up what they had achieved, he began by admitting: “Yeah, I think tonight was amazing. The atmosphere was crazy. The last match was unbelievable also the level. I think so many good points, so many highlights.
“I think these two days will be really important for doubles in the future because we show that doubles players are great players. I think this product can grow in the future. There were so many legends in the past who played doubles.”
He then offered one example: “I was speaking with John McEnroe in the locker room. He said to me, for me was really important for him to come to me and say, You’re doing something good for doubles. So I think it will be really important in the future to know that it’s a product that can grow. With better marketing can become something better.”
The organiser of this event recently explained how Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu’s partnership was formed, in what was one of the most highly-anticipated partnerships of the event.
Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani defend doubles players at the US Open
Although Vavassori and Errani will feel great personal triumph in claiming yet another US Open title, what this win means for the wider doubles community is arguably just as important.
After all, with so many star singles pairings, there was a real fear that they could embarrass players who had dedicated their entire lives to a specific format within the sport.
That was a notion swiftly dispelled once the competition got underway, and this Italian pairing looked completely untroubled throughout.
The inclusion of so many big names will only help boost their game, but in the end, it marks a really important win for the doubles community that a doubles team claimed this event.
That being said, it does not discredit the presence of the singles stars either.
