In a stirring display of determination and experience, Italy’s veteran duo Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori successfully defended their US Open mixed doubles title on August 20, 2025, reclaiming the crown with a 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 win over the formidable pairing of Iga Świątek and Casper Ruud.
The 2025 edition of the mixed doubles tournament was dramatically reimagined — moved to “Fan Week” at the start of the US Open, compressed into a two-day, packed format held in the famed Arthur Ashe Stadium, and offering a substantial $1 million prize for the winners.. The revamped structure featured 16 teams: eight selected by combined singles rankings and eight granted wildcards. Despite the spotlight on singles stars, veteran doubles specialists like Errani and Vavassori demonstrated that teamwork and synergy still triumph.
A Battle of Craft vs. Power
Świątek and Ruud, both acclaimed singles players, delivered a spirited performance. After dropping the first set 3–6, they rallied in the second, breaking back late to force a deciding match tiebreaker. The Italians, however, quickly regrouped — surging ahead 4–0 in the tiebreak, and ultimately sealing the victory at 10–6.
Amid the celebration, Vavassori reflected on the match’s broader impact: “We showed today that doubles is a great product.” Errani echoed the sentiment, dedicating the triumph not just to themselves, but to all doubles players sidelined by the new format: “This one is for all the doubles players who couldn’t play this tournament”).
Tradition Vindicated in a Star-Studded Field
The tournament’s structure — designed to elevate the appeal of mixed doubles — achieved its goal of drawing crowds and attention. Singles stars such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu, and others participated, making for a high-profile showcase. Yet, the victory of a traditional pairing like Errani and Vavassori served as a powerful endorsement of doubles expertise.
This victory marks a rare back-to-back mixed doubles title defense by the same team at the US Open — a feat not seen since Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jamie Murray in 2018–19. Notably, Errani and Vavassori didn’t appear in the original ranking-based selection — they needed a wildcard to even enter, highlighting both the challenges entrants face and the magnitude of their achievement.
Setting the Stage for the Future of Doubles
Beyond the scoreline, this win carries significant symbolic weight. Vavassori emphasized the “marketing success” of the revamped format, but also called for “more visibility” for doubles. The packed stands and electric atmosphere were testament to the untapped potential of mixed doubles as a spectator favorite.
Errani and Vavassori’s triumph sends a message: while celebrity appeal can draw eyes, seasoned doubles cohesion wins matches. Their victory underscores the importance of preserving opportunities for doubles specialists — even amid tournament innovation aimed at drawing star power.
Through grit, tactical mastery, and unwavering partnership, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori stood their ground. In doing so, they not only defended their title — they defended the essence of doubles itself: collaboration, nuance, and the quiet brilliance of shared understanding on the court.
