Venus Williams, aged 45, has received a wild‑card entry alongside towering American partner Reilly Opelka to compete in the revamped mixed doubles draw at the 2025 U.S. Open, set for August 19–20 in New York City. Williams’s inclusion adds both star power and historical weight to a tournament format redesigned to attract high-profile singles players.
Grand Slam Legend Returns to Flushing Meadows
A seven-time singles Grand Slam champion and two-time mixed doubles major winner (1998), Williams’s return marks her 25th U.S. Open appearance—her first in mixed doubles since earlier in her storied career. She last competed in March 2024, and recently became the oldest woman in over two decades to win a WTA Tour singles match, at the Washington D.C. Citi Open. The U.S. Open will likely represent one of her final Grand Slam appearances in any discipline.
Tournament Format and Structure
The reimagined mixed doubles event will take place over two days, just before the singles tournament begins, during U.S. Open Fan Week on August 19 and 20. The tournament field is capped at 16 teams, including eight direct‑entry duos based on combined singles rankings, and eight wild‑card pairs—six already announced, plus two more to come.
Matches use a fast‑format: short sets to four games, no-ad scoring, tiebreaks at four-all, and a 10‑point match tiebreak instead of a deciding third set. The final will be played to six games, with no-ad scoring, tiebreakers at six-all, and a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set a format designed to appeal to spectators and broadcast scheduling… The winnig team will earn a $1 million prize—an unusually large purse for mixed doubles, signaling the U.S. Open’s aim to elevate the event’s profile.
Star-Studded Field
Among the eight direct‑entry teams are elite singles stars: Emma Navarro with Jannik Sinner; Iga Świątek with Casper Ruud; Elena Rybakina with Taylor Fritz; Belinda Bencic with Alexander Zverev; and Jessica Pegula with Tommy Paul, among others.
Wild‑card entries have brought even more marquee matchups: Emma Raducanu teams with Carlos Alcaraz; Madison Keys with Frances Tiafoe; Taylor Townsend with Ben Shelton; and reigning champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori return to defend their 2024 title. Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka join this elite group as one of the most high-profile wildcard pairings.
What Venus Brings to the Event
Williams’s longevity and monumental career achievements—seven Grand Slam singles titles, 14 women’s doubles major titles, two mixed doubles majors (1998), and three Olympic gold medals—make her one of the most decorated players ever to take the court in mixed doubles. Her return to competition, even after more than a year away, adds a profound narrative layer to the field.
The pairing with Reilly Opelka, known for his powerful serve and imposing presence, promises an intriguing blend of experience and new energy. Williams may also seek a wildcard for the singles draw, though that remains undecided until later in the summer.
Critical and Fan Responses
The updated format has sparked mixed reactions. Traditional doubles specialists have criticized the shortened structure and no-ad scoring for prioritizing entertainment over competitive integrity. Critics argue that the fast‑four format and compressed schedule dilute the prestige of Grand Slam mixed doubles. Nevertheless, the USTA’s intent is clear: to spotlight big-name players early in the tournament and draw viewership ahead of the singles draw.
Significance and Broader Context
Williams’s participation illustrates the broader trend of using star power to rebrand and uplift mixed doubles. As one of the sport’s most iconic figures, her presence—alongside other legends and current elite players—signals the USTA’s strategy to blend nostalgia with contemporary star appeal. It also reinforces the U.S. Open’s goal of turning mixed doubles from an afterthought into a headline attraction.
In sum, Venus Williams’s return to the U.S. Open mixed doubles stage is emblematic of the tournament’s big‑picture overhaul. Her wild‑card entry with Reilly Opelka, the innovative short‑form format, and a field packed with top‑10 singles stars make the 2025 mixed doubles event one of the most anticipated and talked-about matchups in recent memory. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely not only for the on‑court drama but also for what the experiment might mean for the future of Grand Slam doubles.
