US Open Preview: Sinner vs Alcaraz, Wide-Open Women's Field, and a Brand-New Mixed Doubles Format

04 August 2025

The tennis world turns its attention to New York City for the US Open, a tournament known for its unique, in-your-face atmosphere. Ben Rothenberg, a long-time tennis observer, describes the event as a reflection of its host city: "loud, unapologetic, it's commercial... very in-your-face." This distinct energy is what makes it a favourite for many players and fans, and the championships often crown champions who can embrace the "New York vibe."

The New Duopoly: Sinner and Alcaraz
The men's game has been dominated by a burgeoning rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have already delivered two incredible Grand Slam finals this year. Rothenberg believes it's "very likely" we will see a third blockbuster final between them in New York. The level of play they showcased at the French Open was "so far beyond what anyone else in men's tennis right now seems even close to being capable of."
Rothenberg suggests that Sinner is the clear favourite heading into the tournament. He points out that the Italian has been "markedly better" in recent months and holds a historical advantage on hard courts, having won the last three major titles on hard courts. While acknowledging the competitive fire of the rivalry, Rothenberg leans toward Sinner, believing he is more "methodical" and has shown greater consistency in the lead-up matches.
The conversation also touches on Novak Djokovic's pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam. At 38, Djokovic's ability to sustain his physical level over seven best-of-five-set matches is a major challenge in this "athletically demanding" era of tennis. Despite this, Rothenberg notes that Djokovic remains a formidable threat and is "well-positioned to take advantage" of any upsets in the draw.
Outside of the top two, Rothenberg identifies a few other names who could challenge for the title. Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton are at the top of that list. He sees Shelton as having immense upside with his "raw weapons and strength," while Fritz recently proved his ability to challenge the best by taking a set off Alcaraz at Wimbledon. He also mentions Britain's Jack Draper, who won Indian Wells this year and has been consistently performing well at majors.

An Unpredictable Women's Field
The women's draw is the most wide open it has been in recent years, with a different champion at each of the last three majors. Rothenberg's favourites for the US Open include:
Aryna Sabalenka: The clear world number one and defending champion, who Rothenberg says is a "slight favourite" to retain her title.
Coco Gauff: The American is now ranked number two in the world, having reached two major finals this year, and is a bona fide star of the game.
Iga Świątek: After a "ruthless" and "unbeatable" performance at Wimbledon, Rothenberg believes Świątek is a "scary one" if she can get ahead of steam.
Madison Keys: An unexpected but deserved winner of the Australian Open, Keys proved her major-winning credentials by beating both Świątek and Sabalenka en route to the title.
Jessica Pegula: The finalist last year and another strong American contender who has a good track record at the tournament.
The unpredictability of the women's game, while potentially challenging for casual fans, is what makes it so exciting for Rothenberg. The best-of-three-set format means that upsets can happen quickly, creating compelling storylines. He also touches on the return of Naomi Osaka, who won two titles in New York, and the comeback of the 45-year-old Venus Williams, whose presence is a "really cool" story that transcends generations.

Mixed Doubles Reimagined
In a new twist for this year's tournament, the US Open has completely reinvented its mixed doubles event. To breathe new life into the format, entry is now based on singles rankings, effectively locking out many of the traditional doubles specialists. This change, alongside a significant increase in prize money, has attracted a host of top-tier singles players.
Rothenberg explains that this shift reflects a broader trend in sports, with many disciplines, including at the Olympics, introducing new mixed formats. Tennis, with its long history of men and women competing side by side, is ideally suited for this innovation. The new format will feature familiar names like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic, which Rothenberg believes will be a "much more successful business product." While the change has generated some controversy from doubles players who feel their opportunities have been taken away, the new format is expected to bring a lot of excitement to the event.
For Ben Rothenberg's full, exclusive insights on the US Open, the new mixed doubles tournament, and the future of tennis, make sure to listen to This Sporting Planet's podcast and watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.