Picture this: American ATP star Taylor Fritz stepping on the court in New York with 2022 Wimbledon queen Elena Rybakina. Who could’ve imagined it several months ago when Fritz first made a thoughtful wish? “I just asked Elena if she wants to play mixed at the US Open.” In March, he hoped to team up again with the Kazakh tennis sensation after their mixed doubles stint at the Tie Break Tens. The duo ultimately won that campaign. So it only made sense for them to collaborate at the biggest stage possible. “Hopefully she says yes,” the American remarked. And guess what? The US Open fulfilled Fritz’s wish last month, forming a dream team with Rybakina. And now it seems he’s got nothing else but a single target on his mind with the US Open mixed doubles event getting a complete overhaul.
“The US Open has long strived to find innovative and new ways to make the game more accessible and entertaining for our fans,” said tournament director Stacey Allaster last month. “We believe that this reimagined US Open Mixed Doubles Championship will do exactly that, with the top men and women players in tennis competing side-by-side in a fast-paced, highly competitive format.” The changed format will now have reduced sets (from six games to four). The final, however, will be of six games per set. Plus, there will be no ad-scoring. And the prize money for the winning pair has been boosted to $1 million. It’s a jump of 400 percent compared to 2024’s figure of $200,000.
With a huge prize lurking, it becomes obvious for competing teams to give hundred percent on the court. And for Fritz, the objective remains no different. Yes, the mixed doubles will feel more like an exhibition extravaganza with renowned singles players in pairs, but the game will still remain the same according to the ATP World No.4. Speaking during a pre-event conference ahead of his Canada Open campaign, Fritz revealed, “Everyone wants to win like it’s any tournament. And with the prize money with it being obviously like a real title as well, I think just the field it’s like, you know, we’re all competitors. We’re not showing up there to just mess around.”
Image Credits: Taylor Fritz/Instagram
Expressing his mindset before the mixed doubles event, he underlined, “I think we’re all, can’t speak for everyone but, I know Elena and myself are definitely there to win.” Considering they have already won an exhibition title back in March, one should take his words seriously. They could emerge as the potential US Open winners.
Previously, too, he’s reiterated a similar sentiment when asked about his pursuits of mixed doubles format. Fritz replied that he will give, “extreme, 100%,” to win the format.
But what about his singles ambitions at the US Open? Last year, he missed out on that coveted trophy after failing to overcome an Italian force.
Taylor Fritz backed to shine at the US Open according to top coach
Back in September 2024, World No.1 Jannik Sinner broke American hopes and Taylor Fritz‘s slam dream. Although the World No.4 showed phenomenal performance throughout the event, he couldn’t overcome Sinner’s challenge. The latter simply thrashed Fritz in straight sets and won his first US Open title with a score line of 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. But guess what? Fritz was anything but dejected.
In the post-match interview, the American reflected, “It is a great feeling to have gotten to this point, knowing that I’m playing well, but I’m playing very within myself, and I feel like it’s repeatable.”
He added, “I know that there’s still a lot of room for improvement. And something I’ve said throughout my entire career, whether it’s when I won my first ATP point or I won my first challenger or I made my first round of 16 or whatever it is, I’ve always said once I do something once, I just feel a lot more confident in being able to do it again.” After his recent run at the Wimbledon, where he made it to the semis, Fritz’s spirits must be sky high.
Meanwhile, WTA star Jasmine Paolini’s ex-coach Renzo Furlan thinks Fritz could be one to watch out for at the 2025 US Open. While he mentioned that “Jannik and Carlos are favorites,” Furlan didn’t rule out the American contenders. “I expect a lot from the Americans, Paul and Fritz,”
Do you think Fritz can finally make his slam dream come true this season at the Flushing Meadows? And what’s your take on his mixed doubles prospects with Rybakina? Let us know in the comments below.
The post Taylor Fritz Eyeing $1 Million Dream With Elena Rybakina Ahead of US Open Showdown appeared first on EssentiallySports.