Jannik Sinner Asked If Serena Williams Could Return, But Us Open Mixed Doubles Lineup Shocks Fans
The US Open mixed doubles is now in full swing, where many star singles players have been exciting the crowds in New York.
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are defending their US Open title in mixed doubles, with the duo already into the semifinals.
They take on American duo Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison, who are in the draw after Jannik Sinner withdrew from the US Open mixed doubles.
The ATP number one retired ill from his Cincinnati Open final earlier this week, and subsequently pulled out of the team event at Flushing Meadows after losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz’s fellow Cincinnati champion Iga Swiatek is also into the US Open mixed doubles semifinals, playing alongside Casper Ruud.
If Serena Williams, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal considered playing US Open mixed doubles
Swiatek and Ruud meet Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, with plenty of high-profile pairings having failed to really get going in New York.
Speaking just before the event started, the US Open’s Senior Director of Player Relations Eric Butorac revealed whether a handful of other big names were interested in taking part.
Sharing if Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer ever sent an enquiry message to be involved, he said on the Nothing Major Show: “Sinner did ask if Serena would be an option.
“I believe Serena is not back in the doping protocol. So when you come back and having been a top player.
“Guys like me could probably jump back in. But they have [a six-month process]. I don’t know if Roger or Rafa are probably in the same situation. But I did not hear from Roger or Rafa about playing.”
US Open reveal how mixed doubles pairings were set up
The legendary trio didn’t make it, but fans have been treated to a long list of iconic players at the Grand Slam.
Venus Williams and Novak Djokovic were both involved before suffering early exits, along with the hugely exciting duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu.
The US Open mixed doubles line-up shocked fans, and even though many players have changed partners since first signing up, many intriguing pairings did start the tournament.
Sharing insight into how the partnerships actually came about, former player Butorac explained: “It was mostly organic. We tried to stay out of that business.
“I did not want to be matchmaker. Most of them I would say quickly found partners on their own and you can probably identify all of those.
“The one that was weird was that I met with Sinner in Rome and he was interested in playing and he said who is available?
“I said here are four or five players that I know are looking and that have reached out and said they want to play.
“Ultimately he then chose Emma Navarro and then a week later went on the Tennis Channel and said the USTA had me play with Emma. I was like that’s not true!
“But I do think some of those players, like I think he was just looking for a little guidance. No different to how you have a looking list on site at some of the Grand Slams.
“But we wanted people to choose someone they felt comfortable with and wanted to win with quite frankly.”
Fans would have loved to have watched ATP star Sinner partner with WTA ace Navarro, but ultimately it wasn’t meant to be.
Their replacements incidentally are more than making the most of the opportunity, with home favourites Collins and Harrison causing quite the upset against fellow Americans Ben Shelton and Taylor Townsend.
