US Open revamps mixed doubles format, adds $1 million prize to incentivize "biggest names in the sport"

Thiem will officially bid adieu to the Grand Slam stage at Flushing Meadows, having announced in May that he will retire from professional tennis on home soil in Vienna come October. The 30-year-old snapped a 0-3 mark in major finals when he valiantly rallied from two sets down to edge Alexander Zverev in the 2020 championship behind closed doors during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Osaka also triumphed that year when she battled past Victoria Azarenka for her second US Open crown in three years. The four-time major winner recently returned to the Top 100 in her comeback season, though will be looking to improve upon second-round showings at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and first-round departure at the Australian Open.

Thiem fell in the first round of the Australian Open and second round of qualifying at Roland Garros earlier this year (did not play Wimbledon).

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Stan Wawrinka and Bianca Andreescu round out the past title holders. Wawrinka, 39, captured his third Grand Slam trophy eight years ago when he knocked off Novak Djokovic. Andreescu denied Serena Williams in a magical 2019 run to become Canada’s first major singles champion.

Other recipients include a resurgent Amanda Anisimova, who won the US Open Wild Card Challenge on the back of a terrific runner-up finish in Toronto this past week. Americans McCartney Kessler, Alexa Noel, Iva Jovic, Chris Eubanks, Learner Tien, Zachary Svajda and Matthew Forbes also earned spots.

France’s Alexandre Muller and Chloe Paquet, along with Australia’s Tristan Schoolkate and Taylah Preston, round out the selections as part of USTA’s reciprocal agreements with the FFT and Tennis Australia.

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