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Australian Open rules out mixed doubles changes after US Open furore / Photo: © AFP/File
Australian Open rules out mixed doubles changes after US Open furore
The Australian Open on Thursday ruled out following the US Open's move to radically overhaul the mixed doubles competition and play it before the main tournament starts.
US tennis chiefs announced on Tuesday that mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows would become a standalone event in the week leading up to the main draw, with matches best of three sets, but played to just four games.
The dramatic decision was blasted by some, with Australian former doubles world number one Paul McNamee saying it devalued the title.
Last year's US Open mixed doubles winners, Italian duo Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, called the changes a "profound injustice".
Tennis Australia said it had no plans to follow suit, citing the popularity of mixed doubles at the opening Grand Slam of the year.
"Mixed doubles is a fantastic showcase for tennis, and one of the only opportunities in world sport where men and women can compete alongside and against each other," it said in a statement.
"Our whole summer of tennis -- culminating with the Australian Open -- is about creating more job opportunities for the players, providing more competition on the biggest stage and more prize money.
"We are always exploring new ways to elevate the sport, and while promoting men's, women's and mixed doubles is a key priority for AO 26, we have no plans to change the current format of the mixed doubles championship at the AO."
US Open organisers said the "groundbreaking" move was designed to entice more singles players to mixed doubles -- potentially limiting opportunities for doubles specialists.
The event this year will be made up of just 16 teams, with eight earning direct entry based on their combined singles ranking alongside eight wildcard entrants.
Each match will be best-of-three sets, but with sets abbreviated to first to four games. There will be no-advantage scoring, tiebreakers at four-all, and a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set.
The final will be best of three sets to six games, but also featuring no-advantage, tiebreaks at six-all, and a 10-point match tiebreaker instead of a third set.
This year's singles tournament will be staged from August 24 to September 7.
US Open organisers had already announced another change to the tournament, with the maindraw now starting on a Sunday -- following a similar move by the Australian Open.
P. Rasmussen--BTZ
