Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori reaffirm supremacy to win US Open mixed doubles final

Over two intense days in New York, Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani left no doubt about their intentions. As the only doubles-specialist team in a tournament that had largely excluded their kind, they stepped onto the court with a mission: to prove that doubles players still matter at the highest level.

That mission reached its peak shortly before midnight inside a buzzing Arthur Ashe Stadium, when the Italian pair successfully defended their crown at the newly reformatted US Open mixed doubles championship. In a thrilling battle, they toppled the third seeds, Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, 6-3, 5-7, (10-6), showcasing extraordinary skill and composure against one of the sport’s biggest singles duos.

The victory carried extra meaning. Six months earlier, the US Open announced sweeping changes to its mixed doubles competition, shifting it to qualifying week, shortening the format, and setting entry rules heavily weighted in favor of singles stars. Errani and Vavassori, last year’s champions, earned a wildcard entry and immediately voiced their frustration at the new direction. By lifting the trophy again, they made their point the best way possible—through performance. As Errani said afterwards: “I think this one is also for the doubles players that couldn’t play this tournament.”

Throughout the draw, the Italians proved the value of teamwork, precision net play, and tactical variety—qualities that set doubles apart from singles. They stormed into the final without dropping a set, their sharp positioning and relentless pressure at the net neutralizing even the most powerful baseline games. Against Swiatek and Ruud, their chemistry and formations were pitted against the heavy groundstrokes and raw firepower of their opponents. After the singles stars forced a deciding match tiebreak, Vavassori and Errani responded with clutch play to seal their second consecutive US Open mixed doubles crown. Even Swiatek acknowledged their craft, remarking: “You proved that mixed doubles players are smarter tactically than singles players, I guess.”

Still, the reimagined event has stirred debate. While the tournament’s stated goal was to bring more attention to mixed doubles, critics argue that pushing aside doubles specialists undermines the integrity of the format. Others question whether this revamped edition should even count as a Grand Slam title, given its shortened matches and unusual eligibility criteria. The spectacle, however, has undeniably captured attention. Four days before the main US Open began, Arthur Ashe Stadium was packed to witness a final that had, until recently, been little more than an afterthought.

The tournament wasn’t without its lighter moments—such as Venus Williams, at 45, firing an ace past Andrey Rublev on match point, or Taylor Fritz struggling to return Errani’s modest 70mph serve only weeks after taming a 153mph bomb at Wimbledon. Yet, beneath the fun, this year’s edition underlined tennis’s unique potential to showcase men and women competing together on equal terms—something other global sports are only just beginning to embrace.

In the end, Vavassori and Errani emerged not just as champions, but as symbols of doubles excellence. By defeating some of the biggest names in tennis, they reaffirmed the importance of their craft while collecting a $1 million prize—an $800,000 increase from their winnings just one year ago. Once again, the best mixed doubles team in the world proved their supremacy, and reminded everyone of the beauty and value of their discipline.