US Open’s Mixed Doubles Shake-Up: Will Federer and Nadal Come Out of Retirement for a Fan Week Spectacle?

The US Open just dropped a game-changing bombshell—Mixed Doubles is moving to Fan Week with a drastically altered format, and Andy Roddick believes this could open the door for some of tennis’ biggest legends to step back onto the court. Could we really see Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or even Serena Williams back in action for a high-profile doubles cameo?

The US Open just dropped a game-changing bombshell—Mixed Doubles is moving to Fan Week with a drastically altered format, and Andy Roddick believes this could open the door for some of tennis’ biggest legends to step back onto the court. Could we really see Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or even Serena Williams back in action for a high-profile doubles cameo?

“I will tell you this, I want to put this out there right now,” Roddick said with a grin. “There are some recently retired players… I don’t know about a little Roger and Serena action.”

And what about Rafael Nadal, who remains on the comeback trail but is winding down his career?

“I don’t know what Rafa is doing right now. I am just saying, let’s throw a bomb of enthusiasm into this thing! This is just me wishing, I don’t know.”

The prospect of seeing Federer and Nadal teaming up—or even clashing in mixed doubles—would set the tennis world ablaze. Imagine Serena Williams or even Venus Williams making a surprise return. If the revamped format makes it more of a fun, exhibition-style event, the possibility of legendary cameos becomes tantalizingly real.

Not Everyone is on Board—Doubles Stars Slam the Decision

While Roddick and others see this as an exciting shake-up, established doubles players are furious. Many are calling the move a blatant dismissal of professional doubles players’ careers, reducing their opportunities on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Jan Zielinski was particularly blunt, blasting the lack of player input.

“No communication with the players, no thought behind what it means to some people’s careers, no respect to the history and traditions,” Zielinski wrote. “Sad to see.”

French doubles star Edouard Roger-Vasselin echoed the frustration, labeling the decision “terrible” for professional doubles players who rely on Grand Slam mixed doubles for ranking points and career opportunities.

Australian doubles specialist Ellen Perez went even further, taking to social media to call out the US Open’s decision in scathing terms:

“Tell us that you think doubles players are trash, that tradition is overrated and job opportunity is a thing of the past without actually saying it.”

A Risky Move or a Brilliant Innovation?

The new format undeniably shifts the focus away from traditional doubles and towards a more entertainment-driven experience. The wildcard system means that high-profile names—perhaps even celebrity pairings—could grab the spotlight, transforming Mixed Doubles into a fan-favorite spectacle rather than a competitive discipline.

For fans, the idea of Federer, Nadal, Serena, or even Andy Murray stepping onto the doubles court in front of roaring crowds during Fan Week is a dream scenario. But for professional doubles players, it’s yet another reminder of how their discipline often takes a back seat to singles stars.

Whether this move reinvigorates mixed doubles or sparks ongoing controversy, one thing is clear: The US Open has just shaken up the tennis world in a major way.