At the 2025 US Open, rising American star Ben Shelton stepped onto the mixed doubles court alongside WTA doubles ace Taylor Townsend, taking part in the revamped mixed doubles event that has drawn fresh attention this year. After a promising start and a competitive run, Shelton shared candid thoughts on the experience and whether he plans to participate in mixed doubles in future majors.
A Promising Mixed Doubles Debut at the US Open
Partnering with Townsend, the duo kicked off their campaign impressively by defeating the formidable pair of Holger Rune and Amanda Anisimova in straight sets, 4-2, 5-4, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. However, their journey ended when they fell to fellow Americans Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison in a tight match, 1-4, 4-5. Despite the loss, Shelton expressed genuine enthusiasm about playing mixed doubles, a format he had previously viewed as a challenge due to the demanding Slam singles schedules, especially with traditional best-of-five sets for men’s singles. This season’s US Open featured a more compact mixed doubles schedule held in the week leading up to the main singles draw, which Shelton believes could make mixed doubles more viable for top players moving forward.
“I’d 100% Play Mixed Doubles Again”
In his pre-tournament press conference, Shelton revealed a newfound willingness to commit more seriously to mixed doubles at Grand Slams. “I enjoyed it. I love playing doubles,” he said. “I said before that my doubles career was over at Slams because of how difficult it is with the singles schedule and the longer matches. But if other Slams adapted their schedule like the US Open did, I’d think about playing again, 100%.”
Shelton also praised the fan turnout and atmosphere surrounding the event, noting that mixed doubles seemed to fill stadiums in ways not commonly seen in the past. He referenced earlier appearances with Townsend, stating that this year’s US Open mixed doubles drew even larger crowds, making it a successful showcase for the format.
The Challenge of Scheduling and Player Participation
The mixed doubles event at this year’s US Open faced challenges due to its timing immediately after the Cincinnati Open, which caused a condensed turnaround for players participating in both events. Only one withdrawal was reported, from Jannik Sinner, who fell ill—an outcome considered fortunate given the short recovery window. Top players such as Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud competed with minimal preparation time and reached the mixed doubles final, highlighting both the stamina and dedication required.
Shelton acknowledged the quick transition but expressed optimism about the event’s future. “If any Slam does something like this again, where the timing is better, it would be easier for singles players to commit,” he noted.
Shelton’s 2025 Singles Campaign and Looking Ahead to New York
Beyond doubles, Shelton’s singles performance in 2025 has been impressive. The young American, currently world number six, has only been beaten by top-tier players Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slam level this year, showing strong potential as a consistent threat at majors.
As the US Open kicks off, Shelton’s focus will shift back to his singles ambitions, beginning his campaign against qualifier Ignacio Buse. Still, his experience with mixed doubles has opened new possibilities. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if Shelton will add mixed doubles to his tournament schedule in coming years.
Conclusion
Ben Shelton’s fresh perspective on mixed doubles marks an encouraging sign for the discipline’s growth at major tournaments, especially if scheduling adaptations continue. His enthusiasm coupled with the enthusiastic crowds at the US Open may well pave the way for more top singles players to embrace mixed doubles competition in the near future. For now, Shelton’s eyes remain set on singles glory—but the doubles court may not be far behind.
