Wimbledon blended doubles champion Sem Verbeek says his “coronary heart is bleeding” over a change in format on the US Open meaning he and associate Katerina Siniakova can be unable to play there collectively.
The duo beat Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Brazilian associate Luisa Stefani 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-3) within the closing on Centre Courtroom on Thursday.
The US Open will maintain its blended doubles competitors as a standalone occasion earlier than the beginning of the Slam from this yr onwards in an try to draw high singles gamers to take part.
A number of eye-catching partnerships have been introduced for the new-look occasion, together with British primary Emma Raducanu teaming up with two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.
But it surely means the overwhelming majority of doubles specialists will miss out on enjoying within the blended competitors in New York.
“It is a disgrace they determined to do it,” Czech Siniakova, the world primary in ladies’s doubles, informed BBC Sport.
“I believe it is a advertising and marketing step, however they’re taking [away the] probability of doubles gamers.”
Dutchman Verbeek agreed, including: “As two athletes that will like to play it, it is a disgrace to clearly know that we will not.
“I am not going to actively root in opposition to it for it to not be a hit. The optimistic I can consider is that there is going to be extra individuals that may see the highest single stars earlier within the match when they’re possibly a bit extra accessible to the general public.
“However as a doubles athlete, my coronary heart is bleeding.”
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