The U.S. Open overhauled its mixed doubles tournament in hopes of drawing the top singles players. The defending champions don’t intend to move out of the way so easily.

The thought of the top men’s and women’s singles players teaming up is one that has often intrigued tennis fans around the world.

Draper and American Jessica Pegula went into the event -- played for the first time in the week before the main tournament -- as the top seeds and eased through to the last four on Tuesday, with a run which included beating Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz in the first round.

Everyone has been talking about the revamped US Open mixed doubles but the other Grand Slams are unlikely to follow suit soon.

The new Mixed Doubles format for the 2025 US Open has allowed more of the top singles players to participate in the event, and on Tuesday, Aug. 19 in New York, the Mixed Doubles tournament begins.

Before playing US Open mixed doubles together, Jess Pegula and Jack Draper had hardly spoken. Yet they pulled off two victories on Tuesday.

Grand Slam singles champions such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys will be playing for extra money — $1 million to the winning duo — and trying to get their hands on a trophy in the U.

The U.S. Open, the final Grand Slam of the 2025 season, brings a full slate of storylines, top seeds and a packed schedule of play. Here’s everything to know before it begins.

The winning duo will take home a $1 million prize, which is higher than most prize purses for mixed doubles major tournaments. The 16 teams will play over two days. The first round and quarterfinals take place on Tuesday inside the main show courts at the USTA National Tennis Center. The semifinals and championship match will be on Wednesday night.