NEW YORK — Italian doubles specialist Andrea Vavassori didn't wait long to voice his frustration after a first-round mixed doubles victory at the US Open on Thursday. Following a straight-sets win alongside countrywoman Sara Errani, Vavassori took a very public swipe at tournament organizers over what he perceives as a severe lack of respect shown to doubles specialists.
Vavassori and Errani, the No. 8 seeds, defeated the American duo of Nicholas Monroe and Sabrina Santamaria 6-4, 6-4 on Court 5. However, the victory was overshadowed by Vavassori's post-match comments, which highlighted a growing tension between tournament schedulers and players who specialize in the doubles disciplines.
The crux of Vavassori's complaint centered on the court assignment and scheduling of the match. In a tense on-court interview, he expressed his disbelief at being placed on an outside court for a match featuring a Grand Slam champion and a top-seeded team. His remarks were pointed and delivered without hesitation, signaling a deep-seated frustration that has been simmering among the doubles community for some time.
A Champion's Platform Used for a Protest
The moment was made more potent by the presence of his partner, Sara Errani. A former world No. 5 in singles and a winner of five Grand Slam doubles titles, including the 2012 US Open and 2013 French Open in women's doubles, Errani is a proven champion. For a team of their caliber to be relegated to a small outer court was, in Vavassori's view, an egregious oversight. He used the platform of the post-match interview not to celebrate, but to protest.
Speaking directly into the microphone, Vavassori didn't mince words: "We are the eighth seed, Sara is a former champion here, and we are playing on Court 5. It's a little bit disappointing, to be honest. We are playing good, we are a good team, and we deserve a little bit more respect, I think, from the tournament."
The comments were met with a mix of applause and murmurs from the crowd. Errani stood beside him, nodding subtly in agreement, her silence speaking volumes. The interview quickly concluded, but the message had been delivered loud and clear to the USTA and the millions watching around the world. This was not an isolated gripe but a symptom of a larger issue within the sport.
The Broader Context of the Doubles Debate
Vavassori's outburst is the latest in a long line of complaints from doubles players who feel marginalized by the tennis ecosystem. While singles play commands the lion's share of attention, prize money, and prime television slots, doubles is often treated as a secondary attraction. Key points of contention include:
- Court Assignments: marquee doubles matches are frequently scheduled on smaller, remote courts with limited seating.
- Scheduling: matches are often held at inconvenient times, sometimes late in the day after long singles matches have concluded.
- Prize Money Disparity: the financial gap between singles and doubles success remains vast, despite doubles providing significant entertainment value.
- Lack of Promotion: tournaments often fail to promote their doubles draws with the same vigor as the singles events.
This environment has led to a feeling that doubles specialists are second-class citizens in their own sport. For a player like Vavassori, who is ranked inside the world's top 20 in doubles and has reached a Grand Slam final (2023 French Open mixed doubles), the perceived lack of respect from a premier tournament like the US Open is a particularly bitter pill to swallow.
Tournament Organizers' Perspective and Precedent
From the tournament's perspective, scheduling is an immensely complex puzzle. With hundreds of matches to schedule across dozens of courts over two weeks, prioritizing the marquee singles matches that drive television ratings and ticket sales is a business necessity. The first few days of a major are a logistical nightmare, with the singles draws taking clear precedence. A tournament spokesperson declined to comment on Vavassori's specific remarks but reiterated the organization's commitment to showcasing "world-class tennis across all disciplines."
However, this is not the first time the US Open has faced criticism for its treatment of doubles. In recent years, other top players have voiced similar concerns. The Bryan brothers, arguably the greatest doubles team of all time, often advocated for better treatment of the discipline. The issue extends beyond New York, with players at other Slams and ATP/WTA events occasionally speaking out about poor scheduling and a lack of visibility.
What made Vavassori's comments particularly newsworthy was their blunt and public nature. It is rare for a player to use the immediate victory celebration—a moment typically reserved for thanking fans and sponsors—to launch a criticism of the very event they are competing in. This act underscored the depth of his feeling and his willingness to potentially risk ruffling feathers to stand up for what he believes he and his peers deserve.
A Winning Start Amidst Controversy
Despite the off-court drama, the Italian pair's performance was commanding. Vavassori's powerful serving and net play complemented Errani's legendary returning ability and tactical guile perfectly. They broke serve once in each set and saved the only break point they faced on their own delivery. It was a efficient, professional victory that demonstrated why they are considered contenders for the title.
The win sets up a second-round clash with the winner of the match between Marcelo Arevalo (El Salvador)/Zhang Shuai (China) and Jamie Murray (Great Britain)/Taylor Townsend (USA). Whether that match receives a more prominent court assignment will now be watched with keen interest, as many will see it as a direct response from organizers to Vavassori's public challenge.
The Reaction from the Tennis World
The tennis world reacted swiftly on social media. Many fellow doubles players and fans expressed support for Vavassori, echoing his sentiments about the need for greater respect and visibility for their discipline. The hashtag #RespectDoubles began circulating among fans, highlighting a grassroots desire for change. Other commentators, however, suggested that while his frustration was understandable, the public nature of his complaint was unprofessional and detracted from his victory.
Regardless of the mixed reaction, Vavassori succeeded in igniting a conversation that many in the doubles world feel is long overdue. By speaking out, he gave a voice to the silent frustration of dozens of professional players who dedicate their lives to the craft of doubles but feel their efforts are not rewarded with commensurate prestige or consideration from the biggest tournaments in the sport.
The ball is now in the US Open's court. Tournament director Stacey Allaster and her team face a delicate balancing act. They must manage the commercial realities of running a multi-million dollar event while also acknowledging the valid concerns of a significant portion of their player field. How they handle scheduling for the latter stages of the doubles events, and specifically for the Vavassori/Errani team if they continue to advance, will be closely scrutinized.
For Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani, the focus now returns to the court. Their campaign for a mixed doubles title continues, but it will now be carried out under a different spotlight. They are no longer just contenders for a trophy; they have inadvertently become standard-bearers in a larger fight for recognition, proving that sometimes the most powerful shots in tennis aren't struck with a racket, but are delivered with a microphone.