NEW YORK — In a bizarre and frustrating turn of events at the US Open, Czech doubles star Katerina Siniakova was forced to withdraw from the mixed doubles competition despite being the world No. 2 in that discipline. The reason? Her scheduled partner, Italian men's star Jannik Sinner, made a late decision to pull out of the event, leaving Siniakova without a teammate and, due to a strict tournament rule, without a chance to find a replacement.
Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion and men's world No. 1, had initially entered the mixed doubles draw with Siniakova, creating a formidable pairing that many considered a favorite for the title. However, after a grueling five-set victory over fellow top-10 player Grigor Dimitrov in the men's singles quarterfinals, Sinner's team prioritized his recovery and his ongoing quest for a second Grand Slam singles title.
The decision, while understandable from a singles-centric perspective, had immediate and severe consequences for Siniakova. Under Grand Slam rules, once the draw is made, a player who withdraws cannot be replaced. This meant that Siniakova, a seven-time major doubles champion, was automatically scratched from the competition. She took to social media to express her disappointment, writing: "Not the way I wanted my US Open to end… unfortunately, these are the rules."
The situation highlights a recurring and often criticized aspect of Grand Slam tournaments: the inflexibility of the rules surrounding late withdrawals in doubles, particularly mixed doubles, which is often treated as a secondary event by singles stars. Siniakova, despite her elite status as a dedicated doubles specialist, was left powerless, a casualty of a system that offers no recourse for an abandoned partner.
The Domino Effect of a Withdrawal
Sinner's withdrawal from mixed doubles was part of a larger strategic move. Following his marathon match against Dimitrov, which lasted nearly four hours, his focus shifted entirely to his singles semifinal clash against Carlos Alcaraz. This led to a double withdrawal, as he also pulled out of the men's doubles tournament, where he was partnering with fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego. This left Sonego in a similar, though less publicly noted, predicament.
For Siniakova, however, the sting was particularly sharp. Unlike many top singles players who dabble in doubles, mixed doubles is a core part of her identity and success on tour. She is an Olympic gold medalist in the event, winning alongside countrymate Barbora Krejcikova at the Tokyo Games. Being forced out without hitting a ball was a bitter pill to swallow.
The rule that sealed her fate is designed to maintain the integrity of the draw and prevent last-minute substitutions that could create unbalanced matchups. However, critics argue it unfairly punishes the innocent party—the player who remains committed to competing. Siniakova’s case was a prime example of a world-class athlete being sidelined by a decision entirely out of her control.
Siniakova's Frustration and the Wider Issue
In her social media post, Siniakova's message, while diplomatic, conveyed clear frustration. She added, "It’s a shame because I was really looking forward to playing and I love playing mixed doubles." The incident sparked a debate among fans and pundits about whether the rules should be amended to allow for "lucky loser" entries or alternate pairs in such scenarios, similar to the system used in singles qualifying.
The challenges often faced by dedicated doubles specialists include:
- Their schedules and fortunes are often tied to the fitness and priorities of singles players.
- Grand Slam rules prioritize the singles draw, leaving doubles and mixed doubles with less flexibility for contingencies.
- There is a significant disparity in prestige and prize money, making singles the undisputed focus for the top athletes.
This is not an isolated incident. Throughout tennis history, top singles players have frequently withdrawn from doubles events at the later stages of a major to conserve energy, leaving their partners in the lurch. The unique aspect of Siniakova's situation was her stature; it is rare for a current world No. 1 in doubles (she and Krejcikova hold the top spot in women's doubles) to be forced out of another draw in this manner.
The Tournament's Stance and Precedent
A US Open spokesperson, when asked about the rule, reiterated that the regulations are applied consistently across all Grand Slam tournaments and are clearly outlined in the rulebook. The stance is that changing the rules for one situation would set a problematic precedent and could lead to accusations of favoritism or manipulation of the draw later in a tournament.
However, this rigid application has been questioned before. Some have proposed solutions, such as:
- Implementing a late withdrawal fine that is paid directly to the abandoned partner.
- Creating a list of alternate teams who could be inserted into the draw if a pairing withdraws before the first round.
- Moving the mixed doubles entry deadline later to allow singles players more time to assess their physical condition.
None of these solutions are perfect, but Siniakova's forced exit has renewed calls for the Grand Slam Board, which governs the four major tournaments, to review the policy. The goal would be to find a balance between maintaining a fair draw and showing respect for the professionals who specialize in the doubles game.
Looking Ahead: A Lesson Learned?
"The rules are the rules, but sometimes the rules produce an outcome that feels fundamentally unfair." Whether this specific case will be the catalyst for change remains to be seen, but it has certainly amplified the conversation about protecting players who are left without a partner through no fault of their own.