The Italians had been determined to prove the value of doubles players and "made their points clear". But so did the US Open organisers. Their aim was to "create a bigger stage" for a format "deemed obsolete" and the interest it has subsequently generated is "undeniable".

The U.S. Open’s largest court was packed for the final three matches of the reimagined mixed doubles tournament Wednesday night, which was made up of mainly top singles players for the first time.

Some of the biggest stars in men's and women's tennis took the court together at the US Open for reimagined mixed doubles competition.