'Proven them wrong': Todd Woodbridge thanks mixed doubles winners, questions tennis' leadership

Todd Woodbridge. (Getty/Kelly Defina)

Australian doubles legend Todd Woodbridge has expressed his gratitude towards US Open mixed doubles champions Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani, explaining that their victory was "important" in proving the sport's leaders wrong.

The Italian pairing went back-to-back in New York in a tense final against No.3 seeds Casper Ruud and Iga Świątek, eventually crossing the finish line victorious in a 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 result in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Vavassori and Errani received a wildcard into the main draw, with the tournament announcing in February that the mixed doubles event would change to a two-day format, inviting top-ranked singles players in favour of doubles specialists.

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The decision to exclude the majority of doubles players ignited controversy and debate, with many questioning the legitimacy of the unprecedented event.

"I think this one is for all the doubles players that couldn’t play this tournament. I think this one is also for them," Errani mentioned during her winners speech.

Woodbridge, a former doubles world No.1 and six-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, posted a photo of Vavassori and Errani holding the trophy on Instagram in a passionate post, adding that they had “shown the world that doubles is a skill in its own right”.

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Vavassori, 30, and Errani, 38, ensure they pocket a combined A$1.54 million, which is a significant spike from the A$300,000 they split at last year’s US Open.

The likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu competed in the mixed doubles main draw.

WTA doubles No.2 and 2025 Wimbledon mixed doubles winner Kateřina Siniaková was forced to withdraw due to her partner, Jannik Sinner, pulling out because of illness.

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