Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are back-to-back US Open mixed doubles champions, after they beat Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in the 2025 final.
In a match that ran close to midnight in New York, the Italian duo sealed the win and $1 million prize cheque in a 10-point tiebreak decider.
The title win comes after Errani and Vavassori publicly criticised US Open organisers for making the mixed-doubles a standalone event, in order to enable more high ranked players to participate.
In a joint statement they said, "making decisions just following logic of profit is profoundly wrong".
They accused organisers of "profound injustice that disrespects an entire category of players."
Errani and Vavassori dropped the mic with their criticism by retaining the title.
The 2025 prize money of $1 million (£740,000) is five times more than their winnings in 2024; $200,000 (£148,000).
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Why was this event so controversial?
After their win, Errani said; "This is for all the doubles players who couldn't play this tournament", while Vavassori added that the pair had "been on a mission,"
They were the only recognised doubles partnership in the 16-play draw, and they were not entered on ranking but given a wildcard entry.
It provoked outrage among the doubles specialists. Errani and Vavassori's wildcard entry furthered the blow, considering they were the reigning mixed doubles champions.
Their participation was called in honour of all those were excluded from the event.
Swiatek congratulated the champions saying, "I guess you proved doubles players are smarter tactically than singles players."