Wimbledon combined doubles champion Sem Verbeek says his “coronary heart is bleeding” over a change in format on the US Open which means he and companion Katerina Siniakova shall be unable to play there collectively.
The duo beat Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Brazilian companion Luisa Stefani 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-3) within the remaining on Centre Courtroom on Thursday.
The US Open will maintain its combined doubles competitors as a standalone occasion earlier than the beginning of the Slam from this 12 months onwards in an try to draw high singles gamers to take part.
A number of eye-catching partnerships have been introduced for the new-look occasion, together with British primary Emma Raducanu teaming up with two-time Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.
But it surely means the overwhelming majority of doubles specialists will miss out on enjoying within the combined competitors in New York.
“It is a disgrace they determined to do it,” Czech Siniakova, the world primary in girls’s doubles, informed BBC Sport.
“I believe it is a advertising and marketing step, however they’re taking [away the] probability of doubles gamers.”
Dutchman Verbeek agreed, including: “As two athletes that will like to play it, it is a disgrace to clearly know that we won’t.
“I am not going to actively root towards it for it to not be successful. The constructive I can consider is that there is going to be extra folks that may see the highest single stars earlier within the match when they’re perhaps a bit extra accessible to the general public.
“However as a doubles athlete, my coronary heart is bleeding.”
