Tennis fans were left stunned and outraged after the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics organizers revealed that the mixed doubles competition would be squeezed into a tight two-day window.
The announcement, which came as part of the official LA28 tennis schedule release, drew sharp criticism across social media. Many questioned the logic behind reducing one of the sport’s most dynamic events to such a rushed format.
Rushed Format for Mixed Doubles Leaves Many Tennis Fans Puzzled
The updated Olympic tennis schedule shows that all tennis events, including men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles, will begin on Day 5 of the Games on Jul. 19, 2028. However, what raised eyebrows was the scheduling of the mixed doubles medal matches as early as Day 6.
LA28 Olympic Tennis Event Update
The LA28 Olympic Tennis Event will comprise men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles and mixed doubles. The mixed doubles medal matches will take place on day two of the event. Full schedule:https://t.co/kEc6aAWKio
— ITF Media (@ITFMedia) July 15, 2025
That essentially turns the Olympic mixed doubles event into a two-day sprint. The move bears a striking resemblance to the revamped 2025 US Open mixed doubles format, which is also set to run over just two days, raising speculation that the Olympic event may be adopting a similarly condensed structure.
Tennis fans took to X to vent their frustration, calling the move “nonsensical.” “What is this nonsense?”
what is this nonsense? https://t.co/dzUXkkTgzJ
— liz (@Jizzjazz1980) July 15, 2025
“This makes ZERO sense,” another fan wrote.
this makes ZERO sense https://t.co/5cCSVdaBbh
— dani (@pointnadal) July 15, 2025
One user questioned the logistics outright, posting, “So mixed will be what, 4 teams total? Or how the hell do you want to do this over two days?? Why do you even wanna do this over two days???????”
So mixed will be what, 4 teams total? Or how the hell do you want to do this over two days?? Why do you even wanna do this over two days??????? https://t.co/JhTgQygh93
— Natalie (@andyigaa) July 15, 2025
Another echoed the confusion, writing, “Excuse me?! How on earth will that work?”
Excuse me?! How on earth will that work? https://t.co/4inqzoIgrp
— Foot Fault Tennis (@footfaulttennis) July 15, 2025
Fans were especially incensed at the idea of awarding an Olympic gold medal after just two days of play, with one comment reading, “The Mixed Doubles event at the OLYMPIC games will be a two-day event to win a GOLD medal. Does this really warrant a place in the Olympics, especially if they change the format to align with the US Open?”
Mixed Doubles at LA28 Reflects Trend Toward Shortened Events
The resemblance to the upcoming US Open’s overhauled mixed doubles format added fuel to the fire. This year, the US Open will showcase its mixed doubles competition during Fan Week, specifically on Aug. 19 and 20, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The previous Summer Olympics in Paris featured the mixed doubles competition over a five-day stretch.
Despite boasting a jaw-dropping roster, including top ATP and WTA singles players, the event has drawn criticism for reducing the discipline’s significance in favor of spectacle.
One fan sarcastically noted, “I mean, two days for the mixed doubles event at the Olympics, per the schedule released yesterday. Sounds like the medal will be as legit as the mixed doubles at the US Open,” while another sarcastically remarked, “Gotta appreciate how much America hates mixed doubles.”
One post summed up the sentiment: “Why is everyone suddenly trying to eliminate mixed doubles? Haven’t we suffered enough?”
MORE: Jimmy Connors Questions Tennis’ Future Amid US Open’s Star-Studded Mixed Doubles Reveal
