Coco Gauff US Open decision raises eyebrows after rejecting event

Coco Gauff has signed up for a US Open exhibition match, even though she decided to skip the revamped mixed doubles tournament this week. A former world No. 1 in doubles, Gauff would have been one of the favourites to win the mixed title, no matter who she paired up with.

However, the American's name was noticeably absent from the entry list. She later explained that she decided to skip the two-day tournament because she was too busy and thought it would use up "mental energy."

But Gauff has now decided to join forces with tennis legend Andre Agassi for a one-off mixed doubles exhibition match in Flushing Meadows on Thursday night, once the reimagined mixed tournament has concluded.

The world No. 3 is one of several past and present tennis players taking part in the 'Stars of the Open' event on Arthur Ashe Stadium this week, days before the main draw gets underway.

Gauff and Agassi will contest the first match of the evening, taking on Venus Williams and John McEnroe. Later, Joao Fonseca and Juan Martin del Potro will face Andy Roddick and Alex Michelsen.

In the last two matches, married tennis couple Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina will come up against Flavio Panetta and Flavio Cobolli. And Dana Mathewson and Jack Sock meet Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Casey Ratzlaff.

Both Williams and Monfils also entered the reimagined mixed doubles tournament this week.

Williams partnered up with Reilly Opelka, but they lost their opening match to Karolina Muchova and Andrey Rublev. Monfils joined forces with Naomi Osaka, losing to Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti.

Gauff often competes in exhibition matches in the week leading up to the US Open. The mixed doubles event was moved to Tuesday and Wednesday in 'Fan Week', and all matches until the final use a shorter scoring format.

It seemed like the perfect opportunity for the world No. 3 to get back on the doubles court. Gauff already has a Grand Slam doubles title, winning the French Open with Katerina Siniakova last year, but she did not put her name down for mixed doubles.

"For me, it was just because I know the free week of the US Open is already packed for me, for sponsor things, and it was just like a whole other thing," Gauff said, explaining why she skipped the new-look event.

"I'm very competitive, if I were to lose, I would not be happy. So, I didn't want to waste mental energy on that."

Fans will still get to see the 2023 singles champion in action during Thursday night's exhibition match. Meanwhile, Gauff's old doubles partner Jessica Pegula is through to the mixed doubles semi-final alongside Jack Draper.