As the tennis world reflects on another captivating season, Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is championing a bold new concept that could redefine the sport’s traditional format. Raducanu envisions Wimbledon adopting a fresh mixed doubles event inspired by an innovative tournament recently introduced at the US Open. Her call highlights a growing desire among players and fans alike to explore formats that inject excitement and accessibility into one of tennis’s most historic stages.

Raducanu’s rise to prominence was nothing short of extraordinary. In 2021, as a 19-year-old qualifier, she captured global attention by winning the US Open without dropping a set—a feat that echoed past breakthroughs in tennis history, such as Arthur Ashe’s 1968 US Open win as the first African American male champion and Boris Becker’s 1985 Wimbledon triumph at just 17. Raducanu’s achievement not only underscored her talent but also her potential to influence the game beyond the baseline.

The mixed doubles event at the recent US Open was a pioneering effort, blending star power and innovation. It featured a $1 million prize for the victorious duo and employed a dynamic ‘Fast4’ scoring system—shorter sets designed to enhance pace and drama. Under this format, sets are played to four games instead of six, and tiebreaks are introduced at three-all, trimming match duration and maintaining intensity. The event saw marquee players, including Raducanu herself and rising sensation Carlos Alcaraz, pairing to face off against other top talents. This approach aimed to inject fresh energy into the tournament’s lead-up week, engaging fans with marquee matchups outside the traditional singles spotlight.

Raducanu passionately advocates for this model’s expansion across other Grand Slam events. “Whether it is the exact same format or not, something like this would be a great addition to the Slams,” she told BBC Sport. “It gets everyone involved the week before the tournament and builds a lot of talk around the tournament. I think it’s great for the sport in general.” Her vision taps into an important trend: the sport’s efforts to balance rich tradition with modern demands for faster, fan-friendly formats.

While tennis has long revered its Grand Slam tournaments—Wimbledon since 1877 is the oldest and perhaps most tradition-bound—other majors have shown varying openness to change. The Australian Open, for example, has a history of embracing innovation. Tennis Australia introduced 10-point match tiebreaks for deciding sets well before other Slams, a rule now also adopted by the US Open. They have experimented with night sessions and player-friendly event scheduling to make the tournament more appealing to broader audiences. These measured shifts reflect a willingness to evolve while respecting the sport’s heritage.

By contrast, Wimbledon and the French Open, the latter established in 1891, have historically resisted radical modifications, steadfastly preserving their classical scoring systems and match lengths. Wimbledon’s grass courts and unique dress code enrich its character but also reinforce a conservative ethos that resists sudden change. The French Open, famously played on slow red clay, holds a similarly traditional stance, emphasizing endurance and tactical play over entertainment spectacle.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) wields considerable influence and resources to pioneer new ventures such as the US Open mixed doubles event. Their capacity to offer substantial prize money and market novel formats puts them at the forefront of tennis innovation. However, it remains uncertain whether these initiatives will gain universal acceptance, especially by institutions deeply rooted in history.

Despite this, Raducanu’s optimism offers a glimpse of what the future might hold. She highlights how the mixed doubles event succeeded in rallying fans and players alike, breaking down barriers between singles hierarchies and fostering a sense of community and excitement. “I think it was a huge success. So many fans got involved, tuned in, and it got a lot of attention,” she noted. “It was a great idea, and I had a lot of fun on the court playing with Carlos.”

Raducanu’s enthusiasm resonates beyond the court. As a fresh face with a global following and a remarkable story, she embodies a new generation eager to nurture tennis’s traditions while pushing the sport forward. By embracing innovation, tennis can maintain its elite status but also become more vibrant and accessible, attracting younger fans and new markets.

Historically, tennis has experienced moments of radical transformation. The Open Era, which started in 1968, allowed professionals to compete in Grand Slam events for the first time, revolutionizing the competitive landscape and increasing the sport’s commercial appeal. More recently, the introduction of Hawk-Eye technology and electronic line-calling has modernized officiating, enhancing fairness without detracting from tradition.

Raducanu’s proposal for blended formats within iconic tournaments could be the next evolution in this legacy—an exciting experiment that balances respect for tennis’s rich past with the need to innovate for the future. As she puts it, “Every serve has its own spin,” and perhaps this new mixed doubles event will be the shot that serves up a fresh direction for tennis worldwide. In a sport where history and innovation often collide, Raducanu’s vision may well be the rallying call that sparks the next great chapter.