Nick Kyrgios has been tempted by the controversial new format of the US Open mixed doubles into signing up in a blockbuster pairing with two-time US Open women’s singles winner Naomi Osaka.

Kyrgios has been tormented by a succession of injuries in the past 2½ years and has played only six singles and three doubles matches since the start of 2023, winning one of each.

But the prospect of the short-form event, and a star-studded cast, has persuaded him to enter.

His team ticket with Osaka is just one of several intriguing pairings.

Only two of the 20 current top-10 male and female players have so far declined to put their names forward in a victory for the organisers’ rebrand, the creation of which drew condemnation from regular doubles players, including Australia’s Ellen Perez.

Men’s No.1 Jannik Sinner has paired with American women’s world No.9 Emma Navarro and men’s No.2 Carlos Alcaraz with former US Open winner Emma Raducanu. Women’s No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has linked up with men’s No.19 Grigor Dimitrov.

Men’s No.9 Holger Rune and women’s No.2 Coco Gauff are the current top-10 players not to have entered so far.

Australian No.1s Alex de Minaur and Daria Kasatkina are also missing, ahead of the close of the entry window on July 28. However, de Minaur said on Tuesday he and his British fiancee Kate Boulter, the world No.39, were planning to enter.

“We’re definitely going to be keen to try to play if they allow us to and if they want us to,” he said. “If that’s an option, then we’ll definitely be up for it.”

Sixteen teams have signed up with the top eight. The best combined singles rankings are guaranteed a place, along with eight wildcard entries.

Kyrgios and Osaka would need a wildcard, being ranked 633rd and 57th respectively. But, given the revamp is aimed at attracting more fans, viewers and sponsors there is little doubt such a high-profile duo would get one.

“Seeing the teams that have already put their names on the entry list makes us all incredibly excited,” US Tennis Association CEO Lew Sherr said.

“It shows that the players are behind what we are trying to do, and we know that the fans will love it.”

The attraction for many singles players is the shortened format and the timing, the event being played in the “fan week” before the main draw.

Most matches will be best-of-three sets played to four games instead of six, with a deciding point played at deuce. Tiebreakers would be at 4-4, while a first-to-10-points match tiebreaker would replace a third set.

The final would be played to six games but still with no-advantage scoring and a 10-point match tiebreaker.

This format, the selection criteria and the clash with singles qualifying, are why established doubles players are unhappy.

“Tell us that you think doubles players are trash, that tradition is overrated and job opportunity is a thing of the past without actually saying it,” Perez, a players’ council representative, posted on X at the time of announcement.

Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who have entered but will also need a wildcard given their singles rankings, said the changes were a “profound injustice” that disrespected doubles players. They described the new event as a “pseudo-exhibition focused only on entertainment and show”.

“Making decisions just following the logic of profit is profoundly wrong in some situations,” they added.

Mixed doubles entry list:

• Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz
• Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud
• Emma Navarro and Jannik Sinner
• Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov
• Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic
• Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios
• Qinwen Zheng and Jack Draper
• Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul
• Jasmine Paolini and Lorenzo Musetti
• Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz
• Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev
• Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe
• Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas
• Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev
• Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton
• Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori

The US Open starts on August 24.

-AAP