Jack Draper was given a lighthearted telling off by doubles partner Jessica Pegula after he referred to the revamped event at this year's US Open as "an exhibition" following their win over Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz.
It has certainly divided opinion amongst fans but the new-look US Open mixed doubles started this week, an event which consists of eight pairs of wildcards alongside a further eight pairings who qualify based on their combined individual rankings.
Coming into the tournament, former British doubles player Jamie Murray described it as a "glorified exhibition" – a term Draper used as he spoke to the media following Wednesday's clash against fellow Brit Emma Raducanu and her mixed doubles partner, Carlos Alcaraz.
Asked about the prospect of winning a major, Draper responded: “Yeah, it would mean a lot. Obviously it is like a bit of an exhibition format. It's nice to play with someone.”
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Pegula, meanwhile, was quick to address Draper's so-called 'forbidden' comment. “You shouldn't be saying that," she said. "But that's okay.”
Draper looked on in bemusement. “What? What did I say? Have a bit of fun with it," he smiled. "I don't know. I like winning. It's good to win, right?" to which Pegula responded: "Yeah. It's not an exhibition. I know what you're saying."
The 23-year-old, who is currently the British No. 1 following an impressive 2024, continued: “I'm hearing that a lot, it's a bit of an exhibition, a bit of fun, why am I so locked in. It's a good opportunity to play, do well, get a lot of points in before next week, yeah. Like, I'm enjoying being locked in. I don't know why it's a crime to be locked in.”
Pegula laughed off the remarks, adding: “No, it's fine. I'm just laughing at the 'exhibition' part.”
Here's how fans on social media reacted to the scenes.
One wrote: "Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper are the dynamic duo we didn't know we needed," while another commented: "Obviously it’s an exhibition format if it isn’t even playing full sets. He’s just saying the quiet part out loud, which is fine."
A third said: "Hilariously tough watch," and a fourth added: "Jack recovering from the 'exhibition' comment by emphasizing how 'locked in' he was."
The women's World No 4 was later asked about the US Open's mixed doubles event and where it should be placed in the tennis calendar.
“That's a good question. I don't know," she said. "I understand what he was saying, I was just kind of giving him s***. Yeah, it has somewhat the feeling it's an exho. It's not called that. But I don't really know. What are the terms?”
Jack Kenmare