The USTA says the changes will showcase doubles to more people. The discipline's stars fear that they will not get to be part of the show.

The U.S. Open mixed doubles competition will now be played before the singles main draw, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said on Tuesday as it announced an overhaul of the category's format and an increase in prize money.

The U.S. Open's plan to make its mixed doubles championship a smaller, shorter event aimed at persuading top singles players to compete was criticized Tuesday by doubles specialists who figure to get shut out of the new format.