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.

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.

Tennis legend Paul McNamee is not a fan of the U.S. Open’s “reimagined” format for mixed doubles. McNamee, who won four Grand Slam men’s doubles titles and was ranked No. 1 in the world in doubles, posted on social media: “Sets to 4 games in a Grand Slam?