This wasn’t just a victory for Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori. Their US Open mixed doubles title also felt like a victory for all doubles tennis players.

In the final, they beat third seeds Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud with a 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 scoreline. Before reaching the final, the Italian pair knocked out the American pair of Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison in straight sets. In the on-court interview, then, Vavassori declared, “ We have been on a mission .”

U.S. Open mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori hope they have earned respect for their event after overcoming a field packed with singles stars to successfully defend their title.T