The search results confirm that the “new partner in crime in the US” refers to Emma Raducanu teaming up with Elena Rybakina for doubles at the Citi Open in Washington, preceding her highly anticipated mixed doubles partnership with Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.1 All relevant information, including quotes, details about their matches, and the strategic reasons for Raducanu’s doubles play, is available in the snippets.
Emma Raducanu, the young British tennis sensation, has once again captured the imagination of the tennis world, not just with her return to competitive action on American hard courts, but by forging intriguing new partnerships.2 While much anticipation surrounds her mixed doubles team-up with Carlos Alcaraz at the upcoming US Open, Raducanu has already made waves by finding a “partner in crime” closer to hand: none other than reigning 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, with whom she has begun her US hard-court swing in Washington.
This unexpected alliance for the Citi Open women’s doubles draw has generated considerable buzz, showcasing Raducanu’s strategic commitment to honing her all-around game, especially her net play. It marks a significant shift for the 22-year-old, who has historically focused primarily on singles. Raducanu herself has been vocal about the benefits of venturing into doubles. “I think the time I spent on the doubles court for sure helped me for my first round here, and I think it can improve my volley skills,” she reflected, following her opening singles victory in Washington. She elaborated on how this practice translated into match play: “Today I picked off a few great volleys, I wasn’t really thinking, but it happened, like, naturally and it was instinctive, and that could have maybe been a part of playing some dubs.”
The pairing with Rybakina is particularly compelling given their past. Their sole competitive singles encounter, three-and-a-half years ago in Sydney, saw Rybakina deliver one of the most dominant performances against Raducanu, a resounding 6-0, 6-1 victory. Despite this history, the two Grand Slam singles champions appear to have developed a strong rapport off the court, even engaging in shared practice sessions in the US capital, underscoring the friendly nature that often exists between competitors at the highest level.
Their debut as a doubles team was a hard-fought battle against the experienced duo of Olivia Nicholls and Tereza Mihalikova. After dropping the first set 2-6, Raducanu and Rybakina rallied, clinching the second set in a tie-break (7-6[4]) and then securing a dramatic match tie-break victory (11-9). This comeback win, characterized by their infectious energy and visible on-court chemistry, won over the crowd and showcased Raducanu’s growing composure under pressure.4 Fans quickly dubbed them “ER²” on social media, praising their instant connection. One delighted commenter remarked, “That was more than a match, it was a reminder of why we watch this sport.” For Raducanu, the win was a tangible sign of progress, “playing freely, laughing between points and closing out under pressure.” Rybakina, in a characteristically understated fashion, simply captioned a post-match photo with “Survivedd.”
This venture into women’s doubles at the Citi Open serves as an immediate prelude to a much-hyped mixed doubles collaboration that has already captivated the tennis world. Raducanu is set to team up with Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz for the revamped mixed doubles event at the US Open in August.5 The prospect of these two young, charismatic Grand Slam champions joining forces has been described as a “blockbuster” pairing with immense commercial and fan appeal.
Alcaraz himself confirmed their partnership, admitting he had to be patient for Raducanu’s agreement. “She took a while,” he playfully revealed. Raducanu later clarified her delay: “Gotta keep them on their toes! I mean, of course, I had to ask my team if they wanted me to play. But for me, when he asked me, I was going to say yes, I just had to kind of go through the formality of asking my coach, so I didn’t just make the decisio6n.” Alcaraz, excited about the collaboration, emphasized their existing bond: “I know Emma since a really long time ago, so we know each other. I have really good relationship with her. So it’s just going be interesting. We are going to enjoy it, for sure. We will try to win. But obviously it’s going to be really, really f7un.”
This strategic embrace of doubles is a deliberate move by Raducanu to enhance her game. Her limited prior doubles experience, including a first-round exit at the Citi Open three years ago, has been largely set aside this season. A successful quarter-final run at Queen’s Club recently with fellow Brit Katie Boulter seems to have solidified her belief in the format’s benefits, particularly for her volleying and overall court coverage.
As Emma Raducanu navigates her highly anticipated return to consistent form, these new “partners in crime” – both on the WTA and ATP circuits – symbolize a fresh chapter in her career. Whether paired with the power of Rybakina or the explosive talent of Alcaraz, Raducanu’s ventures into doubles are not just about winning titles, but about evolving as a player and rediscovering the joy of competition, all while captivating a global audience.
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