As the 2025 US Open looms, Emma Raducanu is generating excitement not only for her singles campaign but also for her high-profile partnership with Carlos Alcaraz in the revamped mixed doubles event. The 22-year-old British star, who made history as the 2021 US Open pedestalOpen champion, is set to team up with the five-time Grand Slam winner for a thrilling two-day mixed doubles tournament on August 19-20, just before the main draw begins on August 24. While Raducanu is brimming with enthusiasm for the event, she has singled out American powerhouse Ben Shelton as a daunting challenge, particularly his blistering serve. “Ben Shelton’s serve, that’s probably one in particular,” she said with a wry smile, acknowledging the intimidating prospect of facing his 143 mph aces, which clocked the fastest serve at last year’s US Open.
The mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows has been reimagined this year as a high-energy spectacle during Fan Week, boasting a $1 million prize for the winning pair. Featuring first-to-four-game sets, no-ad scoring, and a 10-point tiebreak in lieu of a third set, the format promises fast-paced action. Raducanu and Alcaraz, both former US Open singles champions, secured a wildcard entry due to their combined rankings falling short of direct qualification. Their partnership, rooted in a friendship formed during their breakout 2021 US Open runs, adds a layer of intrigue. “I have a really good relationship with her, so it’s going to be interesting,” Alcaraz said, revealing that he made a “special request” through their agents to team up, playfully calling Raducanu “the boss” of their duo.
Raducanu’s apprehension about Shelton’s serve is well-founded. “It’s very difficult to return their serves,” she admitted, noting that facing male players like Shelton or Reilly Opelka, whose towering serves she jokingly likened to coming from a “stepladder,” is a unique challenge for WTA players in mixed doubles. Shelton, paired with Taylor Townsend, is one of several formidable teams, including Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud and Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovic, set to compete on Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums. Despite her nerves, Raducanu is relishing the opportunity. “It’s such a unique opportunity,” she said, excited to test her skills in this star-studded format.
Raducanu’s preparation for the US Open has been bolstered by a strong 2025 season. After battling injuries in 2023, she has climbed to No. 9 in the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR), reflecting her recent form. A semi-final run at the Washington Open, where she also reached the doubles semi-finals with Elena Rybakina, and a competitive third-round loss to Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati highlight her resurgence. “I’m just trying to focus on my game and keep improving,” Raducanu said, crediting her new coach, Francisco Roig, formerly Rafael Nadal’s mentor, for sharpening her game. Her doubles experience in Washington has prepared her for the quick reflexes needed in mixed doubles, though she remains wary of the power disparity. “It’s really freaky,” she said of the media scrutiny she’s faced since 2021, yet her mental toughness shines through: “I am tough.”
The mixed doubles event has stirred debate, with doubles specialists like Kateřina Siniaková criticizing its focus on singles stars. “When two world number ones in doubles don’t get into the tournament, there’s probably nothing more to say about it,” Siniaková remarked. However, the USTA’s bold move aims to elevate the event’s profile, with ESPN broadcasting the matches to a global audience. Raducanu and Alcaraz, with their combined star power and chemistry, are poised to make a strong case for the title, provided they can handle serves like Shelton’s. As Raducanu prepares for both the mixed doubles and her singles campaign, where she is unseeded at No. 39 in the WTA rankings, her blend of experience and ambition positions her as a key figure to watch in New York. The US Open’s reimagined mixed doubles event promises to be a thrilling prelude to the main draw, with Raducanu and Alcaraz ready to light up the courts.
Leave a Reply