The tennis world is buzzing with anticipation for the 2025 US Open, but a much-hyped mixed doubles partnership between Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, affectionately dubbed “Alcaranu” by fans, is now teetering on the edge of collapse. The duo, both Grand Slam champions, was set to electrify Flushing Meadows in the revamped mixed doubles event, scheduled for August 19-20. However, Alcaraz’s deep run at the Cincinnati Open, where he’s reached the final against world number one Jannik Sinner, has thrown their plans into chaos, with the tight scheduling leaving little room for recovery or travel.
The Cincinnati Open, adopting a new 12-day Masters 1000 format, has its men’s final slated for Monday, August 18, just 24 hours before the US Open mixed doubles kicks off in New York. Alcaraz, the world number two and a five-time Grand Slam champion, faces a grueling turnaround after a demanding tournament in Ohio, compounded by weather-related delays from severe storms earlier in the week. “I guess Alcaraz-Raducanu is very much *off*,” tennis commentator José Morgado remarked, capturing the growing skepticism about the partnership’s viability. The compressed timeline has sparked widespread frustration among fans, with one lamenting on social media, “How did they think that schedule would work? Crazy,” while another called the summer series scheduling “the worst tennis has ever had to offer.”
Alcaraz and Raducanu’s partnership was announced with fanfare in June, with the Spaniard revealing he personally requested the British star to team up. “I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma,” Alcaraz said after a match at Queen’s Club Championships. “I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me – I made that special request.” Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, took her time before agreeing, joking, “Gotta keep them on their toes.” She later shared her excitement, noting their “genuine connection” forged during their breakout runs at the 2021 US Open. “He’s so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around,” she told reporters, highlighting their long-standing friendship.
The revamped US Open mixed doubles event, designed to spotlight top singles players, promised a $1 million prize for the winners and featured a star-studded lineup, including Jannik Sinner with Emma Navarro, Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud, and Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovic. However, the scheduling conflict has cast a shadow over the event. Sinner, also in the Cincinnati final, faces similar doubts about his participation with Navarro, who has since withdrawn to compete in Monterrey. Alexander Zverev, who lost to Alcaraz in the Cincinnati semifinals while visibly struggling with an injury, is also questionable for his pairing with Belinda Bencic. “The scheduling this summer is the worst tennis has ever had to offer,” one fan vented, echoing the sentiment that the ATP and WTA failed to account for players’ physical limits.
Raducanu, already eliminated from the Cincinnati Open by Aryna Sabalenka, has been preparing for the US Open in top form, training in extreme heat to reclaim her 2021 glory. “I’m really building some momentum,” she said after a strong win over Olga Danilovic in Cincinnati. Yet, Alcaraz’s demanding schedule, which includes the Davis Cup and Laver Cup soon after the US Open, raises concerns about fatigue. Both players took extended breaks post-Wimbledon, citing exhaustion, a decision mirrored by Coco Gauff, who opted out of the mixed doubles to focus on singles. “For me, it was just because I know the free week of the US Open is already packed for me,” Gauff explained, a sentiment Alcaraz may now share.
Former British player Barry Fulcher has questioned whether big-name stars will follow through, stating, “This exhibition event will be great fun, but it is not a Grand Slam and it shouldn’t be viewed as such. I will be fascinated to see how many of those 16 pairings that were announced a few weeks ago will turn up and play.” With Alcaraz’s Cincinnati final against Sinner—a rematch of their thrilling Wimbledon clash—demanding peak physical and mental effort, the Spaniard may prioritize his singles campaign, where he’s the second seed and a favorite to challenge for the title.
As the tennis world awaits confirmation, the potential absence of “Alcaranu” is a blow to fans who were eager to see their chemistry on court. Raducanu, who described Alcaraz as an inspiration during her 2021 US Open run, may need to adjust her plans, while Alcaraz faces a pivotal decision between chasing doubles glory and preserving energy for the singles. With the US Open singles draw starting August 25, the clock is ticking, and the tennis community is left wondering if this dream team will ever take the court together.
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