The tennis world has been buzzing with excitement over the blockbuster pairing of Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz for the revamped 2025 US Open mixed doubles championship. However, their highly anticipated partnership is now in jeopardy due to a scheduling clash with the Cincinnati Open final, creating a logistical nightmare for the two Grand Slam champions. With the mixed doubles event set to kick off on August 19, just one day after the Cincinnati final, fans are left wondering if the duo will take the court together in New York.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open women’s singles champion, and Alcaraz, the 2022 men’s singles winner, have captured the imagination of tennis enthusiasts with their decision to team up for the reimagined mixed doubles tournament. The event, now held in the week before the singles competition on August 19-20, boasts a $1 million prize for the winners and a star-studded lineup, including pairings like Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Naomi Osaka and Gael Monfils, and Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic. The format has been revamped to feature first-to-four-game sets with no-ad scoring and a 10-point tiebreak for deciding sets, designed to attract top singles players like Raducanu and Alcaraz.
The duo’s chemistry, both on and off the court, has been a focal point of excitement. Raducanu, 22, spoke warmly of their longstanding friendship, which began during their breakout runs at Wimbledon in 2021. “He’s so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around,” she said of Alcaraz, highlighting the genuine connection they forged as young players rising through the ranks. Alcaraz, also 22, echoed her enthusiasm, playfully noting, “She’s going to be the boss,” when asked about their dynamic on the court. He added, “I’ve known Emma since a long time ago – I have a really good relationship with her so it’s going to be interesting. We are going to enjoy [it] for sure.”
However, the Cincinnati Open’s extended schedule has thrown a wrench into their plans. Unlike traditional Masters 1000 events that conclude on Sundays, this year’s men’s and women’s finals are set for Monday, August 18, leaving players with a mere 24-hour window to travel from Ohio to New York and prepare for the mixed doubles first round. Alcaraz, who faces world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Cincinnati final, is caught in a particularly tight spot. The two-hour flight to Flushing Meadows, combined with the physical and mental toll of a high-stakes final, raises serious doubts about his ability to compete. “I’m ready to take the challenge,” Alcaraz said of his Cincinnati matchup, but the looming US Open commitment complicates his recovery.
Raducanu’s team remains hopeful that Alcaraz will join her on court, with both camps reportedly in close contact to navigate the logistical hurdles. Should they play, they face a formidable first-round challenge against top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, the latter a fellow British No. 1 and Raducanu’s childhood friend. A potential second-round clash against Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic or Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev further underscores the tournament’s competitive depth.
The scheduling conflict has sparked broader concerns among players, with Pegula criticizing the “crushing” two-week format and calling for better coordination between tournament organizers. Other top players, including Sinner, who is paired with Katerina Siniakova, and Swiatek, teamed with Ruud, face similar dilemmas, with their Cincinnati commitments threatening their mixed doubles participation. The situation highlights the intense demands on top players, who must balance recovery, travel, and preparation for the US Open singles starting August 25.
For Raducanu, the mixed doubles event is a chance to build on her recent form, despite ongoing back spasms that forced her withdrawal from the Berlin Open. She has been managing her condition with treatments like acupuncture and muscle stimulation, expressing cautious optimism: “It’s OK. I have good days and bad days with it.” Alcaraz, meanwhile, skipped the Canadian Open to nurse a minor injury post-Wimbledon, making his participation in the mixed doubles even more uncertain as he prioritizes his singles campaign.
The tennis community eagerly awaits whether Raducanu and Alcaraz can overcome the odds to showcase their “Alcaranu” magic in New York. Their partnership, rooted in a shared history and mutual respect, promises to be a highlight—if they can make it to the court. As Raducanu lightheartedly dismissed romance rumors, saying, “We’re just good friends,” the focus remains on their potential to dazzle in doubles. Will they defy the scheduling chaos and compete for the $1 million prize, or will the Cincinnati final prove too great a barrier? Only time will tell, but the tennis world is rooting for this dynamic duo to shine.
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