The tennis world is abuzz with anticipation as Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, two of the sport’s brightest stars, prepare to take the court together in the revamped 2025 US Open mixed doubles championship. This blockbuster pairing, featuring the 2021 US Open women’s singles champion and the five-time Grand Slam men’s singles winner, is set to face top seeds Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula in a first-round clash that promises electrifying action. Scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Flushing Meadows’ iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, their match is third in the order of play, with an expected start time around 2:00 PM local time (7:00 PM BST). Despite concerns over Alcaraz’s tight schedule following his Cincinnati Open final, the Spaniard has confirmed his commitment, saying, “I will try to be at my best tomorrow after the trip to New York and I’m probably going to sleep late. But it’s going to be fun and great to have those matches.”
The US Open’s mixed doubles event, reimagined as a standalone two-day spectacle on August 19-20, has drawn a star-studded field, including Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovic, Jannik Sinner with Katerina Siniakova, and Venus Williams with Reilly Opelka. Held before the singles tournament begins on August 24, the event features a fast-paced format: best-of-three sets to four games (six in the final), no-advantage scoring, and a 10-point tiebreak in lieu of a third set. With a $1 million prize for the winners—a fivefold increase from 2024—the tournament has lured top singles players, though it’s sparked debate among doubles specialists like Jamie Murray, who called it a “glorified exhibition.” Daniela Hantuchova, a 2005 mixed doubles champion, countered, “We are always trying to find new initiatives to make our sport more interesting for the fans. I think it is fantastic.”
Raducanu and Alcaraz, both 22, share a “genuine connection” forged during their breakout 2021 US Open campaigns. “I’ve known Emma since a long time ago – I have a really good relationship with her so it’s going to be interesting,” Alcaraz said, recalling how he reached out via their agents to propose the partnership. Raducanu, who kept him waiting before agreeing, added, “It is nice and I think, for all of us, we really value those connections that we had from when we were young.” Their chemistry, evident in shared moments like Raducanu cheering Alcaraz at Queen’s Club, has fans dreaming of on-court magic. “I saw some really cool drop volleys and I was like: ‘Yes, let’s save some of that!’” she said, hinting at the flair Alcaraz brings to their team.
For UK viewers, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis (channel 407) and Sky Sports+ (channel 410 for Sky Glass, 412 for Sky Q, or 416 in Ireland), starting at 4:00 PM BST. Fans can also stream via the Sky Go app or NOW TV with a sports membership. In the US, ESPN will provide primetime coverage, capitalizing on a $1.5 billion deal for exclusive rights through 2037. Standard Sport’s live blog offers real-time updates for those following the action online. The day’s play begins at 11:00 AM local time (4:00 PM BST) with matches like Naomi Osaka and Gael Monfils versus Lorenzo Musetti and Caty McNally, followed by Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina against defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.
The Alcaraz-Raducanu duo faces a formidable challenge in Draper and Pegula, who earned top seeding after withdrawals reshuffled the draw. A potential second-round clash against Djokovic and Danilovic looms if they advance. Despite Alcaraz’s limited doubles experience—his last ATP doubles was in 2022—and Raducanu’s ongoing recovery from back spasms, their star power and shared history make them a team to watch. “We are going to enjoy for sure, I’ll try to put my doubles skills on and we’ll try to win,” Alcaraz vowed. As Flushing Meadows prepares for this high-octane opener, fans are poised for a thrilling display of talent, teamwork, and perhaps a touch of that “magic” Raducanu hopes to harness from her partner’s game.
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