The 2025 US Open has been a whirlwind of excitement, but for tennis prodigies Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, the spotlight has extended far beyond their on-court performances. The two young Grand Slam champions, both aged 22, teamed up for the revamped mixed doubles event at Flushing Meadows, sparking a frenzy of media and fan attention that has drawn sharp criticism from tennis legend Chris Evert. Reflecting on her own high-profile romance with Jimmy Connors in the 1970s, Evert expressed relief at competing in an era before social media amplified personal scrutiny, stating, “I’m so glad I came up in the ’70s, not in this day and age.”
Alcaraz and Raducanu, who forged a friendship during their breakout runs at the 2021 Wimbledon and US Open, announced their mixed doubles partnership earlier this summer, igniting widespread excitement. Fans flooded platforms like Reddit with thousands of posts, and Google Trends reported a 2,250% surge in searches for “Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu” in the 90 days leading up to the tournament, peaking when Raducanu was spotted supporting Alcaraz at Wimbledon on July 6. However, their collaboration also fueled rampant speculation about a romantic relationship, despite both players firmly asserting they are “just friends.” Raducanu, addressing the rumors, remarked, “I guess it comes with the territory, people being so curious. I think they’re more curious about this news than any tennis results and tennis news. But I just keep to myself, my private life to one side.”
The mixed doubles event, reimagined as a fast-paced, two-day “fast-four” format with a $1 million prize, was designed to spotlight top singles players like Alcaraz, Raducanu, Novak Djokovic, and Iga Swiatek. Held the week before the singles main draw, it drew massive crowds to Arthur Ashe Stadium and prime-time coverage on ESPN. However, the format sparked controversy, with critics like British doubles star Jamie Murray calling it a “glorified exhibition” that sidelined specialists. Joe Salisbury, a former US Open doubles champion, echoed this sentiment, suggesting players were motivated by “extra prize money.” Despite the debate, Daniela Hantuchova, a 2005 mixed doubles winner, praised the initiative, saying, “We are always trying to find new initiatives to make our sport more interesting for fans. I think it is fantastic.”
On the court, Alcaraz and Raducanu’s much-hyped debut ended swiftly. Facing top seeds Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula, they fell 4-2, 4-2 in a 51-minute match. Despite moments of brilliance, like Alcaraz’s stunning around-the-net winner that left Raducanu visibly amazed, their inexperience in doubles was evident. Raducanu, who had played only three doubles tournaments in her career, struggled at the net, while Draper’s aggressive play and Pegula’s steady baseline game proved too strong. “It’s going to be tough playing against Draper and Pegula, but I will try to enjoy it as much as I can,” Alcaraz said before the match, acknowledging the challenge after a grueling Cincinnati Open final win against Jannik Sinner the previous day. The duo’s chemistry, marked by smiles and light-hearted exchanges, won over the New York crowd, even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect their efforts.
Evert’s critique focused on the off-court frenzy surrounding Alcaraz and Raducanu. Drawing parallels to her own engagement to Connors, which captivated the tennis world in 1975–76, she dismissed comparisons, stating bluntly, “No, because they’re not having a relationship.” Her romance with Connors, a fellow Grand Slam champion, was front-page news but lacked the relentless social media storm that now fuels “shipping” culture—where fans passionately speculate about celebrity pairings. A viral Instagram video of Alcaraz and Raducanu garnered 3.2 million views, with comments like “Okay when’s the wedding?” and “Love is in the court,” reflecting the fervor. Alexandra Beth Solomon, a psychologist at Northwestern University, explained this phenomenon: “Human beings have a collective fascination with the ‘will they/won’t they’ concept.” Raducanu, bemused by the attention, noted, “It’s always funny when people try to find something out, but I try not to read into it so much.”
The intense focus wasn’t limited to Alcaraz and Raducanu. British player Cameron Norrie faced bizarre questions about dating Raducanu during Wimbledon, despite his long-term partner’s presence. Raducanu’s past experiences with privacy invasions, including a stalker attending her matches, have heightened her wariness. “Wimbledon and everyone did an amazing job,” she said, thanking organizers for blocking the individual from the 2025 tournament. Alcaraz, too, has guarded his private life, telling The Sunday Times that romance is challenging as a pro player.
As Alcaraz and Raducanu shift focus to their singles campaigns, their brief doubles run highlighted their star power and the sport’s evolving landscape. The US Open’s bold experiment may have divided opinions, but it undeniably drew eyes to tennis. For Evert, who navigated fame in a simpler era, the modern media circus underscores a stark contrast. As Raducanu prepares for her singles matches and Alcaraz aims to add to his five Grand Slam titles, both remain focused on their craft, undeterred by the noise surrounding their friendship.
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