As the tennis world gears up for Wimbledon 2025, the buzz surrounding Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu’s upcoming mixed doubles partnership at the US Open in August has taken center stage. The two 22-year-old Grand Slam champions, both fresh off impressive first-round victories at the All England Club on July 1, 2025, have ignited excitement with their playful banter and mutual admiration. Alcaraz, the two-time defending Wimbledon champion, made headlines with a cheeky comment about his British counterpart, declaring, “I will do whatever she wants me to do,” as they prepare to team up in New York. Their chemistry, both on and off the court, has fans eagerly anticipating a dynamic collaboration.
The announcement of their US Open mixed doubles pairing, part of a revamped format designed to spotlight top players, has been a hot topic since it was revealed in June. Alcaraz, ranked world No. 2 and riding a 19-match winning streak, initiated the partnership with what he called a “special request” to Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion. “I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma,” he said after defeating Adam Walton at Queen’s Club, where Raducanu was spotted cheering him on. The British No. 1, ranked No. 38, didn’t immediately accept, taking time to consult her team. “I mean, of course, I had to ask my team if they wanted me to play,” she explained, adding with a smile, “But for me, when he asked me, I was going to say yes.”
Their bond, forged during breakout runs at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2021, has grown into a “genuine connection,” as Raducanu described it. “I’ve known him for years,” she said, recalling how they motivated each other during those early tournaments. “He was always playing the day before me, and I would see him win, and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too.” Their friendship, rooted in shared experiences as young stars navigating the pressures of professional tennis, has fueled speculation about a possible romance, though Raducanu firmly shut down such rumors. “We’re just good friends,” she said with a laugh during a pre-Wimbledon press conference, prompting the moderator to quip, “Way to wrap up!” as she dodged further questions.
On the court, their Wimbledon campaigns began with contrasting victories. Alcaraz battled through a five-set epic against Fabio Fognini, overcoming a 91°F heatwave and a mid-match pause to aid a spectator. Raducanu, meanwhile, cruised past British teenager Mimi Xu 6-3, 6-3, showcasing her return to form despite ongoing back spasms. Their recent practice session together at Wimbledon, part of a sponsor event with Evian, offered a glimpse of their dynamic. When Raducanu playfully asked Alcaraz how much of the court he could cover in New York, he responded with a grin, “I’m just gonna serve and I’m gonna pull myself away and let her play. She will cover a lot of the court. She will be the boss!” Fans on social media erupted, with one calling it “total dedication” and another praising the “mutual admiration between young champs.”
The US Open’s star-studded mixed doubles lineup, featuring pairs like Jannik Sinner with Emma Navarro and Jack Draper with Zheng Qinwen, promises high-energy matches, with a $1 million prize for the winners. Alcaraz’s deference to Raducanu’s leadership—calling her “the boss”—hints at a strategy that leverages her agility and his powerful serve. “I saw some really cool drop volleys, and I was like, ‘Yes, let’s save some of that!’” Raducanu said, impressed by Alcaraz’s flair at Queen’s. Despite her injury challenges, she remains optimistic: “I’m really happy obviously to be playing with him. We had a good time yesterday.”
Off the court, their friendship has been the talk of the tennis world. Raducanu’s presence at Alcaraz’s Queen’s Club matches, where she was seen laughing and joking with him, sparked rumors that intensified when she wore a purple training top at Eastbourne—a color associated with Alcaraz. Body language experts noted her “giddy” demeanor when discussing him, though Raducanu insists their bond is platonic. “It’s nice, and I think we really value those connections from when we were young,” she said, emphasizing the authenticity of their relationship amidst their rising fame.
As Alcaraz aims for a historic third consecutive Wimbledon title and Raducanu seeks to rediscover her 2021 magic, their upcoming partnership promises to be a highlight of the US Open. “We are gonna enjoy it for sure,” Alcaraz said, his enthusiasm infectious. With their shared history and mutual respect, this “Alcaranu” duo is poised to bring both fireworks and heart to Flushing Meadows, proving that friendship can be as powerful as any forehand.
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