The tennis world is buzzing with anticipation as Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish sensation and five-time Grand Slam champion, revealed the story behind his blockbuster mixed doubles partnership with Britain’s Emma Raducanu for the 2025 US Open. Dubbed “Alcaranu” by enthusiastic fans, this pairing promises to be a highlight of the revamped mixed doubles event, set to unfold on August 19-20 at Flushing Meadows. Alcaraz, fresh off a first-round victory at Queen’s Club, shared how he personally reached out to Raducanu, playfully declaring that she’ll be “the boss” on the court. As the US Open reimagines its mixed doubles format to showcase tennis’s biggest stars, this dynamic duo is poised to deliver a spectacle of skill, charisma, and chemistry.
Alcaraz’s journey to teaming up with Raducanu began with a bold idea from the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which transformed the mixed doubles into a standalone event during Fan Week, a week before the main singles draw. The new format, featuring 16 teams and a $1 million prize for the winners, aims to attract top singles players, and it has succeeded spectacularly. Nine of the top 10 men and women in the ATP and WTA rankings, including Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and Naomi Osaka, have signed up. Alcaraz, a two-time US Open singles champion, was immediately intrigued. “The tournament came with this idea of playing the mixed doubles. It’s a very nice idea because it’s the week before and it’s something different that we’re not used to,” he said, his excitement palpable after defeating Adam Walton 6-4, 7-6 at Queen’s.
When it came to choosing a partner, Raducanu was Alcaraz’s first and only choice. “I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma,” he admitted, revealing that he made a “special request” through their agents to team up. The 2021 US Open women’s singles champion, now 22, didn’t immediately say yes, adding a touch of suspense to the story. “She took a while,” Alcaraz laughed, clarifying, “Not much, but she had to think a bit. But it wasn’t in a minute.” Raducanu’s hesitation may stem from her limited doubles experience—she recently debuted in women’s doubles with Katie Boulter in London—and a previous mixed doubles withdrawal with Andy Murray at Wimbledon 2024. Yet, her admiration for Alcaraz, whom she avidly watched during his Wimbledon title defense last summer, likely sealed the deal.
The “Alcaranu” partnership is more than a strategic alliance; it’s rooted in a genuine connection. “I’ve known Emma for a really long time and I have a really good relationship with her,” Alcaraz shared, hinting at a camaraderie that could translate into on-court magic. He’s already embracing a supportive role, humorously vowing to let Raducanu lead. “She’s going to be the boss,” he grinned, a nod to her fierce competitiveness and leadership. This dynamic promises to captivate audiences, especially with the event’s fast-paced format: best-of-three sets to four games, no-ad scoring, and a 10-point tiebreak instead of a third set, with the final played to six-game sets.
The star-studded entry list amplifies the event’s allure. Jannik Sinner pairs with Emma Navarro, Novak Djokovic teams with Olga Danilovic, and Aryna Sabalenka joins forces with Grigor Dimitrov. Britain’s Jack Draper, who will play alongside Zheng Qinwen, graciously acknowledged Raducanu’s choice of Alcaraz. “A wise person once told me you should find the best partner, and that’s what she did in Alcaraz,” Draper said after his 6-3, 6-1 win at Queen’s. “I don’t blame her at all for that. I think she will have a lot of fun playing with Carlos.” However, not all reactions have been positive. Doubles specialists like Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, last year’s champions, criticized the format as a “profound injustice” that sidelines dedicated doubles players, while Kristina Mladenovic called it “terribly shocking.”
For Alcaraz and Raducanu, the focus is on fun and competition. Their combined star power—Alcaraz’s relentless energy and Raducanu’s historic US Open triumph as an 18-year-old qualifier—makes them a fan favorite, though they’ll need a wildcard to secure a spot, as only the top eight teams based on combined singles rankings earn direct entry by July 28. “We will try to win. But obviously it’s going to be really, really fun,” Alcaraz emphasized, his enthusiasm infectious. As they prepare to light up Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong courts, “Alcaranu” embodies the US Open’s bold vision to reinvigorate mixed doubles, offering fans a thrilling prelude to the Grand Slam and a chance to witness two young champions chase glory together.
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