The tennis world is buzzing with anticipation as Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz prepare to team up for the revamped mixed doubles event at the 2025 US Open, a high-stakes tournament kicking off August 19 at Flushing Meadows. The announcement of their partnership, dubbed “Alcaranu” by enthusiastic fans, has stolen the spotlight, with the pairing of two former US Open champions generating unprecedented excitement. However, the road to their collaboration wasn’t without a playful pause, as Alcaraz revealed Raducanu “took a while” to accept his special request to join forces. Raducanu, with her trademark wit, responded at the Eastbourne Open, shedding light on their long-standing friendship and the thrill of sharing the court with the Spanish superstar.
Alcaraz, the world No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion, initiated the partnership, driven by a belief that he “couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma.” Speaking after his first-round win at Queen’s Club, he shared, “I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me. Yeah, I made that special request.” With a laugh, he added, “She took a while. No, not that much, not that much. But obviously she had to ask, and she had to think a little bit. But it wasn’t immediate, so…” Raducanu, the 2021 US Open women’s singles champion, addressed the delay with a cheeky grin at Eastbourne, where she’s seeded seventh. “Gotta keep ’em on their toes,” she joked, before affirming her enthusiasm: “Of course I was going to say yes.” She explained that Alcaraz’s message caught her by surprise, but the chance to play alongside a friend she’s known since their junior days was irresistible. “He messaged me and asked me to play. I was very surprised & excited. I’ve known him for such a long time. To share the court together is something really special,” she told reporters.
Their bond, forged during their breakout runs at the 2021 US Open, adds depth to their partnership. Raducanu reflected on their connection, saying, “It is nice and I think, for all of us, we really value those connections that we had from when we were young. Because when you become a bit more known or a bit more successful, you just find yourself reverting back to people you knew from a young age and because that’s a real genuine connection.” This camaraderie was evident when Raducanu, managing back spasms, made a trip to Queen’s Club on June 21 to cheer Alcaraz’s 6-4, 6-4 semifinal win over Roberto Bautista Agut. Alcaraz, unaware of her presence during the match, beamed afterward: “I saw on social media she came up to watch my match. I’m just glad. I was focused on the match. I didn’t see her afterwards. I am just glad that she came to support me, to watch my match.” He vowed to return the favor, saying, “I would love to come and watch her. I’m watching her matches from the TV every time that I can. So watching her for real could be fun.”
The US Open’s mixed doubles, reimagined as a star-studded event with a $1 million prize, has drawn top talent, including Jannik Sinner with Emma Navarro, Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovic, and Aryna Sabalenka with Grigor Dimitrov. Alcaraz, playfully conceding that Raducanu will be “the boss” on court, is eager to bring his doubles experience from partnering Rafael Nadal at the 2024 Olympics. Raducanu, a doubles novice who recently debuted with Katie Boulter at Queen’s, admitted, “I didn’t know what I was doing” in doubles, but her chemistry with Alcaraz shone in a viral US Open interview where their coin-flip banter left them in stitches. Despite their star power, former doubles No. 1 Rennae Stubbs called them the “weakest pair” in the draw, citing their limited doubles pedigree, a view that only fuels their underdog spirit.
As Raducanu faces American Ann Li in Eastbourne’s first round, with a potential clash against Ons Jabeur looming, she’s managing her health carefully after withdrawing from Berlin due to back issues. “I have good days and bad days with it,” she said, emphasizing her focus on Wimbledon, where she’s Britain’s No. 1. Alcaraz, fresh off his second Queen’s title, is the Wimbledon favorite. Their US Open partnership, blending Raducanu’s grit and Alcaraz’s flair, promises a spectacle. “We are going to enjoy it for sure,” Alcaraz said, setting the stage for a thrilling “Alcaranu” adventure in New York.
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