The tennis world is abuzz with anticipation and uncertainty as the 2025 US Open mixed doubles tournament approaches, but storm clouds are gathering over one of the most exciting pairings announced: Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz. This dynamic duo, both former US Open singles champions, has captured fans’ imaginations with their upcoming collaboration in the revamped mixed doubles event, set to take place August 19-20, just before the main singles draw begins on August 24. However, recent high-profile withdrawals and scheduling conflicts have cast doubts on whether the “Alcaranu” partnership, as fans have dubbed it, will even take to the court.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has shaken things up for 2025, introducing a bold new format for the mixed doubles tournament. Unlike traditional Grand Slam mixed doubles, this event will be a standalone, two-day spectacle held during qualifying week, with a hefty $1 million prize for the winning team. The goal is to attract tennis’s biggest stars, and the initial entry list delivered: world No. 1 Jannik Sinner paired with Emma Navarro, Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovic, Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud, and Aryna Sabalenka with Grigor Dimitrov, among others. Yet, the star-studded lineup is already fraying at the edges, with several high-profile teams pulling out, raising fears that Raducanu and Alcaraz might follow suit.
The Raducanu-Alcaraz partnership has been a focal point of excitement since its announcement. Both 22 years old, the British and Spanish stars share a “genuine connection” forged during their breakout runs at the 2021 US Open, where Raducanu clinched the women’s title and Alcaraz made waves by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas. “I’ve known him for years,” Raducanu shared, recalling how they bonded during that tournament. “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.” Alcaraz, who initiated the partnership, admitted, “I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma,” though he laughed that she “took a while” to agree, as she consulted her team before saying yes. “Gotta keep ’em on their toes!” Raducanu quipped, showcasing her playful side.
Despite the excitement, challenges loom large. The tournament’s timing, sandwiched between the Cincinnati Open and the US Open singles, poses a logistical nightmare for players like Raducanu and Alcaraz, who are prioritizing their singles campaigns. If either reaches the Cincinnati final, they’ll have mere hours to travel to New York and prepare for the doubles event. Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the Canadian Open suggests he’s likely to play Cincinnati, increasing the risk of a scheduling clash. Raducanu, meanwhile, is fighting to crack the top 32 for a US Open singles seed, adding pressure to her pre-tournament schedule. “Both players’ singles hopes could end up hampering their progress as an incredibly popular doubles team,” one observer noted, reflecting the growing concern.
The mixed doubles event itself has sparked controversy. Critics, including last year’s champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, have called it a “pseudo-exhibition” that prioritizes entertainment over fairness, sidelining doubles specialists for high-profile singles stars. The tournament will feature 16 teams, with eight selected based on combined singles rankings and eight via wildcards. Raducanu and Alcaraz, despite their star power, may not automatically qualify based on rankings, making them reliant on a wildcard—though few doubt the USTA would pass up the chance to include the fan-favorite pair.
Recent withdrawals have only heightened the uncertainty. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa, a high-profile tennis couple, pulled out amid reports of their breakup, while Jack Draper and Zheng Qinwen also withdrew due to injury concerns. With 25 teams now vying for the 16 spots, including new entries like Katie Boulter and Alex de Minaur, and Venus Williams with Reilly Opelka, the competition is fierce. Yet, the fear persists that more stars, including Raducanu and Alcaraz, might opt out to focus on singles glory.
Off the court, the duo’s friendship has fueled speculation about a deeper bond, though Raducanu firmly shut down romance rumors, stating, “We’re just good friends.” Their chemistry, evident during a joint Evian commercial and Raducanu’s support at Alcaraz’s Queen’s Club matches, has only amplified fans’ excitement for their on-court partnership. Alcaraz, ever the gentleman, declared, “She’s going to be the boss,” suggesting a dynamic where Raducanu will call the shots in New York.
As the US Open nears, all eyes are on whether Raducanu and Alcaraz can overcome the logistical and competitive hurdles to make their mixed doubles debut a reality. Their partnership promises to blend Raducanu’s grit and Alcaraz’s flair, but with withdrawals mounting and schedules tightening, the tennis world holds its breath, hoping this dream team can take the court and deliver a performance worthy of their star power.
Leave a Reply