As the tennis world gears up for the 2025 US Open, a reimagined mixed doubles championship has stolen the spotlight, with Britain’s Jack Draper and China’s Zheng Qinwen emerging as one of the most electrifying pairings. The announcement of their collaboration has sent ripples of excitement through fans, amplified by the intriguing backstory of how this dynamic duo came together. Draper, the world No. 6, recently shared candid insights into why he chose the Olympic gold medalist as his partner for the high-stakes event, set to unfold on August 19-20 at Flushing Meadows, promising a thrilling prelude to the Grand Slam.
Draper, fresh off a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory over Jenson Brooksby at the Queen’s Club Championships, revealed that the decision to team up with Zheng was his initiative. “Qinwen I know from the tour. I’ve seen her around. Obviously, she’s a great player and has a really good game,” he said, his enthusiasm palpable. “I think it’ll be fun to get out there and play with her and see how we get on.” The 23-year-old Brit reached out to Zheng through their shared management agency, IMG, a move that underscores the modern networking that shapes such partnerships. “It was me who messaged through IMG. She’s with IMG as well. It was nice to get that sort of together and let’s see how we get on,” he added, hinting at the chemistry he hopes will ignite on the court.
The partnership carries an extra layer of intrigue, as Zheng had previously named Draper as her dream doubles partner in a lighthearted April 2025 video for JW Marriott Marquis Miami. Asked to pick a celebrity doubles partner, Zheng bypassed Hollywood stars and chose Draper, saying, “Actually… Jack Draper.” Her choice, initially seen as a playful nod, now feels like a moment of serendipity, as their US Open pairing transforms her wish into reality. Zheng, ranked world No. 4 and celebrated for her 2024 Paris Olympics singles gold, brings a formidable presence to the court, despite her limited doubles experience. Her powerful baseline game and relentless determination complement Draper’s versatile style, honed through his own doubles outings with players like Jannik Sinner and Tomas Machac.
The US Open’s revamped mixed doubles format, condensed into two days during Fan Week with a $1 million prize pot, has attracted a star-studded lineup, including Carlos Alcaraz with Emma Raducanu, Jannik Sinner with Emma Navarro, and Naomi Osaka with Nick Kyrgios. Draper, reflecting on the format, sees it as a strategic warm-up for the main draw. “I think it’s a good format for the players to get prepared for the US Open, having a shot at playing with another top player,” he noted. The event’s best-of-three-set matches, with sets to four games in early rounds and a 10-point tie-break in lieu of a third set, promise fast-paced, high-energy competition. Draper and Zheng, with the second-highest combined singles ranking behind Sinner and Navarro, are among the favorites, though only eight of the 16 teams will qualify directly based on rankings, with the rest determined by wildcards.
Draper’s decision to partner with Zheng also comes with a nod to compatriot Emma Raducanu’s choice to team with Alcaraz. “A wise person once told me you should find the best partner, and that’s what she did in Alcaraz. I don’t blame her at all for that,” he said with a smile, acknowledging Raducanu’s strategic pairing with the five-time Major champion. While British fans may have hoped for a Draper-Raducanu duo, Draper’s excitement for Zheng highlights his confidence in their potential. Zheng’s meteoric rise, marked by five WTA titles, including Palermo and the 2024 Pan Pacific Open, and a 2024 Australian Open final, makes her a formidable ally. Her Olympic triumph, where she became the first Asian player to win singles gold, inspired a new generation, as she shared: “I had always wanted to become one of the Asians that can inspire young kids and make them love tennis more.”
For Draper, whose 2025 season includes an Indian Wells Masters 1000 title and a Vienna trophy, the mixed doubles event is a chance to showcase his adaptability. His lighthearted moments, like rolling up his shorts to mimic Machac during a doubles match at Indian Wells, reveal a personality that could gel well with Zheng’s focused intensity. As the US Open approaches, all eyes will be on this unexpected partnership, with fans eager to see if Draper and Zheng can turn their mutual admiration into a championship run, adding a new chapter to their remarkable 2025 campaigns.
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