The tennis world is abuzz with excitement as Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, gears up for a thrilling doubles partnership with former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina at the 2025 Mubadala Citi Open in Washington, D.C. The announcement of this high-profile pairing has drawn widespread attention, including a succinct yet enthusiastic reaction from Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios, who took to X to proclaim, “What a team!” The dynamic duo, set to face off against Britain’s Olivia Nicholls and Slovakia’s Tereza Mihalikova in the first round on July 22, 2025, promises to bring flair and firepower to the WTA 500 event, marking a significant moment in Raducanu’s evolving career.
Raducanu, the 22-year-old British No. 3, has had a rollercoaster journey since her historic US Open triumph as a qualifier four years ago. Her 2025 season has been a mix of resilience and challenges, with a standout quarterfinal run at the Miami Open but early exits at Wimbledon and the French Open, where she fell to top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, respectively. “It is very difficult to take right now,” Raducanu said after her gripping 7-6(8-6), 6-4 loss to Sabalenka at Wimbledon, where she pushed the world No. 1 to the brink. Despite the defeat, she remained optimistic, noting, “I’ve pushed Aryna, who is number one and a great champion, so I have to be proud.” Her decision to compete in doubles at the Citi Open, her third appearance at the event, signals a strategic move to gain match experience and refine her game on the hard courts ahead of the US Open.
The pairing with Rybakina, the world No. 6 and 2022 Wimbledon champion, is particularly intriguing. The two were slated to play together at the 2022 Cincinnati Open but withdrew, making this their first official doubles outing. Rybakina, fresh off a third-round exit at Wimbledon, brings a powerful baseline game that complements Raducanu’s versatile style. Kyrgios, who has recently trained with Raducanu and shares a friendly rapport with her, sees the potential in this collaboration. His three-word endorsement on X reflects his excitement for the partnership, which joins other star-studded doubles teams at the event, including Kyrgios himself with Gael Monfils and Ben Shelton with Frances Tiafoe in the men’s draw.
Raducanu’s doubles experience is limited, with only three WTA matches to her name, including a quarterfinal run with Katie Boulter at Queen’s Club earlier in 2025. “That winning feeling for Boulter-canu!” BBC Sport celebrated at the time, highlighting the promise of Raducanu’s doubles ventures. She has also played alongside Clara Tauson at the 2022 Citi Open, but her partnership with Rybakina marks a new chapter. “I’m really happy to be playing with her,” Raducanu said of a different doubles partner, Carlos Alcaraz, with whom she’ll compete in the US Open mixed doubles, indicating her enthusiasm for teaming up with top players. Her collaboration with Rybakina could provide valuable momentum as she aims to climb from her current WTA ranking of No. 45, a far cry from her career-high of No. 10 in 2022.
The Citi Open, kicking off the North American hard-court swing, is a star-studded affair, with top seed Jessica Pegula, Grand Slam champions Venus Williams and Naomi Osaka, and Wimbledon runner-up Amanda Anisimova in the singles draw. Raducanu, who faces Marta Kostyuk in her singles opener, is looking to build on her recent performances, including a straight-sets win over Jule Niemeier at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Despite a back injury that forced her to withdraw from the Auckland Open, she’s shown resilience, working with fitness trainer Yutaka Nakamura to bolster her physicality. Kyrgios, who has empathized with Raducanu’s post-US Open struggles, noted, “My heart does go out to her,” reflecting on the pressures of fame and expectations. “She’s doing fairly well,” he added, praising her ability to navigate challenges.
As Raducanu and Rybakina take the court, the tennis world will be watching closely. Their partnership, backed by Kyrgios’s enthusiastic support, could be a turning point for Raducanu, offering a chance to showcase her talent alongside a fellow major champion. With the US Open looming, this doubles venture is more than a side quest—it’s a step toward reclaiming her place among tennis’s elite.
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