“Of course I was going to say yes.” 🤩 Emma Raducanu explains how Carlos Alcaraz asked her to be his US Open doubles partner

The tennis world is buzzing with anticipation as Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, two of the sport’s brightest young stars, prepare to team up for the revamped mixed doubles event at the 2025 US Open, set to take place on August 19-20 in New York City. The announcement of their partnership has ignited a frenzy among fans, fueled by their longstanding friendship and undeniable on-court chemistry. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, recently shared the story behind their blockbuster pairing, revealing how Alcaraz’s invitation left her both surprised and elated. “Of course I was going to say yes,” she said with a grin, recounting the moment the five-time Grand Slam champion asked her to join forces.

The 22-year-old British No. 1 and the world No. 2 Spaniard have known each other since their breakout runs at Wimbledon 2021, where Raducanu reached the fourth round and Alcaraz stunned Stefanos Tsitsipas in a third-round thriller. “I’ve known him for years, and actually in Wimbledon 2021, it was kind of the first time I started getting to know him,” Raducanu recalled. “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.” Their friendship deepened during Raducanu’s historic US Open title run later that year, with the pair staying in touch as they navigated the pressures of sudden fame. “We have a good relationship still. He’s obviously overtaken me a lot, but it’s nice that we have that from a while ago,” she added, emphasizing the value of their “genuine connection” forged before their careers skyrocketed.

The US Open’s mixed doubles event, reimagined for 2025 with a $1 million prize purse split among 16 star-studded teams, promises to be a spectacle. Alongside Raducanu and Alcaraz, pairings like Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, and Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa will compete, adding to the event’s allure. Alcaraz, fresh off his second consecutive Wimbledon title and a Queen’s Club championship, initiated the partnership with what he called a “special request.” “I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma,” he said, grinning. “I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me.” Despite his enthusiasm, Raducanu playfully kept him waiting. “Gotta keep them on their toes!” she laughed, explaining that she consulted her coach before agreeing. “I had to ask my team if they thought I should play, but when he asked me, I was going to say yes, I just had to go through the formality of asking my coach.”

Their partnership has sparked more than just sporting interest. Raducanu’s appearances in the stands at Alcaraz’s Queen’s Club matches, where she cheered his 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2 victory over Jiri Lehecka, fueled speculation about a possible off-court bond. Social media erupted with excitement, with fans noting their laughter and camaraderie at a shared Evian sponsorship event. “I’m glad the internet is having fun and we’re providing some entertainment for everyone,” Raducanu quipped, deftly addressing the rumors with a smile. “We’re just good friends,” she clarified, shutting down speculation while acknowledging the buzz. American player Danielle Collins playfully called her a “heartbreaker” in response, adding a lighthearted jab to the narrative.

Despite the hype, Raducanu remains focused on her game amid a challenging season marked by back spasms. After a quarterfinal run at Queen’s Club and a narrow loss to Maya Joint at Eastbourne (4-6, 6-1, 7-6(7-4)), she launched her 2025 Wimbledon campaign with a straight-sets win over Mimi Xu but continues to manage her injury. “It’s OK. I’m still managing it, to be honest. I have good days and bad days with it,” she said, detailing her regimen of “needles, soft tissue, some muscle stimulation stuff, taping, everything.” Alcaraz, meanwhile, is in top form, having survived a five-set scare against Fabio Fognini at Wimbledon. He jokingly declared Raducanu “the boss” on court, saying, “I’m just gonna serve and I’m gonna pull myself away and let her play. She will cover a lot of the court.”

As the US Open approaches, their partnership promises to blend Raducanu’s gritty baseline play with Alcaraz’s explosive athleticism and “cool drop volleys,” as she described. “I really want to do as best as I can to not let my partner down,” Raducanu said, aware of the pressure to match Alcaraz’s elite level. With both players valuing their long-standing friendship, their collaboration is set to be a highlight of the tournament, whether or not they claim the title. For now, the tennis world eagerly awaits their New York debut, where their chemistry—platonic or otherwise—will surely keep fans glued to the courts.