The tennis world is buzzing with anticipation as the 2025 US Open unveils a revamped mixed doubles championship, set to dazzle fans on August 19-20 at Flushing Meadows, just before the main singles draw begins on August 24. Among the headline acts, Britain’s Emma Raducanu and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz have confirmed their partnership, promising a dynamic collaboration between two former US Open champions. Meanwhile, British No. 1 Jack Draper has teamed up with newly single Spaniard Paula Badosa, adding intrigue to an already star-studded lineup that features 14 of 16 confirmed teams vying for a $1 million prize pot.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open women’s champion, and Alcaraz, the 2022 men’s champion, are one of six wildcard entries in the reimagined tournament, designed to showcase tennis’s biggest names. The duo’s friendship, forged during their breakout runs at the 2021 US Open, adds a layer of authenticity to their pairing. “I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma,” Alcaraz said with a grin, recalling how he reached out to her through their agents. “She took a while, but she had to think a little bit.” Raducanu, who has long admired Alcaraz’s inventive playstyle, didn’t jump at the offer immediately. “She’s gonna be the boss,” Alcaraz laughed, hinting at the 22-year-old Briton’s leadership on the court. Their chemistry, rooted in a “genuine connection” from their early days on tour, promises a blend of flair and precision, with Raducanu drawing inspiration from Alcaraz’s “cool drop volleys” she observed during his Queen’s Club semi-final win in 2025.
The decision wasn’t without its ripple effects. British fans had hoped for an all-British pairing between Raducanu and Jack Draper, the nation’s top-ranked players. Draper, however, was gracious about Raducanu’s choice. “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 after a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory at Queen’s Club. “She will have a lot of fun playing with Carlos. He’s probably the best player in the world right now, along with Sinner. Great at doubles, as well.” Draper’s own partnership with Badosa, a late change after her split from Stefanos Tsitsipas, adds a fresh dynamic to the event. Badosa, originally slated to play with Tsitsipas, found a new partner in Draper after the Brit’s initial pairing with China’s Qinwen Zheng fell through due to Zheng’s elbow injury and subsequent withdrawal from the US Open.
The mixed doubles field is a constellation of talent, with eight teams earning direct entry based on combined singles rankings and six others, including Raducanu and Alcaraz, securing wildcards. Notable pairings include World No. 1 Jannik Sinner with Emma Navarro, Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud, and Aryna Sabalenka with Grigor Dimitrov. Novak Djokovic teams up with fellow Serbian Olga Danilovic, while Venus Williams, a two-time Grand Slam mixed doubles champion, joins forces with Reilly Opelka. American duos like Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul, and Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton, add local flavor, while defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori round out the wildcard entries. The tournament’s new format—first-to-four-game sets with no-ad scoring—aims to deliver fast-paced, high-energy matches, a bold move by the USTA to spotlight top players during Fan Week.
For Raducanu, the event offers a chance to build on her 2025 season, which has seen highs like a semi-final doubles run with Elena Rybakina in Washington and lows like a first-round US Open singles exit in 2024. Her recent Montreal win and recovery from a back issue signal a return to form, though she remains cautious about her physical condition. “Needles, soft tissue, some muscle stimulation stuff, taping, everything,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to peak fitness. Alcaraz, a five-time Grand Slam champion, brings doubles experience from his Olympic run with Rafael Nadal, making their partnership a fan favorite, already dubbed “Alcaranu” by enthusiastic supporters.
Draper, meanwhile, sees the event as a springboard for the US Open singles, where he reached the quarter-finals in 2024. His pairing with Badosa, a former World No. 2, came together through their shared management agency. “It was me who messaged through IMG,” Draper explained. “It’s nice to get that sort of together and let’s see how we get on.” Badosa, navigating a back injury and the end of her high-profile relationship with Tsitsipas, brings resilience and firepower, her 2024 US Open exhibition doubles win with Tsitsipas a testament to her doubles prowess.
The revamped mixed doubles championship has sparked debate, with some players criticizing the scheduling shift, but the star power—nine of the top 10 men’s and women’s players—validates the USTA’s gamble. For fans, the prospect of seeing Raducanu and Alcaraz’s “magic” alongside Draper and Badosa’s new alliance promises a thrilling prelude to the Grand Slam. As Raducanu put it, reflecting on her bond with Alcaraz, “The ones that you’ve known for a long time mean a lot more to you.” With two wildcard teams yet to be announced, the stage is set for a blockbuster event that could redefine mixed doubles at the US Open.
Leave a Reply