The tennis world is abuzz with excitement as Emma Raducanu, Britain’s 2021 US Open champion, and Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon titlist, have announced their partnership for the revamped US Open mixed doubles tournament, set to electrify New York on August 19-20, 2025. This blockbuster pairing headlines a dazzling array of high-profile teams in a reimagined event designed to showcase the sport’s biggest stars before the singles main draw begins on August 24. With a $1 million prize pot—up $800,000 from 2024—and a fast-paced format on the grand stages of Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong courts, the United States Tennis Association’s bold overhaul promises to redefine mixed doubles and captivate fans worldwide.
Raducanu, 22, and Alcaraz, 22, bring a combined six Grand Slam singles titles to the court, blending the Briton’s gritty baseline game with the Spaniard’s explosive all-court prowess. Their entry marks a significant moment for Raducanu, who faced heavy criticism in 2024 after withdrawing from a Wimbledon mixed doubles match with Andy Murray due to wrist stiffness, a decision that denied the retiring legend a final All England Club appearance. She later apologized, and now, pairing with Alcaraz, she’s poised for redemption. Alcaraz, no stranger to doubles, reached the Olympic men’s doubles quarterfinals with Rafael Nadal in 2024, showcasing his versatility. “Well, I’m not gonna lie. I used to pray for times like this,” Alcaraz quipped about teaming with Raducanu, a comment that sparked laughter and fueled anticipation for their chemistry.
The US Open’s mixed doubles revamp, condensed to 16 teams from 32, features a shortened format—sets to four games with no-ad scoring until the final, and a 10-point tiebreak instead of a third set—designed to attract singles stars. The move, initially criticized by defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori as a “pseudo-exhibition” sidelining doubles specialists, has drawn an unprecedented field. Nine of the top 10 ATP and WTA singles players, including world No. 1 Jannik Sinner with Emma Navarro, Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud, and Naomi Osaka with Nick Kyrgios, have entered. “There is nothing I’ve been more excited about, energized about, than this event and what it will represent for the sport going forward: an opportunity to innovate and present the sport differently,” said Lew Sherr, outgoing USTA CEO, emphasizing the unique spectacle of men and women competing together.
Other pairings add intrigue: Aryna Sabalenka teams with Grigor Dimitrov, Novak Djokovic joins Serbian compatriot Olga Danilovic, and off-court couple Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, nicknamed “Tsitsidosa,” reunite after their 2024 US Open exhibition success. British No. 1 Jack Draper partners with Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng, while American duos like Madison Keys with Frances Tiafoe and Jessica Pegula with Tommy Paul promise home-crowd fireworks. Notably absent is Coco Gauff, the 2025 French Open champion, one of only two top-10 singles players not participating alongside Holger Rune.
The event’s structure, with entries open until July 28, adds uncertainty. The top eight teams, based on combined singles rankings, earn direct entry, while eight wildcards, decided by a USTA committee, complete the draw. Currently, Raducanu and Alcaraz’s rankings may not secure automatic qualification, making a wildcard likely. “Once there was an understanding of what the event was, [players] went and ran with it,” said Eric Butorac, USTA senior director of player relations. “They found their own partners—whether it was a friendship, a countryman or some even teaming up with a partner that they have off the court.” The star-studded lineup validates the USTA’s vision, inspired by the 2024 “Mixed Madness” exhibition’s success, to elevate mixed doubles into a prime-time attraction.
For Raducanu, the tournament offers a chance to reconnect with Flushing Meadows, where she made history as an 18-year-old qualifier in 2021. Alcaraz, a 2022 US Open singles champion, aims to add another New York title to his resume. As the tennis world anticipates this electrifying prelude to the Grand Slam, the Raducanu-Alcaraz alliance stands as a symbol of the sport’s evolving landscape, where innovation, star power, and fierce competition collide to create unforgettable moments.
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