Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz face trouble ahead of US Open mixed doubles thanks to Cincinnati final

Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz have emerged as one of the most talked-about duos in the upcoming US Open mixed doubles, a two-day spectacle set for August 19–20, 2025, before the singles draw begins on August 24. The pair were confirmed as a wild-card entry in this newly revamped event offering a $1 million winner’s prize. Alcaraz, the Spanish star who personally reached out to Raducanu to form the partnership, affectionately dubbed her the boss in an interview fuelling further intrigue around the pairing.

Their opening match is expected to be nothing short of dramatic, as they will face the top-seeded team of Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The draw’s configuration places Alcaraz and Raducanu in a bracket that could potentially lead to a blockbuster quarter-final against winners of Djokovic–Danilovic versus Andreeva–Medvedev.

This year’s mixed doubles event marks a bold reinvention from the USTA. Matches will be played in best-of-three formats with short sets to four games, no-ad scoring, and a 10-point match tiebreak in the event of a third set, except in the final, where sets extend to six games but still utilize no-ad scoring and a 10-point decider if needed The new structure, designed to boost fan engagement and enable top singles players to participate, has not been without controversy, drawing criticism from both players and traditionalists.

Beyond the format, the Raducanu-Alcaraz pairing carries layers of narrative intrigue. Alcaraz leads the singles world No 2 ranking and has just secured his fifth Grand Slam at the 2025 French Open, adding to his impressive resume that includes Wimbledon and several other majors. Meanwhile, Raducanu has enjoyed a resurgence; she expressed feeling more confident ahead of this year’s US Open than at any point since her fairy-tale 2021 title run.

After a solid showing in Cincinnati, falling just short in a three-set battle with Aryna Sabalenka, she acknowledged that a year of health and match-play has restored her rhythm. Though injuries plagued her 2024 season and derailed her campaign in New York, she now heads into this tournament ranked No 34 and possibly seeded thanks to recent withdrawals. On paper, Raducanu has yet to claim a professional doubles title, same as Alcaraz, but their combined star power is undeniable.

Adding to the buzz are occasional whispers of romance. Though sources report that Raducanu insists they’re just friends, popular media headlines have referenced them as ‘rumoured love interests’ adding a sensational layer to their on-court alliance. Neither has much doubles pedigree Raducanu paired with Katie Boulter at Queen’s Club this summer without major breakthroughs, and this marks Alcaraz’s first inclusion into Grand Slam mixed doubles. Yet, their collaboration is being positioned as a PR coup as much as a sporting endeavour.

The tournament landscape is stacked. Other wild-card duos include the legendary Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovic and the seasoned Venus Williams teaming with Reilly Opelk. Elite seeded entry pairs, based on combined singles rankings, round out the draw, featuring the likes of Iga Świątek with Casper Ruud, Elena Rybakina with Taylor Fritz, and Madison Keys with Frances Tiafo. Another compelling storyline involves Jannik Sinner, the world No 1, now paired with doubles ace Katerina Siniakova; they avoided facing each other with Alcaraz-Raducanu in the same half of the draw.

Timing may pose a hurdle. Alcaraz is scheduled to contest the Cincinnati Masters final against Sinner on Monday, August 18, with his mixed doubles debut looming just over 24 hours later, a daunting jet-lag and fitness challenge. Fans and pundits alike are watching closely to see whether fatigue or logistical issues could derail the much-anticipated pairing.

As excitement builds, feelings of nostalgia and spectacle clash with the harsh realities of elite competition. The redefined mixed doubles event wants to shine a light on the format itself and it may succeed if Alcaraz and Raducanu deliver. Their presence brings the drama, headlines, and potential on-court fireworks. Whether they can translate star power into silver and claim that massive $1 million prize remains to be seen. But for now, as the US Open’s curtain-raiser fast approaches, all eyes will be on the dynamic duo.