Jack Draper doesn't blame Emma Raducanu for teaming with Carlos Alcaraz as dream Brit team snubbed

Jack Draper has expressed his feelings after his fellow countrywoman, Emma Raducanu, decided to partner Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open. This year’s fourth Grand Slam will be played differently.

The tournament will feature a standalone mixed doubles event a few days before the start of the competition, which will include some of the biggest names currently playing the sport. One of the most high-profile partnerships will see five-time men’s Grand Slam winner Alcaraz team up with the former US Open champion Raducanu.

The news of the two young superstars teaming up excited the fans, but it also ended the hopes of seeing two of Britain’s most famous stars, Draper and Raducanu, pair up at a mega-event. Draper, who is currently taking part in the Queen’s Club Championship, was asked by reporters about how he feels after being snubbed by Raducanu. In response to that, the 23-year-old stated that he does not ‘blame’ Raducanu for doing that, as she has decided to join ‘the best player in the world’ in Alcaraz.

“Yeah, I mean, 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 (smiling),” he said. “Yeah, I think she will have a lot of fun playing with Carlos. He's obviously the best player in the world probably right now, along with Sinner. Great at doubles, as well. Saw that with Rafa at the Olympics. She's gone about and chose the best partner, for sure. Hopefully they do well.”

US Open mixed doubles will have a lot of other exciting partnerships as well. Men’s world number one Jannik Sinner will team up with America’s Emma Navarro, 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovic, Tommy Paul will play with Jessica Pegula, Iga Swiatek will feature with Casper Ruud and Jasmine Paolini will be the partner of Lorenzo Musetti. Draper will also feature in the competition, as a partner of Qinwen Zheng of China.