 "Carlos Alcaraz requested Emma Raducanu to team up for US Open mixed doubles event. Image: Reuters")
The US Open on Tuesday announced mixed doubles pairings for the upcoming event in August. One of the teams put together that is creating a lot of buzz is Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu. The young tennis stars, both Grand Slam champions, will take the court together on 19 and 20 August at the iconic Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums.
Alcaraz requested Raducanu to play at the US Open together
What has made this pairing even more interesting is the story behind it. After his win over Australia’s Adam Walton at Queen’s Club, Alcaraz revealed that it was actually his idea to team up with Raducanu. Alcaraz said that he made the “special request” to team up with the British No. 1 for the US Open mixed doubles event.
“I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma. I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me – I made that special request. She took a while. Not much, but she had to think a bit. But it wasn’t in a minute,” Alcaraz said.
Alcaraz praised Raducanu, calling her the “boss” of the duo and sharing how long they’ve known each other. “She’s going to be the boss. I am really excited to play with her. I have a very good relationship with her. We have known each other for very long time,” he added.
Fans on social media were quick to pick up on the chemistry between the two young stars, with many joking that love might be in the air. While neither player has spoken about the speculations, their friendly behaviour towards each other has sparked rumours.
Others on the list: Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro, Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic, Zheng Qinwen and Jack Draper, Jasmine Paolini and Lorenzo Musetti, Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul, Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev, Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov, Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev, Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton, and 2024 U.S. Open mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.