Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz took to the court on Arthur Ashe in New York in a bid to start their hotly anticipated US Open mixed doubles campaign against familiar opposition – Raducanu’s fellow British No1 Jack Draper.
The two former US Open champions’ partnership was the most star-studded of those announced with the new-look event’s launch two weeks ago, with their pairing sparking speculation over their relationship status after Raducanu was pictured taking in Alcaraz’s successful run at Queen’s in June.
Both Raducanu and Alcaraz spoke of their excitement about playing with one another in the build-up, with the British No1 paying tribute to their ‘genuine connection’ on court.
Newly minted Cincinnati Open champion Alcaraz echoed Raducanu’s delight saying that he planned to let her be ‘the boss’ in their partnership when they eventually step on to court.
As they made their way on to court, Alcaraz and Raducanu looked up for the challenge, laughing and talking to one another as they soaked up the applause of the crowd.
Despite losing the first set, Raducanu and Alcaraz kept spirits high, bumping fists and talking between points – and even marveling at a particularly spectacular shot Alcaraz hit around the net and past Draper’s partner Jessica Pegula in the second set.
Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz arrived on court for their US Open mixed doubles in high spirits
The two Grand Slam champions paired up two months ago and have spoken of their on-court connection
The British No1 will be keen to nab her second Grand Slam title in the $1million tournament
During the changeovers, the pair avidly discussed tactics, after finding themselves on the backfoot against Draper and his former doubles world No1 partner.
But Raducanu and Alcaraz were unable to win back control of the match, falling in straight sets to Draper and Pegula to bring their match-up to a premature end, 4-2, 4-2.
Raducanu and Alcaraz’s pairing – dubbed Raducaraz by some fans – has come about after the American Grand Slam decided to entirely revamp their mixed doubles competition.
Instead of looking to attempt the top doubles players in the format, top singles players were encouraged to pair up with their peers for a shot at the eye-popping $1million prize.
The event is taking place at US Open fan week, six days before focus will inevitably switch to their singles commitments, with both Arthur Ashe and second show court Louis Armstrong packed to the rafters with spectators keen for a glimpse of some of the world’s top players.
Among the similarly glittering pairings are world No2 Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and her compatriot Reilly Opelka, Raducanu and Alcaraz’s opponent Draper and last year’s US Open finalist Pegula, who are the tournament’s No1 seeds.
But the competition has been mired in chaos ahead of its first matches on Tuesday morning, with a number of high profile stars forced to withdraw due to injuries and scheduling concerns.
Alcaraz has previously said that he’s happy to let Raducanu be ‘the boss’ in their tactical pair
Between points the duo reassured each other with bumped fists as they got their first game on the board
At the change of ends, Alcaraz and Raducanu happily discussed tactics inside a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium
Despite losing the opening set, spirits were high in the Raducaraz camp as the pair found their way on court
World No1 Aryna Sabalenka withdrew along with her partner Grigor Dimitrov following his heartbreaking injury at Wimbledon earlier this summer, and Draper was forced to change partners not once but twice after both Zheng Qinwen and Paula Badosa were also sidelined.
In the tournament’s latest – and most high-profile withdrawal – world No1 and US Open defending champion Jannik Sinner withdrew at the 11th hour on Monday afternoon, after he was forced to retire in the final of the Cincinnati Open due to illness.
Alcaraz’s continued participation, along with fellow Cincinnati champion Swiatek, has come as some surprise, with both players only landing in New York at 12.50am on Monday evening after flying in from Ohio via private jet.
The 22-year-old admitted in his post-final press conference that there was almost nothing that would stop him playing with Raducanu.
‘The scheduling isn’t the best, playing tomorrow… but the concept of the tournament I love it,’ Alcaraz said. ‘I’m going to have so much fun playing with Emma.
‘It’s going to be tough playing against Draper and Pegula, but I will try to enjoy it as much as I can.
On the other side of the net, Jack Draper and his partner Jessica Pegula were all business
Raducanu cut an excited figure as she returned to the site of her miraculous 2021 triumph
Both Alcaraz and Raducanu are ambassadors for Evian and teamed up at this year’s Wimbledon
The 22-year-old took in Alcaraz’s semi-final match at Queen’s after their partnership was announced in June
‘I will try to see how the court and balls will be and treat it as good preparation for me. I will try to be at my best after my trip to New York.
‘Probably going to sleep late but I’ll try to play my best tennis to help Emma get the win, let’s see if we will get it.
‘It will be fun and a great opportunity to play those matches.’
Alcaraz will hope to follow in the footsteps of Swiatek, who is through to the semi-finals on Wednesday with Ruud following their defeat of hometown stars Frances Tiafoe and Madison Keys in the first round, and late pairing Lorenzo Musetti and Caty McNally in their quarter-final.
