“Emma Raducanu’s gonna be the boss” – Carlos Alcaraz reveals how he feels about teaming up with Brit for US Open mixed doubles
Carlos Alcaraz expressed his enthusiasm for partnering with Emma Raducanu in the revamped US Open mixed doubles event, playfully declaring that the British No. 1 will be “the boss” on court. Speaking after his 6-4, 7-6(4) first-round win over Adam Walton at Queen’s Club, Alcaraz said, “She’s going to be the boss! I’ve known Emma since a really long time ago, so we know each other. I have a really good relationship with her. It’s going to be really, really fun,” per Sportskeeda. He revealed making a “special request” to team up with Raducanu, noting, “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,” per Daily Mail.
How the Partnership Formed
Alcaraz, the ATP No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion, approached Raducanu through their agents about the US Open’s new-look mixed doubles, set for August 19–20 during Fan Week. Raducanu, WTA No. 36, took “a while” to agree, as Alcaraz humorously noted, “She had to think a little bit! Not much, but it wasn’t a minute,” per The Guardian. Their friendship, rooted in junior days and mutual respect, fueled the decision. Alcaraz has long admired Raducanu, saying in January 2024, “Tennis needs her, she’s a pleasure to watch,” and expressing his mixed doubles dream, per @limuzinaxd. Raducanu, who attended his 2024 Wimbledon final, drew inspiration from his shots during her 2024 Wimbledon run, per The Mirror.
US Open’s Star-Studded Format
The US Open’s mixed doubles, offering a $1 million prize, features a “fast-four” format (sets to four games, tie-break at 3-3, 10-point tie-break instead of a third set) and includes top pairs like Jannik Sinner-Emma Navarro, Naomi Osaka-Nick Kyrgios, and Aryna Sabalenka-Grigor Dimitrov, per Sky Sports. Only eight teams qualify via combined singles rankings, with eight wildcards, and Alcaraz-Raducanu’s entry isn’t guaranteed, per BBC Sport. Jack Draper, paired with Qinwen Zheng, supported Raducanu’s choice, saying, “A wise person told me you should find the best partner, and that’s what she did in Alcaraz,” per @TheTennisLetter.
Fan Excitement and Context
The “Alcaranu” pairing has sparked buzz, with fans on X like @TennisChannel calling it “the duo we didn’t know we needed,” per @TennisChannel. Raducanu’s prior mixed doubles withdrawal with Andy Murray at Wimbledon 2024 due to wrist issues adds intrigue to her first professional doubles outing, per EssentiallySports. As both gear up for Wimbledon 2025 (June 30–July 13), their US Open collaboration promises a thrilling showcase, per The Independent.
