Emma Raducanu all smiles as she admires her winner’s portrait at US Open, begins training ahead of mixed doubles campaign with Carlos Alcaraz
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, radiated joy as she stood before her winner’s portrait at Flushing Meadows on August 18, 2025, a heartfelt moment shared on Instagram that celebrated her historic 2021 triumph as the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title. The 22-year-old British star, ranked No. 33, has begun training for the 2025 US Open mixed doubles event, partnering with world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the revamped $1 million tournament set for August 19-20 during Fan Week. However, with Raducanu’s recent singles withdrawal and Alcaraz’s grueling schedule, their highly anticipated “Alcaranu” partnership faces significant uncertainty as they prepare to face top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper.
Raducanu’s visit to her portrait at Arthur Ashe Stadium was a poignant nod to her fairy-tale run four years ago, where she captured the title without dropping a set. Her Instagram post, captioned with a beaming emoji, reflected her excitement at returning to New York, despite withdrawing from the 2025 US Open singles on August 15 due to lingering wrist and ankle injuries from 2023 surgeries (www.express.co.uk). Now training under new coach Francis Roig, Raducanu hit the practice courts, sharing snapshots of intense sessions as she prepares for the mixed doubles, a wildcard entry alongside Alcaraz, who personally requested her as his partner, playfully calling her “the boss” (www.youtube.com).
The mixed doubles event, with its fast-paced format—sets to four games, no-ad scoring, and a 10-point tiebreak—has sparked controversy, with Martina Navratilova labeling it “a mockery” (www.express.co.uk). Raducanu admitted to nerves about facing powerful male serves, saying, “Ben Shelton’s serve, that scares me… It’s very difficult to return the guys’ serves” (www.youtube.com). Their first-round match against Pegula, a 2023 doubles world No. 1, and Draper, scheduled third on Arthur Ashe Stadium at approximately 7 p.m. BST on August 19, is a formidable challenge (www.tennisworldusa.org).
Alcaraz’s participation is uncertain after his Cincinnati Open final win over Jannik Sinner on August 18, leaving less than 24 hours to travel and recover (tennis.com). However, his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero’s presence in New York signals commitment (@alcarazzupdates). Fans on X are buzzing, with one post cheering, “Emma’s smile at her US Open portrait is everything! Let’s go Alcaranu!” (@RaducanuNews, August 18, 2025). Raducanu’s resilience mirrors that of Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin prioritizing the Davis Cup or Luke Littler thriving in darts. As she trains, her joyful return reflects determination, but the “Alcaranu” dream hinges on overcoming physical and logistical hurdles.
