# Emma Raducanu Steps Out of Comfort Zone with Mixed Doubles at US Open 2025
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, took a break from her singles focus to step out of her comfort zone, partnering with Carlos Alcaraz in mixed doubles at the 2025 US Open, only to face a swift first-round exit against Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula on August 19. The bold move, alongside her dominant 6-1, 6-1 second-round singles win over Janice Tjen on August 27, highlights Raducanu’s willingness to embrace new challenges as she aims for a deep run at Flushing Meadows (*Express.co.uk*, August 27, 2025).
## Mixed Doubles Venture and Defeat
Raducanu, ranked No. 35, teamed up with world No. 2 Alcaraz for a high-profile mixed doubles match, a rare departure from her singles-focused career. The duo, playing in a revamped 10-point tiebreak format, fell 4-2, 4-2 in 51 minutes to Draper and Pegula, with Raducanu’s serve broken early (*NewsandStar.co.uk*, August 19, 2025). Despite the loss, she called the experience “so much fun,” noting, “I was a bit nervous, but Carlos made it relaxed” (*Tennis.com*, August 20, 2025). Fans on X praised her boldness, with one post stating, “Emma trying mixed doubles with Alcaraz? That’s fearless!” (@RaducanuFan, August 19, 2025). The move reflects her growing confidence, bolstered by new coach Francisco Roig and chiropractor Jerome Poupel, who likened her stubborn character to a horse (*Yahoo Sports*, August 24, 2025).
## Singles Dominance and Record-Breaking Form
Back in singles, Raducanu crushed Tjen in 59 minutes, breaking her own record for her fastest Grand Slam main-draw win, surpassing her 62-minute first-round rout of Ena Shibahara (*BBC Sport*, August 27, 2025). With 16 winners and just four unforced errors, she showcased her 2021 title-winning form, advancing to face No. 9 seed Elena Rybakina in the third round (*USOpen.org*). Raducanu’s aggressive play and 83% first-serve points won signal a return to her “happy place” at Flushing Meadows, where she’s now 8-0 in red kit (*@usopen, August 24, 2025). She noted, “This feels like 2021 again, but I’m wiser now” (*Olympics.com*, August 27, 2025).
