The 2025 US Open’s revamped mixed doubles event, featuring the glamour pairing of Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, has left tennis fans sharply divided, with the innovative format drawing both praise for its entertainment value and criticism for sidelining traditional players. The No. 1 seed Alcaraz, fresh from his Cincinnati Open triumph, teamed up with the 2021 US Open champion Raducanu for a wildcard entry into the eight-team, $1 million prize pool tournament held August 19-20 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Their first-round loss to Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula (4-2, 4-2) in under an hour may have ended their run early, but the duo’s on-court chemistry and the event’s overall execution have ignited passionate discussions about the future of mixed doubles in Grand Slams.
The Partnership: Hype Meets High Drama
Alcaraz and Raducanu’s collaboration was the talk of the tournament before it even began. The Spaniard, who arrived in New York just hours after his Cincinnati final win, chose Raducanu as his partner after just three days of consideration, citing her as the “ideal” teammate. Their promotional video, showing playful banter and on-court sprints, amassed 3.2 million Instagram views, turning “Raducaraz” into a social media sensation. Fans “shipped” the pair, with X posts like, “Carlos and Emma? Tennis’s new power couple! 😍” (@TheTennisLetter) fueling romance rumors, though both insisted they were “just friends.”
The match itself was a spectacle. Alcaraz’s jaw-dropping around-the-post backhand in the second set drew gasps from Raducanu and the crowd, while their laughter and high-fives added fun to the “fast four” format—first to four games per set, no-ad scoring, and a 10-point tiebreak. Despite the loss, Raducanu called it “a huge success,” urging other Slams like Wimbledon to adopt similar innovations: “So many fans got involved… I had a lot of fun playing with Carlos” (BBC Sport). Alcaraz echoed, “That was fun @emmaraducanu!” on Instagram, posting a photo with his arm around her.
Dividing the Fanbase: Entertainment vs. Tradition
The event’s format has polarized fans. Supporters hail it as a bold step to boost mixed doubles’ visibility, with the Alcaraz-Raducanu pairing drawing record crowds and social media engagement. “Finally, mixed doubles feels exciting—Alcaraz and Emma made it must-watch TV!” tweeted one fan (@TennisFanatic22). The $1 million prize and celebrity draw—other pairings included Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud and Naomi Osaka/Frances Tiafoe—elevated the event, with organizers reporting a 40% attendance increase over 2024.
Critics, however, argue it undermines the traditional mixed doubles, favoring stars over specialists. Doubles purists like Andrea Vavassori called it a “pseudo-exhibition” that sidelines dedicated players, with X posts decrying, “Mixed doubles should reward skill, not hype. Alcaraz/Raducanu stole the show from pros” (@DoublesTalk). The wildcard system, prioritizing singles rankings, drew ire: “This isn’t fair—it’s a cash grab for the big names” (@TennisPurist). Traditionalists fear it devalues the format, with one fan noting, “Wimbledon and Roland Garros should stick to merit” (@TheTennisLetter).
The divide extends to the Alcaraz-Raducanu pairing itself. While some celebrated their joy—”Seeing Carlos and Emma laugh on court was pure tennis magic” (@SportsGossip)—others questioned the hype: “Fun, but Raducanu’s singles form is what matters. Don’t romanticize it” (@RaducanuNews). Their early exit to Draper/Pegula (the eventual champions) tempered the buzz, but the event’s attendance and views (over 5 million streamed) prove its appeal.
US Open’s Work Ahead: Refining the Format
The US Open’s mixed doubles overhaul—condensed to eight teams during Fan Week, with a $1 million prize—aimed to revitalize a waning discipline. Successes include increased engagement and star power, but challenges remain: ensuring fairness for doubles specialists and avoiding “exhibition” vibes. Tournament director Stacey Allaster defended it: “It brought new fans to the sport—mission accomplished.” Yet, calls for balance persist, with WTA chief Steve Simon suggesting “hybrid formats” for future Slams.
As Alcaraz eyes the Laver Cup and Raducanu the Korea Open, their partnership’s legacy is mixed: a fan divider that boosted visibility but exposed format flaws. The US Open has “work to do” to perfect it, but Alcaraz and Raducanu’s chemistry undeniably made it memorable.
