Emma Raducanu has opened up about her exciting new doubles partnership with Elena Rybakina as she targets a potential double triumph at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. The 22-year-old British star, currently thriving in both singles and doubles, revealed how the impromptu pairing with the 2022 Wimbledon champion came to be, offering a glimpse into her strategic approach ahead of the US Open. Speaking after her recent victories, Raducanu explained that the idea emerged organically during practice sessions in Washington. “Then here, when I was in D.C., I thought it would be a good idea to play doubles, get some extra matches in these conditions. It’s very different. And also the fact we were able to play before singles, I think that really helped,” she said.
The partnership, affectionately dubbed “Rybacanu” by fans, began with a casual ask during a practice session. Raducanu noted, “She was walking off the practice court, and I was on the practice court, and I was just, like, okay, I’ll give it a shot. I wasn’t really bothered if she said no. I asked her, and she was, like, Yeah, sure. That’s how it came about.” This laid-back initiation has proven fruitful, with the duo advancing to the doubles semi-finals after defeating Tereza Mihalíková and Olivia Nicholls 2-6, 7-6(4), [11-9] in the first round, followed by a win over Giuliana Olmos and Aldila Sutjiadi. They are now set to face No. 2 seeds Zhang Shuai and Taylor Townsend on Friday evening, putting them two wins from the trophy.
Raducanu’s doubles venture complements her stellar singles run, where she reached the quarter-finals after a 6-4, 6-2 upset of Naomi Osaka, boosting her live ranking to No. 39. This marks her third quarter-final appearance in Washington, having previously fallen to the eventual champion in 2022 and 2024. Her decision to play more doubles, following a successful outing with Katie Boulter at Queen’s Club, reflects a tactical move to enhance her volley skills and match readiness, especially with her upcoming mixed doubles pairing with Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open in sight.
The prospect of claiming both the singles and doubles titles at this WTA 500 event, which concludes on July 27, 2025, has added excitement to her campaign. Rybakina, ranked No. 4 and also alive in the singles draw, brings a strong presence to the partnership, making “Rybacanu” a formidable contender. As of 06:25 PM WAT on Friday, July 25, 2025, Raducanu’s candid insight into this new “partner in crime” highlights her adaptability and ambition, positioning her as a dual-threat in her pursuit of glory in the U.S. capital.
