Former doubles world No. 1 Rennae Stubbs sparked controversy by labeling the Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu mixed doubles pairing as potentially the “weakest” in the revamped US Open mixed doubles event, set for August 19-20, per The Tennis Gazette. Speaking on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs argued that their lack of doubles experience could hinder them, stating, “I would argue that they [Alcaraz and Raducanu] are – and this is nothing against either of them, just talking from a perspective of doubles everybody, don’t lose your minds,” per. She also expressed doubts about Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud’s pairing, citing similar inexperience, per.
Alcaraz, world No. 2 and a five-time Grand Slam singles champion, has limited doubles success, with a 54% win rate and losses in both mixed doubles matches at the 2023 Hopman Cup with Rebeka Masarova, per. Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion ranked No. 36, only recently won her first WTA doubles match with Katie Boulter at Queen’s Club in June 2025, per. Their combined singles ranking of 38 places them outside the top eight for direct entry, requiring a wildcard, per. Stubbs, a four-time Grand Slam doubles winner, emphasized the disadvantage against doubles specialists like reigning champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, per.
The new US Open format, featuring 16 star-studded teams and a $1 million prize, has drawn criticism from doubles players like Errani and Vavassori, who called it a “pseudo-exhibition” prioritizing entertainment over fairness, per. Despite Stubbs’ critique, Alcaraz, who initiated the partnership by personally requesting Raducanu, remains optimistic, joking she’ll be “the boss” and highlighting their “really good relationship,” per. Fans on X, like @FS_Tennis1, noted Stubbs’ “brutal take,” amplifying the debate, per. With other pairings like Jannik Sinner-Emma Navarro and Naomi Osaka-Nick Kyrgios, the event promises high drama, per.
