Raducanu and Draper Set for British Showdown with US Open’s Fresh Mixed Doubles Format
New York is buzzing for the US Open’s very first mixed doubles tournament in its new look, and the first match will be 100% British. Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper, our nation’s top female and male players, are trading friendly rivalry for on-court competition as they pair off in the Big Apple ahead of the main draw.
A Fresh Spin on Mixed Doubles
This summer the tournament revealed that mixed doubles will run as its own two-day blockbuster on 19–20 August, squeezed in just ahead of the singles that kick off on 24 August. Sixteen dynamic duos will chase a juicy prize of $1 million (£749,077), giving the event a cash boost that rivals the old format’s glory days.
Of course, change breeds chatter. When the plan landed in February, loyal supporters and a few players worried that shifting the event from its usual Grand Slam slot could bury it on the schedule. Tournament chiefs, however, countered that the quick-fire, standalone event will ramp up visibility and deliver a high-energy, crowd-pleasing show for every fan watching in the stadium and at home.
Star-Power on Display
This new tournament format has drawn an eye-popping cast of talent. British breakout star Emma Raducanu, 22, will join forces with Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, already a five-time Grand Slam king and one of tennis’s biggest global brands. Awarded a wildcard spot, the team instantly vaulted to the top of the pre-event headlines.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Jack Draper is now side-by-side with American star Jessica Pegula, ranked a solid fourth in the world. The switch came after Draper’s original partner, Tommy Paul, and Pegula’s partner, Paula Badosa, both pulled out. That late lineup change hardly fazes the pair; their current singles rankings hand them the top seed.
Italian sensation Jannik Sinner, fresh off a Cincinnati Open final clash with Alcaraz just days before the US Open, has also landed. After American Emma Navarro withdrew, Sinner was paired with Czech doubles expert Katerina Siniakova, adding even more firepower to the draw.
Fast-Paced Format Keeps Action Rolling
This event packs two days of nonstop intensity into a tight schedule and streamlined rules. Early rounds feature sets played to just four games, with no-advantage scoring so the first player to four points wins the game. Tied at one set all? Forget a full third set; players head straight into a 10-point match tiebreak. Semis and the final light up Saturday, creating a festive finish before the main Grand Slam kicks off.
These bite-sized fixtures hook modern fans craving rapid tennis drama, a welcome shift from the marathons common in singles.
Raducanu’s Comeback Draws Extra Attention
For Emma Raducanu, all eyes are on her return. Since her fairy-tale US Open title in 2021, she’s fought injuries and up-and-down results. Now she shares the court with Carlos Alcaraz, the flashy star fans already call tomorrow’s champion. Reappearing in Arthur Ashe Stadium beside him lets Raducanu reclaim the spotlight in a big, bright moment. Their contrasting games—her fearless shot-making, his explosive power—guarantee a crowd-pleasing mix.
Draper’s Rise Continues
Jack Draper steps onto New York’s courts riding high on the season of his career. The 23-year-old now sits inside the ATP’s top five after months of steady performances, earning the title of Britain’s most exciting male talent in more than a decade. His new partnership with Jessica Pegula, a stone-cold competitor on the WTA Tour, adds instant drama: Pegula’s sharp, tactical mind and Draper’s big serve and court coverage create a blend that can light up the mixed-doubles format.
A Showcase of Global Talent
This revamped event doubles as a global talent mixer, where the sport’s biggest stars swap uniforms. Picture Alcaraz and Raducanu combining shot-making flair, or Sinner and Siniakova mixing brute power and court sense. Such pairings promise highlight-reel exchanges and the kind of doubt that keeps both casual viewers and tennis purists glued to their seats.
Looking Ahead
How the tennis world reacts will decide whether the format sticks around. If audiences and players embrace the energy, the experiment might push mixed doubles beyond exhibition status, planting it as a crowd-pulling, must-watch moment on every Grand Slam schedule.
For now, tennis fans across the UK will be fixed on Flushing Meadows while Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper launch the US Open’s first mixed doubles match together. No doubt the bright lights are back on this format, and the US Open is doing everything it can to keep them there.