
Raducanu & Alcaraz out as revamped US Open doubles divides opinion
Raducanu & Alcaraz Crash Out as Revamped US Open Mixed Doubles Divides Opinion
The revamped US Open mixed doubles event began with a bang as Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz fell to Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula in front of a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.
The new shortened format and huge prize pool of $1m has divided tennis fans and players, with doubles specialists accusing organisers of sidelining them to showcase star singles names.
Party Atmosphere at Flushing Meadows
Raducanu and Alcaraz received the loudest cheers of the night as they teamed up in what many described as a “glamour pairing.”
-
Draper & Pegula won 4-2, 4-2.
-
The stadium featured a DJ, music breaks, and fans paying up to $145 (£107) for tickets.
-
Despite the loss, Raducanu and Alcaraz were all smiles, laughing and enjoying the carnival atmosphere.
Alcaraz, fresh from Monday’s ATP final in Cincinnati, looked relaxed just 24 hours later in New York as the pair tuned up ahead of their singles campaigns.
Doubles Stars Left Disappointed
Reigning champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori called the change “a profound injustice,” arguing that true doubles specialists had been cast aside.
The Italians are the only regular doubles pairing in the 16-team draw and have made the semi-finals, beating Elena Rybakina/Taylor Fritz and then Karolina Muchova/Andrey Rublev.
“We’re playing for all the doubles players not here,” said Vavassori, highlighting the frustration within the doubles community.
Star-Studded Field, Mixed Reactions
The rebranded event has already produced shocks:
-
Novak Djokovic & Olga Danilovic were eliminated by Daniil Medvedev & Mirra Andreeva.
-
World No.1 Jannik Sinner withdrew due to illness.
-
Six-time major winner Iga Swiatek & Casper Ruud are set to face Draper & Pegula in the semis.
While fans enjoyed the entertainment, many traditionalists argue the US Open has reduced doubles to a “glorified exhibition.”
What’s Next?
The semi-finals will see:
-
Errani/Vavassori vs Danielle Collins/Christian Harrison
-
Draper/Pegula vs Swiatek/Ruud
With a $1m prize at stake, the polarising event is likely to remain one of the most talked-about experiments in Grand Slam history.
There are no comments yet. Be the first to comment!