The highly anticipated tennis collaboration between Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz at the upcoming US Open faces serious jeopardy.
Fans have dubbed the partnership "Alcaranu", generating significant excitement ahead of the revamped mixed doubles format at Flushing Meadows.
Weather disruptions in Ohio have created a match backlog after severe storms interrupted play earlier this week.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
The men's final is set for Monday, with Alcaraz potentially facing world number one Jannik Sinner if he defeats Andrey Rublev in tonight's semi-final.
Emma Raducanu's team up with Carlos Alcaraz may be under threat
| PAThe mixed doubles competition begins fewer than 20 hours following the Cincinnati final, creating an almost impossible turnaround for players reaching the tournament's conclusion.
Additional weather concerns loom as further storms could potentially delay proceedings even more. Raducanu has already exited the Cincinnati tournament, whilst her prospective partner continues his campaign.
The scheduling nightmare extends beyond just Alcaraz and Raducanu. Sinner has committed to partnering Emma Navarro in the mixed doubles, but both leading men's players could find themselves in another gruelling encounter similar to their marathon matches at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
The reformed mixed doubles tournament takes place during the week preceding the US Open proper.
Despite scorching conditions in Ohio, Tuesday's extreme weather systems forced organisers to postpone multiple matches, creating the current scheduling crisis that threatens several high-profile partnerships.
Both top-ranked players took extended rest periods after Wimbledon, citing exhaustion as their primary concern.
This fatigue factor raises significant questions about their willingness to commit to additional matches immediately before a Grand Slam.
Emma Raducanu lost out at Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinatti
|Reuters
Coco Gauff has already withdrawn from the team competition, prioritising her individual US Open preparations.
"For me, it was just because I know the free week of the US Open is already packed for me, for sponsor things, and it was just like a whole other thing," she explained.
"So, I didn't want to waste mental energy on that."
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Diogo Jota's wife and children set to attend Liverpool clash with Bournemouth after forward's tragic death
- GB News journalists reveal Premier League predictions ahead of first match between Liverpool and Bournemouth
- Premier League chiefs blasts Fifa as row over Club World Cup rumbles on ahead of new season
Former British professional Barry Fulcher has expressed serious reservations about whether announced partnerships will actually materialise.
Despite organisers confirming the 16 pairings several weeks ago, he remains unconvinced about star participation.
Coco Gauff has already pulled out of the doubles tournament
| PA"This exhibition event will be great fun, but it is not a Grand Slam and it shouldn't be viewed as such," Fulcher told Tennis 365.
"It's not just about the prize money, but more about removing a mixed doubles Grand Slam opportunity. I will be fascinated to see how many of those 16 pairings that were announced a few weeks ago will turn up and play."