Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz's mixed doubles campaign at the US Open is already over, with the Briton involved in an awkward exchange with Jack Draper at the net following their defeat on Tuesday night.
The pairing of Britain’s No 1 female player with the five-time Grand Slam champion was billed as one of the marquee storylines of this year’s revamped mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows.
With the US Open scrapping the traditional format in favour of a shorter ‘fast-four’ version and a $1million prize pot, organisers had succeeded in luring some of the biggest singles stars into teaming up.
**ARE YOU READING THIS ON OUR APP? DOWNLOAD NOW FOR THE BEST GB NEWS EXPERIENCE**
Few partnerships drew more intrigue than Raducanu and Alcaraz, especially amid whispers of romance after the pair spoke so warmly about one another before the tournament.
Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz's mixed doubles campaign at the US Open is already over, with the Briton involved in an awkward exchange with Jack Draper at the net following their defeat on Tuesday night
|SKY
But the hype was, ultimately, short-lived.
Top seeds Draper and former doubles world No 1 Jessica Pegula proved far too strong, dispatching the duo in straight sets.
When the contest ended, Raducanu appeared reluctant to set aside competitive tension. Draper moved forward seemingly expecting an embrace, but Raducanu offered only a brisk handshake before turning to hug Pegula instead.
Alcaraz, by contrast, warmly greeted Draper with a hug, underlining the slightly frosty moment.
JUST IN: Newcastle hit back at Alexander Isak and take aim at Liverpool in latest twist to ongoing saga
The exchange carried extra spice given Draper’s light-hearted comments earlier in the summer when asked if he had considered partnering Raducanu himself.
“A wise person once told me you should find the best partner, and that’s what she did in Alcaraz,” Draper said in June.
“I don’t blame her at all for that. I think she will have a lot of fun playing with Carlos.
"He’s obviously the best player in the world right now, along with Jannik Sinner. Great at doubles, as well – saw that with Rafa at the Olympics. She’s gone about and chosen the best partner, for sure.”
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula win the match in style 🤩 pic.twitter.com/A4NgUVZqkS
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) August 19, 2025
Raducanu had been equally effusive when asked why she wanted to link up with Alcaraz, describing the world No 2 as someone she had built a close bond with off court.
“He’s so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around,” she said.
“I’ve known him for years. Wimbledon 2021 was the first time I started getting to know him.
"He was always playing the day before me, I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too.
"It was really cool to go through that tournament together and we stayed in touch throughout the US Open. It’s nice.”
Alcaraz, in turn, joked that he would happily let Raducanu “be the boss” on court.
Their debut almost didn’t happen at all – with Alcaraz playing the Cincinnati final against Sinner just 24 hours earlier.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Emma Raducanu rushed away from Jack Draper quickly after her US Open mixed doubles defeat alongside Carlos Alcaraz
|SKY
Only Sinner’s illness and retirement prevented a scheduling clash that could have forced withdrawals.
In the end, however, the high-profile team lasted just one match – with Draper and Pegula moving on and Raducanu leaving the court with little more than an awkward handshake.
They also went on to beat Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva on the same night.