Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu have both put their names on the entry list for the revamped mixed doubles event at the US Open later this summer – but they won’t be playing together. Draper has partnered with Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, while Raducanu is set to join forces with five-time Major winner Carlos Alcaraz.
Both are still involved in exciting partnerships with top players, though it means British tennis fans have been denied the chance to see their two top-ranked stars on the same side of the net. But Draper has now explained that Raducanu simply went for the best accomplice possible.
“Yeah, I mean, a wise person once told me you should find the best partner, and that’s what she did in Alcaraz. I don’t blame her at all for that,” he said when asked why 2021 US Open champion Raducanu wasn’t his partner.
“Yeah, I think she will have a lot of fun playing with Carlos. He’s obviously the best player in the world probably right now, along with [Jannik] Sinner.
“Great at doubles, as well. Saw that with Rafa [Nadal] at the Olympics. She’s gone about and chose the best partner, for sure. Hopefully they do well.”
Draper’s partner isn’t too bad herself. Zheng made a statement when she claimed the Olympic gold medal in women’s singles last summer. She has four other titles to her name, has reached a Grand Slam final, and peaked at a career-high ranking of No. 4 this week.
The Chinese star once named Draper as her dream doubles partner in an interview. But it was the British No. 1 who made the first move and got in touch with her through their shared management agency.
“Yeah, I’ll definitely play. I think it’s a good format for the players to get prepared for the US Open, having a shot at playing with another top player,” he said of the revamped mixed doubles event, which will be staged across two days in ‘Fan Week’ – the week before the rest of the main draws get underway.
“Qinwen I know from the tour. I have seen her around. Obviously a great player herself and has a really good game.
“I think it will be fun to get out there and play with her and see how we get on. Yeah, I think it was me who messaged through IMG. She’s with IMG as well. It was nice to get that sort of together and let’s see how we get on.”
On Tuesday, the US Open unveiled a blockbuster list of the 16 teams that have signed up to the mixed event to date. As well as Draper and Raducanu’s respective blockbuster partnerships, there are plenty of big names in action.
Also signed up are Emma Navarro and Jannik Sinner; Jessica Pegula and Tommy Paul; Jasmine Paolini and Lorenzo Musetti; Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz; Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev; Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe; Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov; Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud; Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas; Belinda Bencic and Alexander Zverev; Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic; Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton; Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori; Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios.
The entry window will close on July 28, at which time the top eight teams with the best combined singles ranking at the time will officially be in the field/draw via direct acceptance. The remaining eight teams will be determined via wild card and announced on a date to follow.
Other players could still sign up, as Alex de Minaur expressed interest in entering with fiance Katie Boulter.