Emma Raducanu (right) and Carlos Alcaraz (left) are among 16 pairings on the entry list British number one Emma Raducanu and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz are one of several eye-catching pairings planning to play the new-look US Open mixed doubles event. Fellow Briton Jack Draper is set to feature alongside Chinese world number four Zheng Qinwen, with a host of big names - including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Naomi Osaka - also on the entry list. The US Open mixed doubles will be held as a standalone event on 19-20 August before the hard-court Grand Slam begins on 24 August. Bringing the mixed doubles forward is a bold and revolutionary move by the United States Tennis Association, which said it hoped would attract more high-profile singles players. The 16 pairings announced by the USTA on Tuesday are not guaranteed to play in the event, although it is an indication the players involved are keen on participating. The entry deadline, by which players must confirm if they will play, is 28 July. Sixteen teams have entered the US Open mixed doubles, which will operate as best-of-three-set matches with sets to four games in the earlier rounds. The final will be a best-of-three-set match to six games, also featuring no-ad scoring and a 10-point match tie-break in lieu of a third set. When the entry window closes, the top eight teams with the best combined singles ranking will be directly accepted into the draw. The remaining eight teams will be determined by wildcards. The initial entry list features: Emma Navarro (US) and Jannik Sinner (Ita) Zheng Qinwen (Chn) and Jack Draper (GB) Jessica Pegula (US) and Tommy Paul (US) Jasmine Paolini (Ita) and Lorenzo Musetti (Ita) Elena Rybakina (Kaz) and Taylor Fritz (US) Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev Madison Keys (US) and Frances Tiafoe (US) Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov (Bul) Iga Swiatek (Pol) and Casper Ruud (Nor) Paula Badosa (Spa) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gre) Emma Raducanu (GB) and Carlos Alcaraz (Spa) Belinda Bencic (Sui) and Alexander Zverev (Ger) Olga Danilovic (Srb) and Novak Djokovic (Srb) Taylor Townsend (US) and Ben Shelton (US) Sara Errani (Ita) and Andrea Vavassori (Ita) Naomi Osaka (Jpn) and Nick Kyrgios (Aus) The eye-catching entry list was announced by the USTA on Tuesday. Lew Sherr, the USTA's chief executive, said the tournament was always "confident" of getting the world's leading players involved. "Seeing the teams that have already put their names on the entry list makes us all incredibly excited," he said. "It shows that the players are behind what we are trying to do, and we know that the fans will love it." The plan received strong criticism from some doubles players when it was announced in February. Italian pair Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who won last year's US Open mixed doubles title, are on the entry list, having initially described the decision as a "profound injustice". France's Kristina Mladenovic, winner of multiple Slam doubles titles, said the decision was "terribly shocking".
Raducanu and Alcaraz sign up as US Open doubles team
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"Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz to Compete in US Open Mixed Doubles"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz are set to team up for the inaugural mixed doubles event at the US Open, which will take place on August 19-20, just days before the main tournament commences on August 24. The announcement by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) revealed a total of 16 pairings, including notable players such as Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Naomi Osaka. This new format aims to attract more high-profile singles players to participate in mixed doubles, a move that the USTA believes will enhance the event's appeal. The mixed doubles matches will feature a unique scoring system, with best-of-three-set matches, sets played to four games in the early rounds, and a final that will be contested to six games, incorporating no-ad scoring and a 10-point match tie-break if necessary. The entry deadline for players to confirm their participation is set for July 28, creating a sense of anticipation as fans and players alike await the final lineup.
The list of entrants has sparked excitement among tennis enthusiasts, particularly with the inclusion of top talents and emerging stars. USTA's chief executive, Lew Sherr, expressed confidence in attracting leading players to the event, highlighting the enthusiasm shown by those who have already signed up. However, the decision to elevate mixed doubles to a standalone event has drawn criticism from some doubles specialists, including last year's champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who previously labeled the change as a "profound injustice." Kristina Mladenovic, a seasoned doubles player with multiple Grand Slam titles, also voiced her disapproval, calling the move "terribly shocking." Despite the dissent, the USTA remains optimistic that the revamped format will engage fans and promote the mixed doubles discipline within the sport, showcasing the talents of both established stars and rising players on a grand stage.
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