Alcaraz, Raducanu vs. Draper, Pegula: US Open's $1M Mixed Doubles

THE $1M SHOWDOWN

$1M

Tennis Stars Unite: Alcaraz & Raducanu Debut

The US Open Mixed Doubles kicked off on August 19, 2025, at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. A highly anticipated first-round match featured the dynamic duo of Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu against top-seeded pair Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula. This year's event boasts a record-breaking $1,000,000 prize money and compact scheduling on the biggest courts, aiming to boost mixed doubles' appeal and set the stage for singles.

Event Date

August 19, 2025

19

Prize Pool

Record $1M

1M

PLAYER MOMENTUM

Alcaraz's Ascent

Carlos Alcaraz secured his sixth season title at the Cincinnati Open on August 18th (due to Sinner's retirement), significantly boosting his Year-End No. 1 ranking bid.

6

Raducanu's Resilience

Emma Raducanu has been training intensely in New York, demonstrating impressive form and resilience, including a tough match against Sabalenka in Cincinnati.

Strategic Advantage: Why Mixed Doubles?

Mixed doubles forces players to adapt their game instantly. It sharpens quick reflexes, precise volleys, and crucial on-court communication. For players like Alcaraz, it's an immediate immersion into the US Open atmosphere, serving as high-intensity practice with a trophy on the line, right before the singles main draw.

ADAPT

NEW FORMAT, NEW CHALLENGE

Navigating the New Format

This year's US Open mixed doubles features a revamped, expedited format: all matches before the final are best-of-three sets. Each set is played to four games with a tie-break at 4-4, and the third set is decided by a 10-point tie-break. This fast-paced format demands quick thinking, decisive net play, and strong partner chemistry, leaving very little room for error.

FAST

Set Length

To 4 Games

4

Decisive Third Set

10-Point Tie-break

10

FUTURE OF TENNIS

The Evolving Landscape of Mixed Doubles

The US Open's elevation of mixed doubles with increased prize money and prime court time signals a broader trend in tennis to enhance the appeal of doubles formats. This provides top singles players with more opportunities to engage with different aspects of the sport. If successful, this revamped event could influence how other Grand Slams schedule and promote their mixed events, potentially making mixed doubles a more significant standalone spectacle.

Key Takeaways

Alcaraz and Raducanu debut in US Open mixed doubles against top seeds Draper and Pegula on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
US Open significantly elevated mixed doubles with a $1 million prize and major court matches.
Alcaraz is in strong form (Cincinnati win), while Raducanu shows resilience.
New, faster format demands quick adaptation and strong partnership.
Focus on mixed doubles reflects a trend to enhance doubles formats, potentially influencing future Grand Slam scheduling.

US OPEN MIXED DOUBLES KICKOFF