Even before the tournament qualifiers begin, the US Open announced a star-studded mixed doubles lineup for the grand slam event on Tuesday. The event will take place on Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong courts on August 19 and 20. Additionally, Carlos Alcaraz, a five-time major champion, has been matched with Emma Raducanu.

Alcaraz, speaking at the Queen's Club following his 6-4, 7-6 victory over Australia's Adam Walton in the opening round, disclosed that he was the one who asked the British No. 1 to compete in mixed doubles in New York.

"I was thinking that I couldn't play better if it wasn't with Emma. I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me—I made that special request," he stated.

Fans are already nicknaming the partnership 'Alcaranu,' but the former US Open champion didn't agree to it right away. "She took a while," the Spaniard chuckled. "Not much, but she had to think a little." However, it wasn't in a minute."

Alcaraz's remark was made in the midst of his fantastic tour performance, during which he won three consecutive events, all on clay, including the French Open. Having conquered Novak Djokovic in both of the previous London finals, he now hopes to retain his Wimbledon title for the second time in a row.

"She's going to be the boss," he stated. "I've known Emma for a really long time, and I have a really good relationship with her." We'll make an effort to prevail. "But it's obviously going to be super, super enjoyable."

The star-studded lineup features the globe Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and former champions Djokovic and Iga Swiatek.

"There is nothing I've been more excited about, energized about, than this event and what it will represent for the sport going forward: an opportunity to innovate and present the sport differently," said Lew Sherr, who recently declared his departure as chief executive of the US Tennis Association to become president of business operations with the New York Mets. "It's the only sport of any significance (with) men and women on the same field of play, at the same time, competing all out against one another."

The format also changed to include no-ad scoring, match tiebreakers in place of a third set, and first-to-four-game sets up to the last one.

"Once there was an understanding of what the event was, (players) went and ran with it," stated Eric Butorac, USTA senior director of player relations and business development. "They found their own partners — whether it was a friendship, a countryman or some even teaming up with a partner that they have off the court."

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