Carlos Alcaraz has collected another Queen’s title and will now flick his focus quickly towards a third successive Wimbledon title.
The Spaniard defeated Jiri Lehecka in three sets at Queen’s, and it was another stellar performance from the sensational world number two.
After Wimbledon, the hard-court season gets back into full swing, and the US Open will take on a different trajectory this year.
That’s because Alcaraz will team up with Emma Raducanu in a newly-formed doubles tournament which will take place prior to the main event getting underway at Flushing Meadows.
How Carlos Alcaraz reacted when Emma Raducanu pulled out of Wimbledon doubles
This isn’t the pair’s first rodeo when it comes to doubles, and Raducanu signed up to play with Andy Murray at Wimbledon in his farewell tournament.
Raducanu risked the wrath of the Great Britain faithful by withdrawing to focus on her singles campaign, denying Murray a final flourish on Centre Court.
Alcaraz was quizzed on her withdrawal at the time and seemed to fight her corner amid a backlash from the Murray supporters who were disgruntled.
He said in a press conference: “Well, it is a difficult situation. I’m not going to lie. Obviously she said she was going to play mixed doubles against Andy Murray, his last Wimbledon of his career.
“But obviously she’s young. I’m sure that she didn’t want to pull out from the mixed doubles. I think she had her reasons to do it. I guess physical problems.
“I don’t know. I mean, she’s facing the fourth round of a Grand Slam, Wimbledon. I think it is special for her playing here in England.
“I’m sure that a lot of players who is in her position could do the same thing as she. But obviously knowing it’s his last Wimbledon of Andy Murray is difficult to deal with.”
What Raducanu said about Alcaraz in 2022
The two players have come through at a similar time, and whilst Alcaraz has started to dominate, Raducanu has failed to build on winning the US Open in 2021.
The Great Britain star was quizzed on coming through at the same time as Alcaraz, and it would appear that she’s a big fan of the Spaniard.
In 2022, she said: “Yeah, I think it’s incredible what he’s doing right now. Being so young and being so consistent is really impressive. I think the way that he moves is really gracious and elegant. If you watch him, it just looks like he’s flying through the air.
“But, yeah, he’s super aggressive, can just take the racket out of someone’s hands. What he’s doing at the moment is really a good inspiration for everyone on the tour.”
The new look US Open doubles will be a fascinating spectacle, and if Raducanu can stay fit enough to compete, the pairing could go all the way.
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