CARLOS ALCARAZ has made a 600-mile dash to play in the revamped US Open mixed doubles event with Emma Raducanu.
The Spaniard, 22, is set to be in action alongside the British No1 barely 24 hours on from winning the Cincinnati Open.
Alcaraz was 5-0 up in yesterday’s final in Mason, Ohio before Jannik Sinner retired from the contest due to illness.
With Sinner heavily compromised the contest only took 23 minutes, meaning Alcaraz may still be somewhat fresh for the mixed doubles.
After completing his media duties, the five-time Grand Slam winner boarded a private jet alongside Cincinnati’s women’s champion Iga Swiatek, who is also set to take part in the mixed doubles.
Asked about the revamped event ahead of his 600-mile dash, Alcaraz said: “It’s good. The scheduling is not the best to be honest, playing tomorrow. But the concept of the mixed doubles, I love it.
“It’s going to be new for me, which I love. I’m going to have so much fun, playing with Emma.
“I will try to enjoy as much as I can. I will try to see how the court is going to be, the balls, everything.
“I will treat it as a really important and good preparation for me. I will try to be at my best tomorrow after the trip to New York.
“I’m probably going to sleep late, but I will try to bring my best tennis to help Emma get the win then let’s see if we will get it, it’s going to be fun and great to have those matches.”
This year’s US Open mixed doubles event has been moved to the week before the tournament – with eight teams getting in on their combined singles rankings, and a further eight making it in via wildcards.
Alcaraz and Raducanu have drawn Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula in round one – meaning that both British No1s will face off on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The match is set to take place at 2pm local time (7pm BST).
Raducanu, 22, was yesterday back at the scene of her incredible triumph four years ago.
The Brit posted a picture of herself in front of her picture on the champions’ wall, which also features a snap of 2022 men’s winner Alcaraz.
With Alcaraz still 600 miles away in Ohio, Raducanu practised on one of Flushing Meadows’ outside courts at 6pm local time on Monday.
Earlier this summer, speculation was rife about whether Alcaraz and Raducanu were dating.
The world No35 has insisted that the pair are “just good friends”.
‘IT’S ALWAYS FUNNY’
Reflecting on the speculation while chatting to The Guardian, Raducanu said: “I guess I’m like, it comes with the territory, people being so curious.
“I think they’re more curious about this news than any tennis results and tennis news. But I just keep myself to myself, my private life to one side.
“It’s always funny when people try to find something out, but I try not to read into it so much.”
Alcaraz’s beaten Cincinnati Open final opponent Sinner is also in the mixed doubles draw.
After his original partner Emma Navarro withdrew, the Italian teamed up with doubles world No1 Katerina Siniakova.
Having retired due to illness yesterday, and having not boarded the private jet alongside Alcaraz and Swiatek, the Wimbledon champion appears almost certain to withdraw.
Sinner and Siniakova are still down on the schedule to face Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic second on Louis Armstrong Stadium after 1:30pm local time (6:30pm BST).
Speaking after yesterday’s Cincinnati final, Sinner admitted that he would need “a couple of days of recovery”.
Swiatek, meanwhile, will partner Casper Ruud in New York.
The pair are set to take Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe second on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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