.png)
Featured Image Credit: US Open
Topics: Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz, US Open, Tennis
Ryan Smart
Tennis fans think they've worked out why Emma Raducanu didn't embrace Jack Draper after their first round match in the US Open mixed doubles tournament.
Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz lost in straight sets to the team of Draper and Jessica Pegula in round one, with the latter then defeating Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-final later on Tuesday.
US Open organisers have revamped the mixed doubles format for this year, with significantly increased prize money leading to the world's top stars signing up to take part.
Advert
Alcaraz, Draper and Novak Djokovic have entered as top men's players, while women's stars Pegula, Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova also taking part.
Mixed doubles matches are played in a best-of-two format, with teams needed to win four games in a set - five if the scores reach 4-3.
The Alcaraz and Raducanu pairing was much-hyped heading into the event, though WTA world number four Pegula - who has extensive doubles experience - and British men's number one Draper had too much quality at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
After the match, fans spotted a slightly awkward moment between Draper and Raducanu, with the pair shaking hands before then appearing to back out of a hug.
There were no such issues between Alcaraz and Pegula, or Alcaraz and Draper.
Advert
The rules of mixed doubles allow for men's players to serve to women, and vice versa.
But some fans were not happy with Draper and claimed that he 'targeted' Raducanu during rallies - believing the 2021 US Open women's champion to have felt the same way.
One wrote: "He went hard after her the whole match and they both knew it."
A second said: "He targeted her like he was mad at her."
Advert
And a third asked: "First net point Jack went straight to Emma's feet, maybe that?"
But others argued otherwise, with one writing: "It's called tennis where you're out there to win."
A second added: "Have people only just discovered mixed doubles?"
And a third opined: "For me, both Jessica and Draper were clearly targeting Raducanu and so what?"
Speaking in a news conference ahead of the tournament, Draper was asked about Raducanu's decision to team up with Alcaraz at the US Open event.
Advert
But the 23-year-old insisted that he had no problems with his fellow British number one's choice.
"A wise person once told me that you should find the best partner, and that's what she did in Alcaraz," he replied. "I don't blame her at all for that.
"I think she'll have a lot of fun playing with Carlos. He's the best player in the world right now, probably, along with Sinner. And he's great at doubles as well - I saw that with Rafa [Nadal] at the Olympics.
"She's gone by the book and chosen the best partner there, for sure. Hopefully they do well."