3 weeks ago
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Emma Raducanu has called on Wimbledon and the other Grand Slams to copy the US Open's mixed doubles formula which saw her form a superstar team with Carlos Alcaraz.
The US Open's decision to move their mixed event until the week before the singles, kick out almost all doubles specialists and play short sets to four games was controversial. But a host of singles stars turned out and Arthur Ashe stadium was sold out for both days.
'It would be so fun if all the Slams got involved and did something similar, even if it was not the exact same format,' said Raducanu.
'I think it was a huge success. So many fans got involved, so many people watched and tuned in. It got a lot of attention.
'It was a great idea and I had a lot of fun on court playing with Carlos.'
Wimbledon have not changed much about their mixed event since its inception in 1913 and there is currently no appetite from the All England Club to follow New York's lead. But the US Open's experiment has certainly given the other Slams something to think about.
Emma Raducanu wants other Grand Slams to replicate the US Open's mixed doubles event
Raducanu teamed up with Carlos Alcaraz this week but they were beaten in the opening round
The withdrawals of world No1s Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner were a blow to the mixed doubles, but there were enough singles stars to make it a big success. Alcaraz and Raducanu were the biggest draw - the only partnership of two singles Grand Slam champions - and they grinned their way through a first-round defeat by Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula.
The only true doubles pair to be allowed entry were defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, and their mastery of the format saw them take the title and the $1million first prize - fully five times the amount they won for lifting the trophy last year.
The Italian pair have been fiercely critical of the event, as have the entire doubles community, and saw their victory as a vindication of the specialists' right to compete.
The US Open do not, frankly, give a hoot what the doubles players think but some other Slams might be more squeamish about the bad PR.
Back to Raducanu and her singles campaign, she takes on a qualifier at 4pm UK time on Sunday, attempting to win a first match here since the 2021 final.
