Game to love! Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz hit the court for long-awaited US Open mixed doubles pairing in $1m tournament amid relationship rumours

Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz have taken to the court on Arthur Ashe in New York in a bid to start their hotly anticipated US Open mixed doubles campaign against familiar opposition - fellow British No1 Jack Draper. 

The two former US Open champions' partnership was the most star-studded of those announced with the new-look event's launch two weeks ago, with their pairing sparking speculation over their relationship status after Raducanu was pictured taking in Alcaraz's successful run at Queen's in June. 

Both Raducanu and Alcaraz have spoken of their excitement about playing with one another, with the British No1 paying tribute to their 'genuine connection' on court. 

Newly minted Cincinnati Open champion Alcaraz echoed Raducanu's delight saying that he planned to let her be 'the boss' in their partnership when they eventually step on to court. 

As they made their way on to court, Alcaraz and Raducanu looked up for the challenge, laughing and talking to one another as they soaked up the applause of the crowd.  

Raducanu and Alcaraz's pairing - dubbed Raducaraz by some fans - has come about after the American Grand Slam decided to entirely revamp their mixed doubles competition. 

Instead of looking to attempt the top doubles players in the format, top singles players were encouraged to pair up with their peers for a shot at the eye-popping $1million prize. 

The event is taking place at US Open fan week, six days before focus will inevitably switch to their singles commitments, with both Arthur Ashe and second show court Louis Armstrong packed to the rafters with spectators keen for a glimpse of some of the world's top players. 

Among the similarly glittering pairings are world No2 Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and her compatriot Reilly Opelka, Raducanu and Alcaraz's opponent Draper and his partner, last year's US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, who are the tournament's No1 seeds. 

But the competition has been mired in chaos ahead of its first matches on Tuesday morning, with a number of high profile stars forced to withdraw due to injuries and scheduling concerns.

World No1 Aryna Sabalenka withdrew along with her partner Grigor Dimitrov following his heartbreaking injury at Wimbledon earlier this summer, and Draper was forced to change partners not once but twice after both Zheng Qinwen and Paula Badosa were also sidelined. 

In the tournament's latest - and most high-profile withdrawal - world No1 and US Open defending champion Jannik Sinner withdrew at the 11th hour on Monday afternoon, after he was forced to retire in the final of the Cincinnati Open due to illness. 

Alcaraz's continued participation, along with fellow Cincinnati champion Swiatek, has come as some surprise, with both players only landing in New York at 12.50am on Monday evening after flying in from Ohio via private jet. 

The 22-year-old admitted in his post-final press conference that there was almost nothing that would stop him playing with Raducanu. 

'The scheduling isn't the best, playing tomorrow... but the concept of the tournament I love it,' Alcaraz said. 'I'm going to have so much fun playing with Emma. 

'It's going to be tough playing against Draper and Pegula, but I will try to enjoy it as much as I can.

'I will try to see how the court and balls will be and treat it as good preparation for me. I will try to be at my best after my trip to New York.

'Probably going to sleep late but I'll try to play my best tennis to help Emma get the win, let's see if we will get it.

'It will be fun and a great opportunity to play those matches.'

Alcaraz will hope to follow in the footsteps of Swiatek, who is through to the semi-finals on Wednesday with Ruud following their defeat of hometown stars Frances Tiafoe and Madison Keys in the first round, and late pairing Lorenzo Musetti and Caty McNally in their quarter-final.