Mixed doubles is stepping into the spotlight at this year’s US Open, thanks to a host of changes designed to boost the format’s profile.
A fresh wave of elite-level pairs, revamped scheduling for primetime viewing, and a significant increase in prize money have made this year’s mixed doubles more than just a sideshow.
The new incentives are drawing household names, and with that, a level of quality and intrigue not seen in years.
All of this makes the 2025 competition one of the hottest in recent memory, and you won’t want to miss out on any free bets offers with the stakes higher than ever.
That said, here are three headline-grabbing partnerships from the confirmed 16 pairs that are worth watching at Flushing Meadows.
Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu
The pairing that’s captured imaginations across the tennis world, Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, will take to the court together for the first time in a professional match.
Though they’ve never teamed up before, their friendship dates back to their junior days, and there’s a shared sense of youthful charisma and fearless ball-striking that could translate well into mixed doubles.
Alcaraz arrives in New York as one of the game’s most dominant forces, having won a second French Open in a row at Roland Garros and reaching a third Wimbledon final in succession while showing no signs of slowing up anytime soon.
Raducanu, meanwhile, hasn’t quite been able to match the heights of her 2021 triumph in the Women’s Singles here, but has shown flashes of resilience this season—and partnering with a close friend and arguably the best player in the world might be exactly what reignites her spark.
Jack Draper and Qinwen Zheng
British No.1 Jack Draper teams up with World No.6 Qinwen Zheng in another one of the most intriguing tactical pairings of the tournament.
Draper, though knocked out early at Wimbledon, has still enjoyed somewhat of a breakout season that has included an Indian Wells title, and he was a semi-finalist in the men’s singles here last year.
Zheng, who also suffered a stunning exit at Wimbledon—being knocked out in the first round—is performing much better than she did at SW19.
She reached her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open and won Olympic gold in Paris last year, and with two consecutive US Open quarter-final appearances, has solid form on the New York hard courts.
Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro
World No.1 Jannik Sinner is no stranger to success at Flushing Meadows, having lifted the men’s singles trophy for the first time last year.
He’s maintained that elite form in 2025, successfully defending his Australian Open title against Alexander Zverev in Melbourne before losing to rival Carlos Alcaraz in a French Open final for the ages.
He gained revenge against the Spaniard to claim a maiden Wimbledon title, and now he brings that pedigree into a mixed doubles pairing with American No. 1 Emma Navarro, a combination of world-class ability and serious local appeal.
Navarro has made a habit of going deep in majors lately, including a semi-final run here and a quarter-final at Wimbledon last year, as well as reaching the last eight in Australia earlier this season.
A New York native, she’ll be a fan favourite for those with free bets, and she could be the perfect teammate for Sinner.