Carlos Alcaraz makes decision on Emma Raducanu link-up after sad Cincinnati Open win

Carlos Alcaraz says he will try to "be at his best" for Tuesday's US Open mixed doubles tournament following his Cincinnati Open victory. The world No. 2 was crowned the champion in Ohio after Jannik Sinner retired just 23 minutes into Monday's final, citing illness.

The final took place less than 24 hours before Alcaraz is due to team up with Emma Raducanu in the revamped mixed doubles event in New York, where they will take on Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula. There were fears Alcaraz could pull out given the quick turnaround from Cincinnati to the US Open, but he sounds keen to play, despite some concerns with the scheduling.

Alcaraz and Raducanu's first match together is scheduled for 2pm local time on Tuesday at the US Open, so the newly crowned Cincinnati champion will need to hotfoot it to New York to rest and recover before they take to the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

Although he's not too happy with the limited time in between his matches, Alcaraz admitted he had been enticed by the tournament's new format and wanted to put in a good showing to help Raducanu get the win.

"Well I think it is good," the world No. 2 said of the mixed doubles event, which has been overhauled for 2025.

"I mean, the scheduling, it is not the best, to be honest, playing tomorrow. But what it is about the concept, about the tournament, about the mixed doubles, I just loved it."

The US Open's new-look mixed doubles is being staged across two days in the week before the rest of the main draws get underway. Up until the finals, all matches will be best-of-three sets, with the first to four games winning each set. A 10-point tiebreak will be played in place of a deciding set.

Alcaraz and Raducanu will face Draper and Pegula on the US Open's biggest showcourt, and the Spaniard - who won the titles title in 2022 - wants to use the mixed doubles as preparation for the singles event.

He added: "I think it's going to be new for me, which I love. I'm going to have so much fun playing there, playing with Emma. It's going to be tough against Draper and Pegula, but I will try to enjoy as much as I can.

"I will try to see how it's going to be, the court, the balls, everything. I will treat that as a really important and good preparation for me.

"So I will try to be at my best tomorrow after the trip to New York and probably going to sleep late but I will try to put my best tennis just to help Emma to get the win and let's see if we will get it but I think it's going to be fun and great to have those matches."

"So I will try to be at my best tomorrow after the trip to New York and probably going to sleep late but I will try to put my best tennis just to help Emma to get the win and let's see if we will get it but I think it's going to be fun and great to have those matches."

Alcaraz's recovery will be made easier by the fact that he only spent 23 minutes on court against Sinner in the Cincinnati Open final, and didn't lose a single game. But the Spaniard looked concerned when his rival was forced to throw in the towel.

During his victory speech, he told Sinner: "As you said, Jannik, it's not the way I want to win matches and win trophies. I have to say sorry, I understand how you feel right now."

Alcaraz later sent his well-wishes to the world No. 1, who is also due to compete in the US Open mixed doubles competition on Tuesday, but could withdraw. "I want to wish Jannik a speedy recovery, hopefully in a few days he's going to be okay to prepare and practice well for the US Open," he said.

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