Raducanu and Draper moment at US Open draws mixed reaction

An editorial look at the awkward moment between Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper in the US Open mixed doubles and how fans and players are reacting.

Raducanu Draper moment at US Open draws mixed reaction

Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz were defeated in straight sets by Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula in the first round of the US Open mixed doubles. The organizers have redesigned the format this year and boosted prize money to attract more top players, turning this event into a bigger part of the tournament.

After the match, some fans noticed a tense moment when Draper and Raducanu shook hands and did not hug, sparking online debate about sportsmanship and the dynamics of mixed doubles. Draper later explained in a news conference that he has no issue with Raducanu choosing a partner with Alcaraz and said she is playing with the best partner available.

The moment shows how quickly social media can reshape sports stories. A simple interaction becomes a headline about how athletes relate to each other on court, especially when a star like Raducanu is involved. This highlights the pressure on top players to manage both performance and public perception.

The revamped mixed doubles format is designed to raise the event profile and attract big names. That visibility brings opportunity for sponsors and broadcasters, but it also raises the stakes for off court moments that fans dissect online. In this setting, fans may overinterpret a handshake while the athletic side of the competition earns less attention.

Highlights

The real test lies in how players handle attention as doubles grows in profile.