During the 2025 US Open’s mixed doubles tournament, Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz faced Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula in a high-profile first-round match. While Draper and Pegula won convincingly in straight sets, it was the post-match interaction between Raducanu and Draper that drew attention.
The handshake that raised eyebrows
At the net, Draper leaned in for what appeared to be a friendly hug. Raducanu, however, offered only a handshake and quickly moved on to warmly greet Pegula and Alcaraz. The contrast was striking and immediately caught the eye of fans and commentators.
Fans react with theories and emotions
Social media buzzed with speculation. Some fans suggested Draper had played aggressively, frequently targeting Raducanu during rallies. Others hinted at possible personal tension between the two British players. Reactions ranged from calling the moment awkward to defending Raducanu’s decision as justified.
Draper’s response and the bigger picture
Before the tournament, Draper had spoken positively about Raducanu’s partnership with Alcaraz. Despite the awkward moment, there’s no official indication of a personal rift. In competitive tennis, especially in mixed doubles, emotions can run high and sometimes spill over into post-match interactions.
Whether it was a strategic snub or a moment of tension, fans will likely keep speculating. As both players continue their singles campaigns, their next encounters—on and off the court—will be closely watched.
Jack Draper in 2025
Ranked world no.5, Draper played his last match on the 3rd of July when he was defeated by world no.61 Marin Cilic 6-4 6-3 1-6 6-4 in the 2nd round in Wimbledon (draw).
This year the Brit has a 29-9 match record. This year, the Brit conquered 1 tournament in Indian Wells. Jack got to the final in Doha and Madrid.
Emma Raducanu in 2025
Now the world no.35, Raducanu played her last match on the 11th of August when she was overcome by world no.1 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(3) 4-6 7-6(5) in the 3rd round in Cincinnati (draw).
Currently, during this year Emma has a 24-17 match record. Emma Raducanu’s best achievement of this year was getting to the semifinal in Washington.