EMMA RADUCANU AND Carlos Alcaraz sit side-by-side, in separate chairs, two armrests forming a barrier between them. It's mid-June, and US Open organizers have asked the former singles champions -- now doubles partners -- to help promote the tournament's new mixed doubles event by making a social media video.

Jannik Sinner has a new partner for the U.S. Open mixed doubles tournament, where Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz will face the No. 1-seeded team in the first round.

The US Open is breaking with tradition this year by holding its mixed doubles event during the first week of the three-week tournament – often known as ‘Fan Week’. This change aims to attract top singles players by offering a shortened,