Carlos Alcaraz had little time to celebrate his first Cincinnati Masters title over Jannik Sinner on Monday. The Spaniard enjoyed a dinner with his team before catching a flight to New York.
Carlos will step onto Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday alongside Emma Raducanu, entering the US Open mixed doubles event despite a tight schedule and almost no rest.
For Alcaraz, the newly-created mixed doubles event is bot an opportunity and a test. While acknowledging the schedule is not ideal, the 22-year-old did not want to miss the action and a chance to compete alongside Emma.
Carlos Alcaraz looks ahead to playing doubles with Emma Raducanu 😁 pic.twitter.com/5j6pRy9xuL
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) August 19, 2025
Carlos likes the new mixed doubles format and calls it a new experience and an important preparation for the US Open. Despite fatigue and a late arrival in New York, the five-time Major winner remains motivated.
Carlos did a marvelous job in Cincinnati, lifting his first trophy at this event when Jannik Sinner retired while trailing 5-0 in the opening set. Thus, the Spaniard reduced the gap to the Italian on the ATP ranking list.
If he goes further than his greatest rival at the US Open, he will become world no. 1 for the first time in two years in September. However, his current focus is on the mixed doubles event.
Carlos Alcaraz, Cincinnati 2025© Stream screenshot
"I think it’s a great thing. The scheduling could have been better; playing tomorrow is not ideal, but I like the idea of the tournament and mixed doubles. It will be a new experience for me, and I like it a lot.
I will have a lot of fun competing alongside Emma, even though it will be tough against Draper and Pegula. I will try to enjoy as much as possible and see how the court and balls feel.
I consider the mixed doubles event an important and positive preparation, and I will try to give my best tomorrow after a trip to New York. I will go to bed late, but I will try to play my best tennis and help my team win.
I do not have much time to do what I want. I will leave Cincinnati tonight and try to get as much sleep in New York as possible to prepare for tomorrow. But first, I will enjoy this last dinner with my team in Cincinnati, having a nice hamburger," Carlos Alcaraz said.
