Emma Raducanu will arrive in New York today to star in a new mixed doubles event at the US Open which has attracted big names - and huge controversy. The 2021 New York champion will partner Wimbledon finalist Carlos Alcaraz in a glamorous pairing while Novak Djokovic will team up with Olga Danilovic.
And Venus Williams, now 45, will chase the $1m first prize with fellow American Reilly Opelka as the line between sport and entertainment is further blurred.
Wimbledon champions Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have joined the two-day tournament with only one specialist doubles pairing - Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori - so far given a wildcard. Two more are to be awarded.
It is part of Fan Week next Tuesday and Wednesday - the US Open singles starts next Sunday (24) - as the last Grand Slam of the season becomes a three-week event.
Martina Navratilova has claimed the new format “makes a mockery of the event” and dismissed it as “an exhibition, not a proper event.”
But previous high-profile mixed doubles partnerships, such as Andy Murray playing with Serena Williams at Wimbledon in 2019, have proved big hits with the public and TV. Now the battle of the sexes in New York is set to become an annual event.
And for a Raducanu, it is a return to centre stage in Flushing Meadows after failing to win a singles match in New York since 2021.
World No.2 Alcaraz revealed he made a “special request” to play with the British No.1 and joked she would be “the boss”.
And Raducanu was also in a light-hearted mood when talking about facing Ben Shelton’s 150mph serve. “I think I'm most scared to play certain shots,” she laughed.
“Ben Shelton's serve, that scares me. That's probably one in particular. And then obviously all the guys. It's very difficult to return their serves. Reilly Opelka? He's serving from a stepladder. It's incredible. But of course I'm very excited. It's such a unique opportunity, and I thin a lot of the females will probably be feeling the same way. Returning the guys' serve is quite difficult.”
But not all the big stars will be out next week. World No.2 Coco Gauff decided against entering her home Grand Slam as the build-up week is “already packed”. She added: “I’m very competitive, if I were to lose, I would not be happy. So, I didn’t want to waste mental energy on that.”
And world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka claimed she was staying “loyal” to Grigor Dimitrov and will not seek another partner after the Bulgarian pulled out with pectoral injury suffered at Wimbledon.
And Jack Draper has picked Jessica Pegula as his new partner after Qinwen Zheng and Paula Badosa both withdrew.