World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has officially announced his partnership with American tennis star Emma Navarro for the mixed doubles at this year’s US Open. The exciting tournament, part of the US Open Fan Week, will take place on August 19 and 20 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, featuring a lucrative $1 million prize for the winning team.
The announcement of Sinner and Navarro as one of the standout pairings comes amid a lineup of 16 teams expected to captivate fans. In her discussions about the pairing, Navarro explained how their collaboration evolved. Notably, Sinner shared during a pre-Wimbledon press conference that he and Navarro had never met or communicated prior to being approached by tournament organizers to play together.
Navarro humorously recounted how Sinner had to persuade her to join him for the US Open, noting, “Yeah, he was begging me to play. He was saying, you know, I heard about your volleys and your doubles skills. Please, please, will you play with me?” She expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “I think it’s going to be fun… I am excited.”
Both players are currently enjoying successful runs in their respective singles tournaments, with Sinner recently defeating fellow Italian Luca Nardi in straight sets at Wimbledon. Navarro acknowledged the pressure that comes with teaming up with the world number one, remarking, “I’m going to have a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations. I know he’s going to be hitting clean forehands, backhands, left and right, and aces all over the court.”
Adding to the excitement of the mixed doubles event, another noteworthy pairing has emerged with Carlos Alcaraz joining forces with Emma Raducanu. Alcaraz shared his intention to team up with Raducanu, and the two have already been seen practicing together at Wimbledon, showcasing their camaraderie ahead of the competition.
This mixed doubles event at the US Open not only promises thrilling matches but also highlights the camaraderie and sportsmanship present in the tennis community. Fans eagerly anticipate how these pairings will perform as they aim for the coveted title and significant prize on the line.