**Emma Raducanu Makes Headlines With New Doubles Partner in the US**
British tennis star Emma Raducanu has captured attention once again, as she embarks on a fresh doubles partnership with Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina at the Citi Open in Washington, DC. Following her spirited performance at Wimbledon, Raducanu looks eager to shift gears towards doubles competition, offering tennis enthusiasts a new dynamic to watch.
Raducanu, who currently sits as the British No. 3, has been no stranger to making bold moves in the tennis world. Not long ago, she set tongues wagging with the announcement of a forthcoming mixed doubles partnership alongside the highly-rated Carlos Alcaraz at the upcoming US Open. Now, with her link-up with Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, Raducanu appears to be embracing the opportunities the doubles court presents.
Reports suggest that the pair have already been spotted practising together in the American capital, sparking intrigue among fans and pundits alike. Many are wondering what this new on-court alliance might achieve, particularly given Rybakina’s singles pedigree and Raducanu’s all-court prowess. Their debut as a team is scheduled for Monday, when they will face fellow Brit Olivia Nicholls and Slovakia’s Tereza Mihalikova in the first round of the women’s doubles.
Doubles competition has been playing a more prominent role in Raducanu’s season of late. She initially experimented with the format in Washington three years ago, when, paired with Denmark’s Clara Tauson, she exited in the opening round. However, her appetite for doubles has seemingly grown. More recently, at the Queen’s Club, Raducanu teamed up with compatriot Katie Boulter, with the duo reaching the quarter-finals, a run which appears to have strengthened her enthusiasm.
Speaking after her Queen’s campaign, Raducanu expressed her appreciation for the way doubles play had sharpened aspects of her game, particularly her volleying. “Time on the doubles court has definitely helped. Today I picked off a few great volleys, and it just happened instinctively,” she explained, pointing to the tactical and technical learning that can cross over into her singles matches.
Although Raducanu and Rybakina have never previously partnered, there is history between the two. In early 2022, Rybakina dealt Raducanu a stinging defeat in Sydney, overpowering her 6-0, 6-1. This new collaboration, however, is a chance for the Brit to reset their on-court relationship as allies rather than adversaries.
Both players will also be competing in the singles field at the Citi Open. Raducanu’s tournament campaign commences with a challenging opening match against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk. Should she come through, the reward could be a blockbuster encounter with either former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka or Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva in the next round. Rybakina, seeded third, benefits from a first-round bye and will open her singles campaign against either Russia’s Anastasia Potapova or rising star Victoria Mboko.
Last year’s edition of the tournament saw Raducanu reach the quarter-final stage, notching an impressive win over the eighth seed Elise Mertens before her journey ended at the hands of long-time friend Paula Badosa, who eventually went on to lift the trophy.
Tennis followers will be closely tracking Raducanu’s progress in both the singles and doubles draws this week. The burgeoning partnership with Rybakina presents an intriguing subplot as the British player continues to refine her game and perhaps signals her intent to compete across all formats at the top level.
With a growing willingness to experiment and develop different facets of her tennis, Raducanu is once again demonstrating both her ambition and versatility. Observers will be keeping a keen eye on how the Brit and her new doubles partner fare as the action unfolds in Washington.