Emma Raducanu
Emma Raducanu Via Pinterest

Emma Raducanu's surprise decision to play women's doubles with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open has grabbed headlines. It's an unexpected alliance between two Grand Slam singles champions, neither known for doubles, yet it may be exactly what Raducanu needs as she rebuilds form and confidence.

A Strategic Partnership, Not a Publicity Move

Raducanu has been cautious in her comeback after a long injury layoff. According to the official DC Open site, she will compete in both singles and doubles in Washington, alongside Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022.

Their first match, scheduled for 22 July, pits them against experienced doubles duo Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls. While Raducanu has a current WTA doubles ranking outside the top 500, this partnership could offer a valuable path back to top-level competition.

Their combined Grand Slam titles, two in singles, contrast sharply with their doubles inexperience. Yet both bring world-class shot-making and athleticism. The key question is whether they can quickly build the teamwork and positioning needed to win.

Data Shows It's a Calculated Risk

Raducanu has played just three professional doubles matches in her career. By contrast, Mihalikova and Nicholls have over 80 combined WTA doubles appearances and specialise in the format.

However, Rybakina's record shows promise: she reached the quarter-finals in Birmingham earlier this year and has a top-30 doubles ranking. While Raducanu lacks experience, she offers agility and tactical awareness, skills that could improve with match play.

According to Essentially Sports, the pairing also comes ahead of a blockbuster mixed doubles appearance for Raducanu at the US Open, where she'll join forces with Carlos Alcaraz. The event carries a £780,000 ($1 million) prize pool, a record for mixed doubles.

This context suggests the DC Open is not just preparation, but part of a broader plan to evolve her game.

Expert Insight and Audience Expectation

Doubles success often depends more on chemistry and teamwork than on individual talent alone. Experts note that players who quickly develop trust in each other's movement and make smart decisions at the net can compete effectively, even against more experienced pairs.

Raducanu and Rybakina's opening match is scheduled for 18:00 local time (23:00 BST) and will provide an early test of their partnership. If they perform well, they could face top-seeded teams in later rounds, offering Raducanu valuable experience playing under pressure.

How This Adds Long-Term Value

  • Physical rehab: Doubles offers competitive match time without the physical toll of long singles matches.
  • Tactical growth: Learning doubles positioning sharpens net play and return instincts.
  • Media momentum: A deep run would generate attention ahead of the US Open, where expectations for her mixed doubles debut are high.

Per reports from TalkSport, the USTA's goal for the new mixed doubles format is to attract global stars, and Raducanu's participation signals serious intent.

A Look at the Numbers

  • Total doubles matches played by Raducanu before 2025: 3
  • Rybakina's 2025 WTA doubles wins: 5
  • Prize money for US Open mixed doubles: £780,000 ($1 million)
  • Start time of DC Open Round 1: 18:00 local time / 23:00 BST

These figures highlight the contrast between their individual accolades and their doubles inexperience, adding weight to what's at stake.

More Than a Gimmick

This pairing may not last beyond Washington, but it represents a bold step in Raducanu's development. She's not chasing headlines, she's testing new skills, expanding her game, and building toward a demanding hard-court season.

Whether they win or not, this is a sign of a player thinking long-term. And if they do pull off a win or two, it might just change the narrative around Raducanu's comeback.

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