Tennis fans, buckle up, because this August at the US Open, sparks might just fly from more than the racquets. On Tuesday, the tournament dropped a mixed doubles bombshell that’s got everyone talking: Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu will team up for the first time. Yes, you read that right, two of tennis’s brightest young Grand Slam champions are joining forces, and their debut is set for August 19 and 20 at none other than the Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums. The buzz? Oh, it’s already echoing across continents and even sneaking into the Queen’s Club this week.

Emma Raducanu, fresh off claiming the British No.1 spot, had a solid run at the Queen’s Club Championships. Her campaign, however, came to a halt in the quarterfinals, thanks to a clean performance by China’s Zheng Qinwen. Meanwhile, her mixed doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz, who’s still riding the high of his French Open triumph, is finding his groove on grass once again. At the HSBC Championships on Friday, the top seed and defending Queen’s Club champion clinched his 16th straight win, fending off a big-serving challenge from lucky loser Arthur Rinderknech. The scoreline was a smooth 7-5, 6-4 to punch his ticket to the semifinals.

As he contested his semifinal match against Roberto Bautista Agut, it was Emma Raducanu’s courtside presence that got social media humming. Call it lady luck, but Carlos Alcaraz went on to win the match 6-4, 6-4, in dominant fashion. Cameras caught the 2021 US Open champ grinning and cheering from the sidelines, as if to give fans a sneak peek of the chemistry this duo might bring to New York later this summer.

And if you’re wondering who made the first move, yes, it was the Spaniard himself. Speaking after his opening-round win at Queen’s Club, the World No. 2 confirmed it was his idea. “I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma,” Alcaraz said. “I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me—I made that special request… I’ve known Emma for a really long time and I have a really good relationship with her. We will try to win. But obviously it’s going to be really, really fun.” He added with a grin, “She’s going to be the boss.”

That sounds like a dream team in the making, but are they actually compatible? Well, the early signs suggest it might take some time.

Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu fail compatibility test in hilarious fashion

The duo recently sat down for a fun chat ahead of their debut at Flushing Meadows. One of the games involved a quick-fire compatibility test. The task? Pick heads or tails at the same time. Raducanu went with tails. Alcaraz chose heads. And just like that, the two burst into laughter at how poorly they synced.

To be fair, they had their reasons. “I always pick tails. Always,” Raducanu declared. Alcaraz had his own explanation: “Honestly, I always say to my opponent, you pick. Depends on the mood of the day, so heads or tails?”

Despite the misfire, the chemistry is obvious, and fans can’t wait to see how it plays out on court. But before their US Open partnership gets underway in August, Alcaraz has other business to handle. He’s currently chasing a second title at the Queen’s Club and a hat-trick at Wimbledon.

The 2023 Queen’s Club champion is in the final again. Up next? Czech star Jiri Lehecka stands in the way of his second trophy on the London grass. Carlos Alcaraz is warming up in style, and Raducanu’s courtside support is only adding to the excitement. Can “Alcaranu” turn the hype into history?