The internet blew up when news got out that Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu would be pairing up for the revamped mixed doubles. Heck, netizens even speculated that the two were dating, which ultimately led Raducanu to shut down the buzz at a presser at the 2025 Wimbledon Open. “We’re just good friends,” she clarified. But when the tournament finally came around, the highlight went to Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula as they ended Alcaraz and Raducanu’s pairing in just 50 minutes with a scoreline of 4-2, 4-2. Their chemistry was far stronger than their opponents’ despite their relative unfamiliarity with each other. And it helped them in their quarterfinal clash against Daniil Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva, too, which they won 4-1, 4-1. But all eyes sparkled when a reporter made a funny comment about Draper and Pegula during the post-game interview. 

What was the comment? Well, the reporter claimed that Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper sounded like an “old married couple.“ The kind of synergy they displayed on the court was proof that the two had a strong connection. But can we actually say that the partnership felt like an age-old relationship?

Per the New York Post, during their post-game interaction with the press, a reporter asked the Briton about his seriousness on the court during the Mixed Doubles and what it’d mean to actually win the $1M prize. Needless to say, Draper claimed that it’d mean a lot to him. But when he said, “Obviously it is like a bit of an exhibition format. It’s nice to play with someone,” his partner let out an amused reaction. 

Pegula stated, “You shouldn’t be saying that, but that’s OK.” The #5 ATP star was baffled. But Pegula cleared the air, saying, “Yeah. It’s not an exhibition. I know what you’re saying.” Yes, Draper’s depiction of the Mixed Doubles being an exhibition event seemed funny to his partner. 

Nevertheless, he defended himself and claimed, “I’m hearing that a lot, it’s a bit of an exhibition, a bit of fun, why am I so locked in. It’s a good opportunity to play, do well, get a lot of points in before next week, yeah. Like, I’m enjoying being locked in. I don’t know why it’s a crime to be locked in.”  Ultimately, Pegula clarified that it was actually all good. She was only “laughing at the ‘exhibition’ part.” But the damage was already done! 

Nevertheless, the duo had utmost respect for each other. And Draper even credited Pegula for their quarterfinal victory.  

Jack Draper praises Jessica Pegula for the US Open Mixed Doubles 

After defeating Alcaraz and Raducanu, Jack Draper got honest regarding his feelings about his partner. He confessed, “I’ve got a pretty good partner. Honestly, like, what an experience playing out here, with Jessica playing Emma and Carlos, you know. It doesn’t get any better than this. So, it’s just a pleasure to be out here playing against them and playing with such a good player.” 

On top of that, he was pretty content with his own performance. He was out of action and was suffering from multiple injuries before coming to the 2025 US Open. His arm injury was the reason why he had to pull out of the ATP Masters 1000. Yet, his credits went in favor of Jessica Pegula. The Briton claimed, “It’s all about having a good partner as well. It is. That’s true.”

For now, the duo has to prove their synergy twice more. They are currently set to compete against Iga Swiatek and her partner, Casper Ruud, in the semifinals. And if they win, they can take on the fight for the $1 million prize.