Alcaraz and Raducanu follow each other on Instagram and the Spaniard was “caught” several times liking the WTA star’s posts and even congratulating her on some of her wins.

Men’s world No1 and defending singles champion Jannik Sinner will play alongside women’s No9 Emma Navarro, while women’s No1 Aryna Sabalenka is paired with Grigor Dimitrov. Novak Djokovic will partner compatriot Olga Danilovic and Iga Swiatek is poised to team up with Casper Ruud.

Emma Raducanu will team up with French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz in the mixed doubles at the US Open, with a prize of $1 million (£741,000) on offer for the winners. The new doubles team – who can expect to be given a portmanteau nickname of either “Alcaranu” or “Raducaraz” – are one of several eye-catching partnerships set to make their debuts in New York in August.