Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, two of tennis’s brightest young stars, have set the tennis world abuzz with their unexpected partnership in the revamped US Open mixed doubles event, scheduled for August 19-20, 2025. The 22-year-old Spaniard, fresh off his fifth Grand Slam title at the French Open, and the 22-year-old British sensation, the 2021 US Open champion, have ignited speculation about a potential off-court romance, fueled by their playful chemistry and Alcaraz’s glowing remarks about their collaboration. As fans dub the duo “Alcaranu,” the tennis world is captivated not only by their on-court potential but also by the whispers of a deeper connection, intensified by their history of mutual support and social media interactions.
The announcement of their mixed doubles pairing at the US Open, a star-studded event featuring heavyweights like Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Aryna Sabalenka, has amplified the buzz. Alcaraz, ranked world No. 2, revealed he personally reached out to Raducanu with a “special request” to team up, a decision he described as a no-brainer. “I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma,” he said after his first-round win over Adam Walton at Queen’s Club on June 17, 2025. “I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me.” Raducanu, however, didn’t immediately say yes, keeping Alcaraz on edge. “She took a while,” he laughed, adding, “Not much, but she had to think a bit. But it wasn’t in a minute.” His playful declaration that “she’s going to be the boss” on court, coupled with his admission of a “really good relationship” with Raducanu, has sent fans into a frenzy, with one X user proclaiming, “Carlos and Emma look great together.”
The rumors trace back to last summer, when Raducanu was spotted in the stands cheering Alcaraz’s Wimbledon final victory over Djokovic in July 2024. Her presence sparked whispers of romance, which Alcaraz downplayed, saying, “I don’t know if she came to the finals or if she came to see me. Who knows? You have to question her, but I hope she enjoyed the final.” Raducanu, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon before falling to Lulu Sun, later admitted to drawing inspiration from Alcaraz’s game, noting, “The last couple matches I’ve been following Carlos and it’s just good to watch before my own match. And sometimes in certain moments you in a way try to emulate certain shots or whatever.” Their mutual admiration was evident again at Queen’s Club in 2025, where Raducanu watched Alcaraz’s semifinal win over Roberto Bautista Agut, prompting him to say, “I saw on social media she came up to watch my match. I was focused on the match. I didn’t see her,” with a smile that only fueled speculation.
Social media has played a significant role in fanning the flames. Alcaraz’s habit of liking Raducanu’s Instagram posts, from holiday snaps to Evian water ads, has drawn attention, with fans joking, “Well, well, two things are certain in this life: the first is death and the second is the like of Carlitos Alcaraz on Emma Raducanu’s posts.” A viral photo from the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Malaga, showing Alcaraz watching Raducanu practice, prompted comments like “Better love story than Twilight.” Yet, both players have remained coy. Alcaraz, who confirmed he’s single on the Molusco TV podcast, saying, “It’s complicated, never staying in one place,” has been linked to others, including Maria Gonzalez Gimenez, but insists, “No commitments for now.” Raducanu, recently split from billionaire Carlo Agostinelli, is focusing on her tennis, with a “boyfriend ban” from her parents in her youth shaping her independent mindset.
As the US Open approaches, the “Alcaranu” pairing promises to deliver not just competitive fireworks but also a captivating narrative. With a $1 million prize and a condensed format featuring sudden-death deuces and 10-point tie-breaks, their chemistry could shine on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Whether their bond is purely professional or something more, as Raducanu quipped, “I’d let you pick,” the tennis world is eager to watch this story unfold.
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