The tennis world thrives on more than just powerful serves and blistering rallies; it’s a stage where off-court stories often steal the spotlight. In the lead-up to the 2025 US Open, Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, two of the sport’s brightest young stars, have ignited a firestorm of speculation about a possible romance. Their newly announced mixed doubles partnership in New York has only amplified the buzz, with fans dissecting every glance, giggle, and social media interaction. After weeks of whispers—sparked by Raducanu’s presence at Alcaraz’s Queen’s Club matches and a viral photo from Malaga—the 22-year-old British sensation has finally addressed the rumors, delivering a response as poised as her baseline game.
The speculation began in earnest at the Queen’s Club Championships in June 2025, where Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, was spotted cheering Alcaraz to victory against Jiri Lehecka in the semi-finals and final. Their cars arriving minutes apart and reports of Alcaraz visiting Raducanu’s hotel fueled gossip, with one insider noting, “Emma and Carlos’ friendship was the talk of Queens—people think there is something going on because they have such a spark.” Social media erupted, with fans pointing to Alcaraz’s habit of quickly liking Raducanu’s Instagram posts, from holiday snaps to Evian ads, as evidence of more than friendship. “Well, well, two things are certain in this life: death and Carlitos’ like on Emma’s posts,” one fan tweeted, capturing the frenzy.
In a candid BBC interview, Raducanu faced the rumors head-on, her laughter cutting through the speculation. “I’m glad the internet’s having fun and we’re providing some entertainment for everyone,” she quipped when asked about parody accounts claiming she and Alcaraz were “destined for each other.” Her playful dismissal didn’t deny their bond but framed it as a deep, genuine friendship rooted in shared history. “We go back a long way,” she said, recalling their connection from 2021, when both were emerging stars. “We started getting to know each other a lot more at Wimbledon, and then at the US Open, I remember he beat Stef [Tsitsipas] in the third round, his breakout moment. We stayed in touch the whole time.” She emphasized the value of early friendships in the high-pressure world of tennis, noting, “When you become more known or successful, you revert back to people you knew from a young age because that’s a real genuine connection.”
Alcaraz, the five-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 2, has been equally effusive, admitting he made a “special request” to partner with Raducanu at the US Open. “She’s gonna be the boss,” he said with a grin, adding, “I have a really good relationship with her. It’s going to be really, really fun.” His enthusiasm, coupled with his defense of Raducanu’s controversial withdrawal from a 2024 Wimbledon mixed doubles match with Andy Murray, has only deepened fans’ curiosity. “She had her reasons,” he said, empathizing with her tough decision. Their chemistry, evident in a promotional video for the US Open, has fans dreaming of a “better love story than Twilight,” as one posted online.
Both players have navigated personal challenges in the spotlight. Raducanu, who split from billionaire heir Carlo Agostinelli in 2023, once shared how her parents’ strict “boyfriend ban” shaped her focus. “My parents were very much against [boyfriends] as it interfered with training,” she told The Times, reflecting on her resentment but ultimate confidence in her own company. Alcaraz, meanwhile, confirmed his single status in 2024, saying, “I am single. It can be difficult as a tennis player to meet the right person because you are travelling all the time.” Despite past links to Spanish tennis player Maria Gonzalez Gimenez, he’s kept his personal life private, though his frequent social media support for Raducanu keeps the rumor mill churning.
As they prepare to take on star-studded pairs like Jannik Sinner and Emma Navarro for the $1 million US Open mixed doubles prize, Raducanu and Alcaraz’s partnership promises to captivate. Whether it’s just doubles magic or something more, their “genuine connection” ensures all eyes will be on New York, where their on-court synergy might just outshine the off-court gossip.
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