As the iconic grass courts of Wimbledon come alive for the 2025 Championships, the spotlight isn’t just on the tennis but also on the off-court buzz surrounding British star Emma Raducanu and Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz. The two, both 22 and former US Open champions, have sparked fevered speculation about a possible romance, fueled by their upcoming mixed doubles partnership at the US Open and recent sightings together. In a lively pre-tournament press conference on June 28, Raducanu faced the inevitable question about her relationship with Alcaraz, delivering a cheeky yet definitive response that set the tone for her Wimbledon campaign: “We’re just good friends.” With a smile and a playful quip—“Way to wrap up!”—she shut down the rumors, leaving the room laughing and refocusing attention on her tennis.
The speculation began earlier this month when Raducanu was spotted cheering for Alcaraz during his semi-final match against Roberto Bautista Agut at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club, where he clinched the title. Their camaraderie was further highlighted during a joint practice session at Wimbledon, organized as part of a promotional event with Evian. “It was fun yesterday. We were both on court with Evian,” Raducanu shared, explaining how they were “just getting some volley practice ahead of New York.” She expressed genuine excitement about their US Open partnership, noting, “I’m really happy obviously to be playing with him. Yeah, we had a great time yesterday.” The session, filled with laughter and easy chemistry, only intensified fans’ curiosity, with social media abuzz with comments like “Better love story than Twilight” and speculation about a tennis power couple.
Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, revealed that Alcaraz initiated their mixed doubles collaboration. “Yes, he asked me. He asked me earlier on in the year, and I was very surprised, honoured, and excited,” she said, admitting she had to check with her coach but was always going to say yes. “I mean, of course, I had to ask my team if they wanted me to play. But for me, when he asked me, I was going to say yes, I just had to go through the formality of asking my coach,” she added with a laugh, joking, “Gotta keep ’em on their toes!” Alcaraz, fresh off his fifth Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, was equally enthusiastic, saying, “I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me. I made that special request.” He playfully dubbed her “the boss” of their partnership, hinting at their strong rapport.
Their friendship dates back to 2021, when both were rising stars. “I’ve known him for years,” Raducanu shared, recalling how they connected during Wimbledon that year. “He was always playing the day before me, I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too. It was really cool to go through that tournament together.” She praised Alcaraz’s character, describing him as “so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around.” Their bond, forged through shared experiences as young Grand Slam winners—Raducanu at the 2021 US Open and Alcaraz in 2022—has grown into a genuine friendship, despite Alcaraz’s meteoric rise to world No. 2 and Raducanu’s struggles with consistency and injuries.
As Raducanu prepares to face 17-year-old British wildcard Mimi Xu in her Wimbledon opener, she’s managing a nagging back injury that forced her withdrawal from the Berlin Open. “I’m still managing it, to be honest. I have good days and bad days with it,” she admitted, detailing treatments like “needles, soft tissue, some muscle stimulation stuff, taping, everything.” Despite these challenges, she’s eager to embrace Wimbledon’s unique atmosphere. “I know there’s not many opportunities to be playing at Wimbledon. You get it once a year and for a finite amount of time,” she said. “I just want to go out there and embrace the moment.” Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, begins his campaign against Fabio Fognini, aiming for a third straight Wimbledon title.
The romance rumors, while entertaining, haven’t distracted Raducanu from her focus. Her lighthearted response drew a playful jab from American player Danielle Collins, who posted on Instagram, “Brutal! @emmaraducanu such a heartbreaker,” with a laughing emoji. Raducanu’s journey, from her breakout US Open win to navigating injuries and the pressures of fame, reflects her resilience. Her past, including a strict upbringing where her parents enforced a “boyfriend ban” to prioritize tennis, has shaped her independence. “My parents were very much against [boyfriends] as it interfered with training,” she once shared, noting how it made her “very confident and comfortable in my own company.” After a reported split from ex-boyfriend Carlo Agostinelli last year, Raducanu remains unfazed by the spotlight on her personal life.
The US Open mixed doubles event, set for August 19–20, promises to be a highlight, with Raducanu and Alcaraz joining a star-studded field including pairs like Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios. For now, their friendship—rooted in mutual respect and shared triumphs—takes center stage. As Raducanu put it, “I’m glad the internet is having fun and we’re providing some entertainment for everyone.” At Wimbledon, where every point and every moment counts, Raducanu and Alcaraz are proving that their connection, platonic but powerful, is one to watch.
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