Emma Raducanu, the British tennis star who captivated the world with her historic 2021 US Open triumph, is gearing up for another thrilling chapter at Flushing Meadows. This time, she’s teaming up with Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz for the newly revamped mixed doubles event, a partnership that has sparked a frenzy of speculation about her personal life. At just 22, Raducanu is navigating her strongest season since her Grand Slam breakthrough, but off-court gossip about a potential romance with Alcaraz has threatened to overshadow her on-court ambitions. In a candid moment ahead of the 2025 US Open, she addressed the relentless rumors with a smile, firmly stating, “We’re just good friends,” while dismissing a particularly invasive question as “terrible, terrible.”
The buzz around Raducanu and Alcaraz began earlier this summer when the US Open announced their mixed doubles pairing, set to kick off on August 19 in a star-studded draw featuring 16 teams, including Jannik Sinner with Emma Navarro and Novak Djokovic with Olga Danilovic. The duo’s chemistry, both on and off the court, has fueled fan and media speculation. Raducanu was spotted cheering Alcaraz on during his run to the Queen’s Club Championships title in June, arriving at the venue just minutes apart from him on multiple occasions. Their joint appearance at a promotional event for Evian, a brand both endorse, further intensified whispers, with some insiders claiming their bond was “the talk of Queen’s.” Social media erupted, with TikTok clips of their playful exchanges racking up over 250,000 views, and Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios even jokingly suggested a “love triangle” involving Raducanu, Alcaraz, and British player Jack Draper.
The scrutiny reached a bizarre peak at Wimbledon, where Cameron Norrie, who is in a long-term relationship with Louise Jacobi, was awkwardly asked by a reporter if he was dating Raducanu. A visibly uncomfortable Norrie responded, “I’m not, no. You can ask her. I don’t know,” prompting Raducanu to chuckle and call the question “terrible, terrible.” Reflecting on her friendship with Alcaraz, which dates back to their breakout runs at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2021, she told reporters, “He’s so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around.” She recalled how their paths crossed during that pivotal summer: “Wimbledon 2021 was the first time I started getting to know him. 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.”
Raducanu’s journey since her 2021 US Open victory has been a rollercoaster. Injuries, including wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023, saw her ranking plummet to 289, but she has climbed back to world No. 38, showcasing resilience with a third-round showing against Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon and a competitive run at Cincinnati. Her preparation for the US Open, where she and Alcaraz received a wildcard entry, has been meticulous, with the duo practicing volleys together at an Evian event. “We were just getting some volley practicing ahead of New York,” she said, emphasizing their focus on strategy over speculation. Alcaraz, a five-time Grand Slam champion, initiated the partnership, admitting, “I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma.” Raducanu, flattered by the request, noted, “Of course I was going to say yes,” though she playfully added, “Gotta keep them on their toes,” after consulting her coach.
The mixed doubles event, with its streamlined two-day format and $1 million prize, promises to be a spectacle, played on Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong courts. Raducanu’s personal life, however, has been complicated by more than just rumors. A stalking incident in Dubai earlier this year left her shaken, forcing her to abandon solo walks and heightening her caution in public. “I’m obviously wary when I go out,” she shared, highlighting the toll of fame. Despite these challenges, she remains focused, drawing inspiration from Alcaraz’s meteoric rise while valuing their “genuine connection” from their early days. As the US Open approaches, Raducanu is determined to let her racquet do the talking, shrugging off the gossip with a laugh: “I’m glad the internet’s having fun, and we’re providing some entertainment for everyone.”
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