As Wimbledon 2025 looms just days away, the tennis world is abuzz with more than just anticipation for serves and volleys. British tennis star Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, and Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion, have set social media alight with speculation about a potential romance. Their announcement as mixed doubles partners for the US Open in August has only fueled the frenzy, with fans and insiders alike dissecting every interaction. A recent BBC interview with Raducanu, analyzed by body language expert Darren Stanton, has added fresh intrigue, suggesting that her feelings for Alcaraz might run deeper than a professional partnership. With their chemistry described as the “talk of Queen’s Club,” the narrative of a courtside romance is captivating fans worldwide.
Raducanu, 22, has been a household name since her stunning US Open victory as a qualifier four years ago. Alcaraz, also 22, has solidified his status as a tennis titan with five Grand Slam titles, including back-to-back Wimbledon crowns in 2023 and 2024. Their decision to team up for the US Open’s revamped mixed doubles event, set to feature star-studded pairs like Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic, has sparked excitement. But it was Raducanu’s presence in the stands at the Queen’s Club Championships, where Alcaraz clinched the title against Jiri Lehecka, that set tongues wagging. Insiders noted their close bond, with one source claiming, “Emma and Carlos’ friendship was the talk of Queen’s—people think there’s something going on because they have such a spark.” Their playful banter in a promotional video for the US Open further amplified the speculation.
In her BBC interview, Raducanu addressed the rumors with a lighthearted touch, saying, “I’m glad the internet is having fun and we’re providing some entertainment for everyone.” Yet, Stanton, speaking to OLBG, observed subtle cues that hinted at more. “I think Emma Raducanu is besotted with Carlos Alcaraz,” he said. “In her interview with the BBC, you can see that her face lights up and her pupils dilate. You can tell when her emotion shifts from speaking about general tennis to when she gets asked about what’s being said on the internet having fun on speculation.” He noted that when questioned about the rumors, Raducanu’s gaze shifted downward and to the left, a sign of accessing “internal auditory dialogue,” suggesting she was carefully considering her response. “She goes from instantaneously answering to considering what she’s about to say very carefully,” Stanton added, interpreting this as a potential emotional shift tied to her feelings for Alcaraz.
Another body language expert, Judi James, echoed this sentiment, pointing to Raducanu’s “coy smile” and “hair-preen gestures” during the interview as indicators of affection. “The fans love a whiff of a romance, and it has to be said that her body language might be a bit of a thirst-trap for audiences starved of a love-all relationship since Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert hooked up back in the Seventies,” James remarked. She described Raducanu’s demeanor as akin to a “fan-girl reaction,” with “pouting and posing” and an “overkill laugh” that could suggest an attempt to capture Alcaraz’s attention. While not as overt as Taylor Swift cheering for Travis Kelce, James noted, Raducanu’s gestures hinted at a burgeoning connection.
Raducanu herself emphasized the depth of their friendship, which began at Wimbledon 2021. “He’s so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around,” she said, recalling how they bonded during that tournament. “I remember he beat Stef [Tsitsipas] in the third round and it was like a big win, his breakout win on a big stage, and it was really cool to kind of go through that tournament together.” Their connection endured through shared tournaments and practice sessions, with Raducanu noting, “When you become a bit more known or more successful, you find yourself reverting back to people you knew from a young age because you’re like, that’s a real genuine connection.”
Alcaraz, who has confirmed he is single, expressed enthusiasm for their partnership, saying, “I’m super excited about it. I think it’s going to be great. I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma.” He revealed making a “special request” to team up with Raducanu, though she playfully kept him waiting, quipping, “Gotta keep them on their toes!” before confirming, “Of course I was going to say yes.” Their camaraderie was evident at Queen’s, where Raducanu’s presence in the stands prompted Alcaraz to say, “I’m just glad that she came to support, to watch my match. I think it was great having her in the stands.”
While Raducanu’s recent loss to Maya Joint at the Eastbourne Open contrasted with Alcaraz’s Queen’s triumph, their upcoming US Open collaboration promises to keep the spotlight on them. Stanton cautioned that there’s no evidence of a “full-blown relationship,” but suggested, “Either they’re very close and there could be something there down the line, or it’s wishful thinking on her part.” As Wimbledon begins, the tennis world watches not just for their on-court performance but for any further clues about this captivating connection.
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