In the electrifying world of professional tennis, where every serve and volley sparks fervent discussion, the spotlight has recently turned to an off-court narrative involving two of the sport’s brightest stars: Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu. The 22-year-old Spaniard, fresh off his second French Open title in June 2025, found himself at the center of swirling romance rumors with the British tennis sensation after their joint appearance at Wimbledon and the announcement of their mixed doubles partnership at the upcoming US Open. With fans and media abuzz, Alcaraz’s candid and playful response during a press conference has set the record straight, while fueling excitement for their on-court collaboration.
The rumors began gaining traction when Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, was spotted cheering for Alcaraz during his victorious run at the Queen’s Club Championships in June 2025, where he clinched a thrilling 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2 victory over Jiri Lehecka. The pair’s chemistry was further highlighted during a promotional event for Evian, Wimbledon’s official water sponsor, where they were seen laughing and practicing volleys together. Social media erupted with speculation, with fans noting their easy camaraderie and even Alcaraz’s like on Raducanu’s beach-themed Instagram post on July 28, 2025, which garnered over 200,000 likes. “This is not just tennis,” one fan commented, while another teased, “Soft launch confirmed?” The anticipation for their US Open mixed doubles debut, set for August 19-20, 2025, only intensified the chatter.
At a pre-Wimbledon press conference, Alcaraz faced questions about Raducanu’s presence in the stands during his 2024 Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic. With a chuckle, he deflected the romance rumors with characteristic charm: “I don’t know, I don’t know. I think a lot of people came to see the final. I think Novak and I always put on a good game, a show on the court. I think it is a beautiful game to watch. And she is from here, so I imagine that she wanted to come and see it.” He added with a playful jab, “I don’t know if she came to the finals or if she came to see me. Who knows? You have to ask her, but I hope she enjoyed the final.” His lighthearted response underscored his focus on tennis while acknowledging the buzz with good humor.
Raducanu, for her part, has been equally clear about their relationship. During her own press conference, she smiled and said, “We’re just good friends,” prompting laughter when the moderator swiftly ended the session, to which she quipped, “Way to wrap up!” She later elaborated on their bond, which began in 2021 during her breakout Wimbledon run. “I’ve known him for years,” she told reporters. “Wimbledon 2021 was the first time I started getting to know him, and I had a good run there and then also again in the US Open in 2021. He was always playing the day before me, and I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too.” Their friendship, forged through shared experiences as young Grand Slam champions, has been a source of mutual inspiration.
The decision to team up for the US Open’s new standalone mixed doubles event came after Alcaraz made a “special request” to partner with Raducanu. “I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma,” he said, revealing his admiration for her game. Raducanu, initially consulting her team, jokingly admitted, “Got to keep them on their toes! I mean, of course, I was going to say yes, I just had to go through the formality of asking my coach.” Their playful dynamic shone through in a BBC interview, where Raducanu asked how much court Alcaraz could cover, to which he replied with a laugh, “I’m just gonna serve and I’m gonna pull myself away and I let her play. She will be the boss!”
Despite Alcaraz’s recent Wimbledon loss to Jannik Sinner, ending his bid for a third consecutive title, his confidence in Raducanu remains unwavering. “She plays great,” he said. “She’s struggling a little bit lately, but I’m pretty sure that she’s gonna get there. Her game is pretty high. I trust that she’s gonna be on the top very soon.” As the US Open approaches, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation for their partnership, not just for potential sparks off the court but for the electric chemistry they promise to bring on it. With Alcaraz’s five Grand Slam titles and Raducanu’s resilient comeback from injuries, their collaboration is poised to be a highlight of the 2025 season, proving that while romance rumors may swirl, their focus remains on creating magic with their rackets.
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