As the 2025 Wimbledon Championships loomed, British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu found herself at the center of swirling speculation about her relationship with Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz. The 22-year-old, preparing for a challenging first-round match against teenage wildcard Mimi Xu, faced a barrage of questions at a pre-tournament press conference on June 28, 2025, about her bond with the world No. 2. With a bright smile, Raducanu deftly shut down rumors of a romantic connection, stating, “We’re just good friends.” When the moderator swiftly moved to end the line of questioning, Raducanu’s laughter filled the room as she quipped, “Way to wrap up!” Her playful response, coupled with a double thumbs-up, charmed the media and sparked amusement among fans, setting a lighthearted tone ahead of the grass-court Major.
The buzz around Raducanu and Alcaraz intensified after the announcement that the two would team up for mixed doubles at the 2025 US Open, a revamped event scheduled for August 19-20, just before the main draw. Their partnership, which Alcaraz initiated, fueled online chatter, with some fans and social media parody accounts suggesting the pair were “destined” for each other. “I’m glad the internet is having fun and we’re providing some entertainment for everyone,” Raducanu told the BBC, embracing the speculation with good humor. The duo’s chemistry was evident during a joint practice session at Wimbledon on June 27, where they were spotted laughing and joking while promoting their shared sponsor, Evian. “It was fun yesterday. We were both on court with Evian. Yeah, we were just getting some volley practicing ahead of New York,” Raducanu shared, emphasizing their professional camaraderie. “I’m really happy obviously to be playing with him. Yeah, we had a good time yesterday.”
Their friendship dates back to 2021, when both 18-year-olds were making waves on the professional circuit. “I’ve known him for years. Wimbledon 2021 was the first time I started getting to know him,” Raducanu recalled, noting how their paths crossed during her breakout run to the fourth round at Wimbledon and later at the US Open, where she clinched her historic 2021 title as a qualifier. “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,” she added. Alcaraz’s own breakthrough came at the 2021 US Open with a stunning third-round upset over Stefanos Tsitsipas, a moment Raducanu described as his “breakout win on a big stage.” Their shared experiences as young stars navigating the pressures of fame forged a “genuine connection,” as Raducanu put it, one that has endured despite Alcaraz’s meteoric rise to five Grand Slam titles, including his 2025 French Open victory.
The speculation was further stoked by Raducanu’s presence at Alcaraz’s matches during the Queen’s Club Championships in June 2025, where she was seen cheering him on as he claimed his second consecutive title with a 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2 victory over Jiri Lehecka. Reports noted their close interactions, with Raducanu arriving at the venue shortly after Alcaraz and the pair spotted laughing together. “He’s so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around,” Raducanu said, praising Alcaraz’s character. Alcaraz, in turn, expressed confidence in her game, telling Hypebeast, “She plays great. She’s struggling a little bit lately, but I’m pretty sure that she’s gonna get there. I have a lot of confidence in her.” His playful deference to her as “the boss” in their doubles partnership, saying, “I’m just gonna serve and I’m gonna pull myself away and I let her play,” added a layer of charm to their dynamic.
Raducanu’s 2025 season has been a tale of resilience. After a back injury and surgeries in 2023 that saw her ranking plummet to 289, she climbed to world No. 38 by Wimbledon, buoyed by a quarterfinal run at the Miami Open. Her 2025 Wimbledon campaign began with a commanding straight-sets win over Mimi Xu, but she fell in the third round to top seed Aryna Sabalenka. “Many feelings to compute but that was a mega night to have been part of,” Raducanu posted on Instagram, gracious in defeat. Alcaraz, meanwhile, battled past Fabio Fognini in a five-set thriller to start his title defense, aiming for a third consecutive Wimbledon crown.
Off the court, Raducanu faced personal challenges, including a stalking incident in February 2025 that left her shaken. Wimbledon’s security team intervened, blocking the individual from purchasing tickets, a move Raducanu gratefully acknowledged: “Wimbledon and everyone did an amazing job.” Her focus remained on her game and physical recovery, with ongoing treatments like “needles, soft tissue, some muscle stimulation stuff, taping, everything” to stay in top form.
The Alcaraz-Raducanu narrative, while entertaining, was met with playful commentary from peers. Former world No. 7 Danielle Collins teased Raducanu, calling her a “heartbreaker” in response to her press conference quip, while Nick Kyrgios jokingly suggested a “love triangle” involving Raducanu, Alcaraz, and British player Jack Draper. “I don’t know, I think it’s a love triangle,” Kyrgios said, adding fuel to the lighthearted gossip. Despite the chatter, Raducanu’s focus remained clear: delivering on the court and embracing her partnership with Alcaraz as a celebration of their long-standing friendship. As they prepare for the US Open, their dynamic promises to captivate fans, both for their tennis and their infectious camaraderie.
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