As dating rumors have continued to swirl around tennis stars Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, Raducanu attempted to set the record straight.
“We’re just good friends,” Raducanu, 22, said with a big smile during her pre-Wimbledon press conference on Saturday, June 28.
Buzz about Raducanu’s relationship with Alcaraz, 22, has picked up steam after the news that the pair plan to play mixed doubles together in the U.S. Open this summer.
Last week, Raducanu was asked about Alcaraz’s insinuation that she “took her time” giving him an answer about playing together.
“He asked me earlier on in the year and I was very surprised and honored and obviously excited,” Raducanu told the BBC on Tuesday, June 24. “I just went through the formality of asking my coach. But of course I was going to say yes.”
Raducanu was asked about tennis fans on social media who think she and Alcaraz are “destined” to be together.
“I’m glad the internet is having fun and we’re providing some entertainment for everyone,” she said with a laugh.
While she didn’t give into the dating speculation, Raducanu explained that her friendship with Alcaraz means a great deal to her.
“We go back a long way,” she told the BBC. “I think we both started to get to know each other a lot more in 2021 when I had that little run at Wimbledon.”
Raducanu made it to the 4th round of Wimbledon as a wild card in 2021, eventually being forced to retire in her match against Ajla Tomljanovic with breathing difficulties.
“Ever since, we’ve stayed in touch,” Raducanu added. “He’s done so well obviously since and continued winning. It’s been amazing to see because we were speaking and friends before anyone won anything.”
Alcaraz is a five-time major champion, most recently taking home his second French Open title earlier this month.
Months after her Wimbledon breakthrough, Raducanu won the 2021 U.S. Open, becoming the first qualifier in history to win a major title.
Alcaraz was asked about the “good chemistry” between himself and Raducanu in a pre-Wimbledon interview of his own.
“She plays great,” Alcaraz told Hypebeast in an interview posted on Sunday, June 29. “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 … Her game is pretty high. I trust that she’s gonna be on the top very soon.”
Alcaraz and Raducanu both kicked off their 2025 Wimbledon singles’ journeys on Monday, June 30. They will hit the court together when the 2025 U.S. Open begins Sunday, August 24, in New York City.
