Emma Raducanu Responds to Fans’ Claims of She and Carlos Alcaraz Are ‘Destined for Each Other’

Carlos Alcaraz had made a special request to Emma Raducanu to team up with him for mixed doubles at this year's US Open.

Emma Raducanu Responds to Fans’ Claims of She and Carlos Alcaraz Are ‘Destined for Each Other’

Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu (Image via X/alcaraz archive, Eurosport)

Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz are ‘destined for each other’- that’s what some parody accounts are claiming. Raducanu is in Eastbourne for the WTA 250 grass-court event and there she was asked about her relationship with Alcaraz.

Raducanu told BBC Sports that she and Alcaraz have known each other since 2021 and how his matches at the US Open that year motivated her. The Brit later went to lift the title, while Alcaraz lifted his the following year.

Raducanu was also spotted in the stands during one of Alcaraz’s matches, and this sparked dating rumors. The youngsters have joined forces, for this year’s US Open mixed doubles, and the tennis community can’t wait to watch them play together.

Raducanu couldn’t stop laughing when the BBC interviewer told her how parody accounts are suggesting that she and Alcaraz are destined for each other; and that because she hurt her back, Alcaraz couldn’t concentrate on his Qatar Open campaign and eventually lost in the quarterfinal. When asked if she was aware of such claims, she said:

No, not quite to that extent but I’m glad the internet is having fun and we’re providing some entertainment for everyone (laughs).

Since their US Open wins, while Alcaraz captured four more Majors, Raducanu still hasn’t yet progressed to a singles final. Alcaraz recently lifted his fourth grass-cour title at the Queen’s Club Championships by beating Jiri Lehecka. There, Raducanu succumbed to defeat in the quarterfinals against 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist Qinwen Zheng.

Raducanu will kick-start her Eastbourne International campaign against Ann Li. Last year, eventual winner Daria Kasatkina knocked her out in the quarterfinals of this event.

After Eastbourne, Raducanu will start her preparation for Wimbledon, where she has never progressed beyond the fourth round. Last year, she lost to New Zealand’s Lulu Sun in the last 16.

Andy Roddick backs Carlos Alcaraz to win his third Wimbledon title

Carlos Alcaraz will be entering the grass-court Major as the two-time defending champion. In the last two seasons, he defeated 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the finals.

Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (3)
Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Univers Tennis)

He is on an 18-match winning streak thanks to his victories in Rome and Paris. In both these events, he defeated his arch-rival Jannik Sinner, whom he could meet in the Wimbledon final as well.

Although Andy Roddick considers Sinner one of the contenders at SW19 and believes anything can happen, he thinks Alcaraz will be entering Wimbledon as the heavy favorite to extend his match-winning streak to 25. He told the Tennis Channel Live podcast:

He’s number one in the world. He’s been the best player in the world for the last…however long, especially on hard-court. Let’s not get carried away with these results, but Carlos was the favorite at Wimbledon before Queen’s, and he’s favorite after Queen’s as well. I don’t think anyone would argue against that.

Sinner too has arrived in London and started his training for Wimbledon, where he was the semifinalist in 2023 (lost to Djokovic). Last year, Daniil Medvedev ended his run in the quarterfinals.

Before landing in London, the 23-year-old failed to defend his Halle Open title as he lost to eventual winner Alexander Bublik in the second round. At Wimbledon, the three-time Grand Slam champion will be chasing his second grass-court title.

He has so far won just the Australian Open this year. Alcaraz, on the other hand, has bagged four titles, including three on the clay swing. He will be aiming to complete the Channel Slam for two consecutive seasons. If the two rivals meet at Wimbledon, then it will be their third encounter this season. Alcaraz holds an 8-4 head-to-head record over the World No.1.

Also read: Nick Kyrgios Slams BBC for Axing him from Wimbledon Coverage