Emma Raducanu Laughs Off Relationship Rumors with US Open Mixed Doubles Partner Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu will be facing Fabio Fognini and Mingge Xu in their respective first round at Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu Laughs Off Relationship Rumors with US Open Mixed Doubles Partner Carlos Alcaraz

Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Lorenzo MUSANGAMFURA)

Among other things, the tennis world is also keeping a close eye on Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu, for many believe the two youngsters are dating. They have known each other since 2021 and Alcaraz approached her to pair up with him when the US Open decided to hold the mixed doubles during the qualifying week.

Wimbledon starts on June 30. Raducanu will kick-start her campaign against compatriot Mingge Xu, whom she will be facing for the first time. In the pre-tournament press conference, when Raducanu was asked about the dating rumors with Alcaraz, she said: “We’re just good friends.” That was the end of her press conference and Raducanu joked: “Way to wrap up (laughs).“

Alcaraz will be entering Wimbledon to defend his title for the second time. In the previous two finals, he upset 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard is also aiming to complete the Channel Slam for two consecutive seasons as before Wimbledon, he defended his French Open title by beating Jannik Sinner.

Raducanu, however, has never progressed beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon, reaching the stage in 2021 and 2024. Last year, Lulu Sun ended her campaign.

The Brit is still searching for her first title since her fairytale run at the 2021 US Open. Since that victory, the only time Raducanu was successful in winning four consecutive matches in a tournament was in this year’s Miami Open, where she lost to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals.

Jack Draper shares how Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have changed the game

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have ensured that tennis is in good hands after the Big 3. They have won the last six Majors, with Novak Djokovic being the last player other than them to emerge as a winner in a Grand Slam event (2023 US Open).

Jannik Sinner, Jack Draper, Carlos Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner, Jack Draper, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Australian Open, BNP Paribas Open, TNT Sports)

At Wimbledon, apart from Sinner and Alcaraz, Jack Draper too will be playing as one of the contenders. He has won one grass-court title (2024 Stuttgart Open) and this year, he lifted the Indian Wells Masters as well as reached the Madrid Open final (lost to Casper Ruud). During The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Draper shared what changes he thinks Sinner and Alcaraz brought to the men’s tour.

They’ve really set the bar for the next group of players who are kind of following in their footsteps. Tennis has become like a really aggressive power sport, and so the margins are getting smaller and smaller.

Draper is projected to square off against Djokovic in the quarterfinal, Sinner in the semifinal, and Alcaraz in the final. He has lost his only match against the Serb, while against the World No.1, the Brit holds a 1-1 head-to-head record. Draper has met the five-time Grand Slam champion six times, winning two of these matches.

But those guys are definitely stepped up after Rafa [Nadal], Roger [Federer], Novak, and, yeah, it’s nice to be chasing them out like I have chased those other top ones. 100%, there’s a pack of really, really good young players coming up who want to dominate like the ones before.

Jack Draper added

At Wimbledon, Alcaraz will kick-start his campaign against Fabio Fognini, while Sinner will play compatriot Luca Nardi. Draper will be facing Sebastian Baez.

Sinner has never played in the Wimbledon final, reaching the semifinal in 2023 (lost to Djokovic), while last year, Daniil Medvedev eliminated him in the quarterfinal. If Alcaraz and Sinner reach the final, they could set up a clash in a Grand Slam final for the second time.

Draper has never progressed beyond the second round of the grass-court Major, reaching the stage twice, in 2021 and 2024. Last year, compatriot Cameron Norrie ended his run.

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