The tennis world is buzzing over Queen’s Champion Carlos Alcaraz’s friendship with British tennis star Emma Raducanu – who will be his doubles partner at the US Open – after she was spotted supporting him at one of his matches at the weekend. Fans have been speculating the nature of the pair’s partnership online, with many accounts suggesting that the two are destined for each other.
This comes following the announcement that the duo will be paired with each other in the mixed doubles at the US Open later this year. When asked if she was aware of the elaborate social media theories, Raducanu laughed and said to BBC Sport: “No, not quite to that extent but I’m glad the internet is having fun and that we’re providing some entertainment for everyone.
She added: “We go back a long way and we both started getting to know each other a lot more in 2021. He’s done so well obviously since and continued winning and it’s been amazing to see because we were speaking and friends before anyone won anything, you know.”
Raducanu explained how Alcaraz asked her to partner up: “He asked me earlier on in the year and I was very surprised and honoured and obviously excited. I just went through the formality of asking my coach but of course I was going to say yes.”
Alcaraz said of their partnership to Wales Online: “I’m super excited about it. I think it’s going to be great. It was an amazing idea for the tournament. I was thinking that I couldn’t play better if it wasn’t with Emma.
“I just asked Emma if she wants to play doubles with me. Yeah, I made that special request. She took a while to respond.
“Not that much, not that much! But obviously she had to ask, and she had to think a little bit. But it wasn’t a minute!
“I have known Emma for a really long time. I have a really good relationship with her. We are gonna enjoy it for sure. We will try to win. But obviously it’s going to be really, really fun.”
Raducanu came to see Alcaraz play in the last four at Queen’s on Saturday, being pictured on the Queen’s balcony. After securing his 17th win in succession, Alcaraz beamed: “I saw on social media she came up to watch my match. I’m just glad.
“I mean, I was focused on the match. I didn’t see her afterwards. I am just glad that she came to support me, to watch my match. Yeah, I think it was great having her in the stands.”
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