Emma Raducanu has spoken glowingly of how ‘really special’ it was to have her ‘rock’ in her box on Centre Court at Wimbledon for her second round victory on Wednesday (July 2). Rumours of a romance had been growing about Emma, 22, and former tennis prodigy and long-time friend Ben Heynold, 24.
Ben has been seen supporting her at Queen’s Club before Wimbledon and was in her box alongside another friend as Emma beat former Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová in straight sets 6-3 6-3. Speaking after her victory Emma appeared to dismiss the speculation by describing the ‘really special’ people in her box on Centre Court as ‘friends from secondary school and childhood.”
Ben, who Emma met on the tennis circuit aged six, is a student at North Carolina University in the US. After her victory Emma said it had become an annual tradition to have her best pals come and watch her at Wimbledon.
She said: “It’s so rad. I have all of them here in one place. They’ve been my rock through everything. They’re the . That was really special.
“I had the same sort of routine last year. I just really cherish these moments because we know how hard it is week to week playing on the tour. When we’re here in this sort of environment feeling at home, it’s so special. I think it’s important to take it in. You don’t know the next day how it’s going to go.”
Emma was left grinning from ear to ear after setting up a blockbuster third-round clash with world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Friday (July 4). She’s been joined in the last 32 by fellow Brits Sonay Kartal and Cameron Norrie.
‘When I look over to them, it just gives me an extra boost of motivation’
Asked where the friends were from, she said: “A lot of them live in America. They’re friends from secondary school, childhood. One of them [Ben] I’ve known since I was six-years-old. Then another one since I was 14.
“I think it adds more significance because they never really get to come and watch me. We made it an annual thing. They can come to Wimbledon. It aligns with everyone’s calendar.
“it’s just so special. They’re in the box there. When I look over to them, it just gives me an extra boost of motivation.”
While she said of playing in front of superstars in the Royal Box, which yesterday included rocker Dave Grohl, Olympic legend Tom Daley and Glastonbury star Olivia Rodrigo: “It definitely adds a bit of pressure, I guess, if you look up and you kind of recognise.
“That’s why I try and stay with my eyes on the court as much as possible. Only after you kind of look up and take it all in, if they’re still there.”
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