Emma Raducanu has expressed her surprise at the intense curiosity surrounding her dating life, especially after rumours linking her to fellow tennis star Carlos Alcaraz and a particularly odd question at Wimbledon.
The British No. 1’s friendship with Alcaraz first drew attention this summer when they were confirmed as mixed doubles partners for the upcoming US Open.
Earlier, she had been spotted cheering him on at the Queen’s Club grass-court tournament ahead of Wimbledon, sparking even more speculation.
Denying the Rumours
Ahead of Wimbledon, Raducanu tried to put the rumours to rest, insisting that she and Alcaraz were “just good friends.”
She admitted to The Guardian that while she expected a certain level of public curiosity as a professional athlete, she was taken aback by the fascination with her private life.
“I guess it comes with the territory, people being so curious,” she said.
“I think they’re more curious about this than any tennis results or news. I just keep myself to myself, my private life to one side.
It’s always funny when people try to find something out, but I try not to read into it so much.”
Wimbledon’s Bizarre Question
The scrutiny reached a bizarre level when fellow Brit Cameron Norrie was asked about a possible romance with Raducanu during Wimbledon.
A journalist asked Norrie if he was dating her, leaving the star visibly shocked.
“Sorry?” Norrie replied, clearly caught off guard. The journalist persisted, asking if he could clarify who Raducanu was dating.
Norrie responded firmly, “No, I’m not dating her. You can ask her,” shaking his head in disbelief.
Raducanu, when later asked about the incident, laughed and described the question as “terrible, terrible.”
Focused on Tennis and Building Friendships
Away from the gossip, Raducanu has shown strong form on court.
She reached the semi-finals of the Canadian Open and had a hard-fought three-set loss to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open.
Her rise to 33rd in the world rankings could earn her a seeding at this month’s US Open.
While she will first appear in the $1 million mixed doubles competition with Alcaraz, Raducanu emphasized that their relationship is rooted in long-standing friendship.
“He’s so nice, very happy, amazing values, and just a really positive light to be around,” she told Daily Mail Sport.
“I’ve known him for years. Wimbledon 2021 was when I started getting to know him better.
We kept in touch through the US Open, and it’s nice to maintain that connection.”
The Value of Long-Term Connections
Raducanu reflected on how friendships from her early years on tour remain meaningful even as her life grows busier.
“When you become more known or successful, you find yourself going back to people you knew from a young age because they’re real, genuine connections.
The friends you’ve had for a long time mean a lot more.”
For Raducanu, tennis will always come first, but maintaining these bonds is equally important as she navigates the pressures of the professional circuit.
