As Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz gear up for their much-hyped mixed doubles partnership at the 2025 US Open, set for August 19-20 during Fan Week, the tennis world has been buzzing with speculation about a possible romance between the two Grand Slam champions. The “Alcaranu” duo, set to face top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper in a daunting first-round match, have firmly addressed these dating rumors, emphasizing their bond is strictly platonic. Despite their clarifications, the off-court narrative has sparked widespread interest, adding intrigue to their high-profile collaboration.
The rumors ignited when the US Open announced their wildcard pairing on June 17, 2025, sending social media into a frenzy (www.express.co.uk). Raducanu’s presence cheering for Alcaraz at the Queen’s Club Championships, where she watched his semifinal and final wins, and their joint appearance at an Evian sponsor event fueled speculation (www.sportskeeda.com, www.thesun.co.uk). British tabloids reported a “spark” between them, noting they arrived minutes apart at Queen’s and shared lighthearted moments (www.thesun.co.uk). A post on X captured the excitement, stating, “Emma and Carlos’ friendship was the talk of Queens—people think there’s something going on” (@SunSport, August 19, 2025).
Raducanu tackled the rumors with humor in a BBC interview on June 23, 2025, saying, “I’m glad the internet is having fun, and we’re providing some entertainment for everyone” (www.express.co.uk). At Wimbledon, she reiterated, “We’re just good friends,” brushing off further questions with a laugh (www.theguardian.com). Alcaraz echoed this in a Daily Mail interview, emphasizing their long-standing connection: “I’ve known Emma for a really long time… We have a really good relationship” (www.dailymail.co.uk). Their friendship, rooted in their breakout 2021 seasons at Wimbledon and the US Open, is built on mutual respect, with Raducanu praising Alcaraz’s “amazing values” and “positive light” (www.sportskeeda.com).
Despite their denials, the speculation persisted, with Raducanu telling The Guardian, “I guess it comes with the territory, people being so curious… I keep my private life to one side” (www.theguardian.com). The scrutiny even led to an awkward moment when Cameron Norrie was asked if he was dating Raducanu, prompting her to call the question “terrible” (www.theguardian.com). Both players, previously linked to others—Alcaraz to Maria Gonzalez Gimenez and Raducanu to Carlo Agostinelli—confirmed their single status, focusing on their careers (www.sportskeeda.com). As they navigate a tough draw, Raducanu’s injury concerns, and Alcaraz’s tight schedule post-Cincinnati, their friendship mirrors the camaraderie of Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin in the Davis Cup, shining through the noise as they aim for mixed doubles success.
