Emma Raducanu, British No. 1, offered a poised and classy response to fans urging her to date Carlos Alcaraz, world No. 2, during an Eastbourne press conference, per Express. Addressing the rampant “Alcaraz/Raducanu” speculation fueled by her presence at Alcaraz’s Queen’s Club semifinal win on June 21 and their upcoming US Open mixed doubles partnership on August 4-9, Raducanu smiled and said, “I’m flattered by the enthusiasm, but Carlos and I are just great friends. We’ve known each other since our junior days, and I’m excited to play doubles with him. Let’s keep the focus on tennis,” per Daily Mail.
Her composed reply, which avoided engaging with the romantic narrative, earned praise for its professionalism, with X posts like @RaducanuNews lauding her “classy deflection,” per. Alcaraz, who has also dismissed the rumors, calling them “nonsense,” appreciated her support at Queen’s, per Mundo Deportivo. Raducanu’s response reflects her focus on her career, especially as she manages back spasms and prepares for Wimbledon, starting June 30, per BBC Sport. The duo’s friendship, rooted in their 2021 US Open breakthroughs, continues to captivate fans, per The Guardian.
