**Emma Raducanu’s Friendship with Carlos Alcaraz Sparks Intense Media Speculation Ahead of US Open Doubles Collaboration**
British tennis star Emma Raducanu has inadvertently set the rumour mill spinning after a recent BBC interview gave rise to speculation over her close relationship with Spanish champion Carlos Alcaraz. The pair are scheduled to team up in the mixed doubles at this year’s US Open, a partnership which has attracted significant attention, not only due to their sporting prowess but also for the chemistry evident between them.
During her interview, Raducanu shared insights into how her friendship with Alcaraz developed, noting that their bond strengthened back in 2021 during their respective breakthroughs at Wimbledon and the US Open. Despite persistent conjecture among fans and commentators about whether their relationship might extend beyond the tennis court, both stars have so far remained tight-lipped, neither confirming nor denying any romantic involvement.
Raducanu responded with warmth and laughter when asked about the widespread ‘shipping’ of the duo online, indicating that she found the attention amusing. “I’m glad the internet is having fun,” she remarked, drawing a clear line between enjoying the public’s interest and feeding the speculation. She continued by describing the origins of their friendship, reminiscing about how both were making waves on the tennis scene at the same time. “We go back a long way… ever since, we’ve stayed in touch and he’s done so well since,” she said, referencing their mutual support through their early successes.
Following Raducanu’s interview, body language expert Darren Stanton weighed in on the nature of her feelings for Alcaraz. According to Stanton, there were moments in the exchange where Raducanu’s emotional response seemed to intensify, particularly when Alcaraz’s name came up. “Her face lights up and her pupils dilate,” he commented, suggesting there might be more to their friendship than meets the eye. Stanton clarified, however, that while a deep friendship is evident, there is no concrete public evidence of a romantic relationship at this stage.
Stanton’s analysis did, however, raise an interesting point about the subtleties of emotions often visible when discussing someone special. He noted a shift in Raducanu’s manner when the interviewer moved from discussing tennis in general to asking about Alcaraz. “She starts to look down and left, a typical sign of internal dialogue and careful consideration,” he observed. Such cues, while not definitive, can often hint at stronger underlying feelings, according to body language experts.
The upcoming US Open will see Raducanu and Alcaraz join forces in what is likely to be one of the most closely-watched mixed doubles pairings in recent memory. Alcaraz, who recently secured victory at the HSBC Championships, has been in imperious form, boosting expectations for their partnership on court. Raducanu, meanwhile, is working to regain top form after a second-round defeat at the Lexus Eastbourne Open this week to rising star Maya Joint.
For now, Raducanu appears fully focused on her tennis, expressing delight at the opportunity to play with Alcaraz, whom she describes as a longstanding friend and admired competitor. “It was always going to be a yes from me,” she stated when asked about accepting Alcaraz’s invitation to team up in the doubles competition.
As they prepare for their on-court collaboration, both players face the challenge of maintaining their professional focus amid mounting outside interest. While the nature of their relationship may remain under wraps for now, the partnership undoubtedly brings an added layer of intrigue to this year’s US Open mixed doubles draw.
From a broader perspective, the story underlines the magnifying effect that media and fan speculation can have on young athletes in the social media era. Whether Raducanu and Alcaraz are simply close friends, or if there is indeed a deeper connection, only time will tell. For tennis fans, however, all eyes will be on Flushing Meadows this August to see if their off-court rapport translates into on-court success.