Raducanu jokes and reveals her relationship with Alcaraz: "I have to keep him at bay"
The Briton gave details on how their tandem was formed ahead of the upcoming US Open and confessed that she has known the man from Murcia since 2021.
Much has been said in recent days about the relationship between Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz. Perhaps driven by the interactions and small doses of 'fan service' that they have been generating during the week of the young Spaniard at Queen's, they have been very open about making their sympathies clear, giving rise to all kinds of speculations and theories that they have never wanted to silence.
It all started, of course, with the announcement of the US Open 2025: Emma and Carlos would share the court in the revamped mixed doubles discipline, in an exhibition with many spectacular pairs... but among which, of course, the one formed by the British and the Spaniard attracted attention: young, outgoing, and brand magnets, the hook was already set. Days later, when Raducanu was spotted in the stands at Queen's, with her friends, during the young Spaniard's match, the photos went viral and added fuel to the fire.
It was Carlos who confirmed that he took the first step to team up in New York, and he needed to wait for some time to receive his partner's OK; Emma, in statements to Express, has confirmed the episode, joking and "playing" with Carlos saying that he had to "keep him in check.""Of course, I had to ask my team if they wanted me to play doubles. When he asked me, I was going to say yes, but I simply had to go through the formality of asking my coach; I was not going to make the decision just like that."
IT ALL STARTED IN NEW YORK... AND THE EXPLANATION OF WHY SHE WENT TO SEE HIM AT QUEEN'S
It was precisely in "the concrete jungle" where the relationship between Alcaraz and Raducanu began to take shape. Both were indisputable protagonists of the 2021 edition: Carlos left his mark in the Majors, reaching the quarterfinals and emerging as the circuit's great gem, while the British player, quite simply, made history by winning the title from the qualifying rounds. What we didn't know, of course, was that the young Spaniard played a significant role in the motivation levels of the eventual winner, a connection that made their relationship even stronger.
"I've known him for a few years. At Wimbledon 2021, I started to get to know him and had a very good run, and then came the US Open 2021. I remember he always played a day before me: I saw him win, and that motivated me to do the same. I remember he beat Stef (Tsitsipas) in the third round, and it was a great triumph, his breakthrough moment in a Grand Slam: it was fantastic, in a way, to experience that tournament together and to keep advancing through the US Open draw; we stayed in touch all the time. It was beautiful."
Although the life paths of both players have changed since those two weeks in New York, Emma still greatly values those bonds forged in their youth, a very important factor in accepting Carlos's proposal. "We still have a good relationship. It's clear he has surpassed me, but it's great to see that it's still there. I think we all value those bonds we create when we were younger, because when you become more well-known or successful, you realize that you want to talk to people you've known from childhood; you feel that there's a genuine and real connection there: friends you've known for a long time mean more to you."
The presence of the British player in the stands at Queen's last Saturday, watching Carlos defeat Roberto Bautista in the semifinals, is not as surprising after these statements; however, Emma doesn't have much confidence that her good friend Carlos will "respond" by going to see her at Eastbourne, where he will compete again. "I don't think so, I don't think so (smiles). I was left with some amazing volleys, now it's his turn to bring a lot of magic to New York (laughs). I had the day off on Saturday, I was with my friends, and we thought about going to Queen's, watching the tournament. We went to the River Cafe in the afternoon, it was a great afternoon, and I arrived here (Eastbourne) on Sunday." As Carlos prepares for Wimbledon, Emma also seeks to gain some confidence before debuting at home... will they repeat the same successes as those two weeks in New York?
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Raducanu bromea y desvela su relación con Alcaraz: "Tengo que mantenerlo a raya"