Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper's feelings on each other become clear as his words say it all

Wales Online

12-05-2025

Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper's feelings on each other become clear as his words say it all
Emma Raducanu is one of the biggest stars in British sport having won the US Open in 2021 - but the 19-year-old has faced criticism for breaking a Wimbledon rule
Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper
(Image: Tennis First )
Emma Raducanu's improving form has continued this week as she now takes on world No. 2 Coco Gauff in the last 16 of the Italian Open on Monday.
Raducanu's career on the court has been beset by problems since becoming an overnight superstar in 2021 with a stunning US Open title win from nowhere. Numerous coaches have come and gone, while she has also been a victim of unwanted attention from a fan and has faced criticism for losing focus on the sport after becoming a big celebrity.
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Her personal life, romantic relationships, and a Wimbledon controversy have all been under the spotlight, but she has someone close to her to support her through it all.
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Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper's relationship status
There has been speculation surrounding Raducanu's connections with tennis peers, such as a possible romance with Carlos Alcaraz, but it is her close bond with fellow Brit Jack Draper that has caught the eye.
Their connection is said to be purely platonic but there's no doubt they care for each other greatly, given what they have both said.
The British duo were born just a year apart and have come through the ranks together and formed a close friendship over the years, supporting each other away from the court.
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Draper has said of Raducanu: "She has always been there for me and I have always been there for her. She's very kind, very thoughtful, always giggling, really smart. A really, really good girl."
He added: "What Emma did was obviously incredibly inspiring," he told reporters. "I've known her from a young age, and to see what she did was incredible.
'I was very proud of her, very excited. Obviously, we've watched the likes of Andy Murray winning a Grand Slam from Great Britain, but her winning, it was just really a fairy-tale run.
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'I definitely think as a competitor, it fuelled my fire. I really wanted to achieve what she'd done, winning a Grand Slam. At the same time I do understand that the men's and the women's, it is different. We're playing five sets. It's a different physical challenge and all these types of things. [But] I learned a lot from watching Emma win, that run, and how amazing she was.'
Following Draper's recent move into the world's top five, Raducanu returned the compliment, saying: 'It's amazing to see what he's achieved and how much he's done. I know he's a great tennis player and he [has] such a big stature that he can take the game out of anyone's hands. For him to kind of dominate like he has been is really cool to see.'
Emma Raducanu in Rome this week
(Image: Emma Raducanu/ Instagram )
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Does Emma Raducanu have a boyfriend?
The tennis circuit was abuzz with rumours last year after Romeo Beckham was spotted at Wimbledon watching Raducanu, sparking speculation about their relationship following her recent split from her boyfriend.
As Emma Raducanu glided to a straight-sets triumph over Elise Mertens in round two, the glare of the spotlight wasn't reserved solely for her. Romeo Beckham, David and Victoria's second son, caught the attention of many, with the company of friends and ex-Germany player Sami Khedira in the stands.
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The 22 year old former Brentford footballer, whose passion for tennis is well-known – marked notably by his training stint with Andy Murray – unwittingly turned heads at the match. The Beckhams' fondness for Raducanu isn't hushed news; indeed, David Beckham was glimpsed alongside his mum, Sandra, ensconced in Wimbledon's prestigious Royal Box, as they cheered on the burgeoning tennis sensation.
While Romeo's attendance could simply stem from admiration for Raducanu, it did stir up chatter and speculative buzz, especially after he posted an Instagram snap of Raducanu mid-game, adorned with heart emojis.
But for Raducanu, Romeo's presence was taken in stride. She commented: "I mean, I think he's, yeah, he's really cool," recognising her esteem for the Beckham name and the influence David Beckham has had on British sport.
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The tennis star previously parted ways with Carlo Agostinelli, an aspiring footballer who briefly played for Tottenham Hotspur before joining Stanford University's team. He is the son of billionaire Robert Agostinelli.
Raducanu and Agostinelli's split came after the pair started dating around May 2023, appearing together at several events such as the Dior 2024 Cruise show in Mexico. They were last spotted together at Paris Fashion Week.
The breakup seemed confirmed when Raducanu unfollowed her ex on social media ahead of Wimbledon.
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What Wimbledon rule did Emma Raducanu break?
The young tennis star reportedly caused a stir at Wimbledon's All England Club last year by allegedly breaking a dress code that has been in place for 150 years. She was accused of "arrogance" for reportedly ignoring the club's strict all-white attire rule, which applies to both matches and practice sessions at SW19, as well as the main Grand Slam event in the summer.
According to the Daily Mail, Raducanu was practising on the courts in "whatever she wants", much to the annoyance of some club members.
The All England Club's strict dress code, dating back to the 1880s, demands players don "suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white" upon entering the court. Despite a 2023 amendment allowing women to wear dark undershorts for menstrual concerns, the rules are still tight, reports Wales Online.
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White attire must not be off-white or cream, and only a trim of a single colour up to 10mm is allowed on necklines or sleeve cuffs.
Yet, Raducanu reportedly turned heads by arriving in a pink outfit, leading to a member's complaint to the Mail: "It's so unfair. Who does she think she is? Just because she's won the US Open doesn't mean she can wear whatever she wants."
Raducanu isn't alone in causing a stir over dress code; Nick Kyrgios made waves in 2022 with his red Nike Jordan shoes and cap, although he switched to white gear later.
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Even Roger Federer faced criticism for sporting orange-soled shoes at the prestigious venue.
Emma Raducanu's net worth
The 22 year old's remarkable triumph at the 2021 US Open propelled her to global stardom, turning her from an unknown teenage qualifier into the fresh face of British tennis overnight. Her historic victory shattered several records as she became the first ever qualifier to clinch a Grand Slam title and the first British woman to do so since Virginia Wade's Wimbledon success in 1977.
At a tender age of 18, she was also the youngest Grand Slam champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004. Naturally, securing that title dramatically altered Raducanu's life, as she swiftly graced the cover of every newspaper and magazine, was crowned the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year and even received an MBE for her contributions to tennis.
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Endorsement deals rapidly followed, and she soon became a brand ambassador for luxury brands such as Dior, Tiffany and Porsche, as well as corporations like HSBC, Vodafone and British Airways. Raducanu has also inked contracts with Nike, Wilson and Evian, while she has starred in adverts for Sports Direct too.
All of this means that, besides her career earnings which currently sit at just over £3 million, Raducanu is reported to have an impressive net worth. According to the Sunday Times Rich List, it is estimated to be around £10 million, with Forbes last year ranking her as the sixth highest-paid tennis player globally.
The British sensation is teetering on the edge of an even more lucrative horizon, as insiders project that with a repeat of her 2021 triumphs, she might surpass an eye-watering £100 million in wealth. A prominent sports agent conveyed to MailOnline, "She can easily earn £100 million or more. The sky's the limit."