Injured Alcaraz out of Madrid Open
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Emma Raducanu reveals how she feels about Carlos Alcaraz dating rumours ahead of hotly anticipated Mixed Doubles pairing - and what she thought of bizarre Cam Norrie romance question
Emma Raducanu has revealed her bemusement at scrutiny into her her dating life, following speculation linking her to Carlos Alcaraz and a bizarre question at Wimbledon. Rumours of a potential romance with Alcaraz had been sparked earlier this summer when the pair had been confirmed as mixed doubles partners in a revamped competition at the US Open, which will begin next week. The British star had then been spotted spotting Alcaraz at Queen's in June, with the grass-court tournament building up towards Wimbledon. Alcaraz's confirmation as an ambassador of Evian, who a long-term partner of Raducanu, led to the British No 1 being asked about the rumours ahead of Wimbledon. Raducanu had attempted to end the speculation by insisting that they were just 'good friends'. Speaking ahead of the US Open, where Raducanu shot to fame by winning the 2021 event as a qualifier, she expressed her surprise at the desire to find out about her dating life. The British star was the subject of romance rumours with Carlos Alcaraz over the summer Rumours had intensified after Raducanu watched Alcaraz at Queen's after their mixed doubles pairing at the US Open had been announced 'I guess I'm like, it comes with the territory, people being so curious,' Raducanu told the Guardian. 'I think they're more curious about this news than any tennis results and tennis news. 'But I just keep myself to myself, my private life to one side. 'It's always funny when people try to find something out, but I try not to read into it so much.' The scrutiny on Raducanu's dating life had reached a bizarre level when fellow British star Cameron Norrie had been asked about a possible romance between the pair during Wimbledon. A journalist had asked Norrie: 'Aside from the fact that everyone here loves tennis, there are some rumors circulating about Emma Raducanu's relationship. May I ask if you're with her? Can we clear this up, please?' The bemused star, who has a long-term partner, appeared shocked and replied 'Sorry?' The journalist then said 'I'm trying to find out who Emma Raducanu is dating. It seems to be a topic among the men's draw. I was wondering if you're dating her?' Norrie responded 'No, I'm not dating her. You can ask her', with the visibly frustrated star seen shaking his head following the question. When broached about the question for the first time, Raducanu reportedly laughed before stating 'That was terrible, terrible'. On the court, Raducanu has shown impressive form in the build-up to the US Open later this month. She reached the semi-finals of the Canadian Open and this week suffered an agonising three set defeat to current women's world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open. Her recent climb to 33rd in the world rankings could be enough to see Raducanu earn a seeding for the US Open women's singles event. Raducanu, however, is currently due to first feature in the $1million mixed doubles competition alongside Alcaraz. The 22-year-old had previously explained to Daily Mail Sport that her friendship with Alcaraz, a five-time Grand Slam champion, had stemmed from the pair growing up on tour together. 'He's so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around,' said Raducanu. 'I've known him for years. Wimbledon 2021 was the first time I started getting to know him. He was always playing the day before me, I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too. The British No 1 has shown impressive signs ahead of the US Open, where she triumphed in 2021 'It was really cool to go through that tournament together and then I kept going through the US Open, we were staying in touch for the whole time and, yeah, it's nice. 'We have a good relationship still. He's obviously overtaken me a lot, but it's nice that we have that from a while ago. 'I think, for all of us, we really value those connections we had from when we were young. 'When you become a bit more known or more successful, you find yourself reverting back people you knew from a young age because you're like, that's a real genuine connection.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Mikel Arteta leaves fans baffled with 'three year' Arsenal Premier League boast
Arsenal get their Premier League season underway against Manchester United on Sunday and will hope to finally win a title under Mikel Arteta after finishing third three times under the Spaniard Mike Arteta has already drawn the attention of Arsenal's naysayers after the Gunners boss made a baffling comment in his first press conference of the season. The north London side get the campaign underway with a clash against Manchester United on Sunday as Arteta and co once again target a league title. Arsenal have seen plenty of investment this summer and signed Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and finally a striker in the shape of Viktor Gyokeres. Sporting director Andrea Berta has been busy in the transfer window and will hope his work has strengthened Arteta's hand. The Spanish coach has overseen three consecutive second-place finishes in the top-flight and agonisingly missed out on adding Arsenal's first Premier League title. And Arteta remains adamant he will keep working to deliver what is required at the Emirates. "Yeah, you keep digging, digging, digging and you have to be digging because one day the gold is going to be there. That's all the time. When I've been taught, when I've been educated and that's it," said Arteta. "For three seasons we've had more points than any other team in this league, which is incredible. That's how you have all the consistency. Now we have to do it in a season to have one more point or the same amount of points and more goals different than any other team. That's the objective." The issue with Arteta's hypothesis is that it's not exactly correct. Despite finishing above Manchester City last season, it is Pep Guardiola's side who have still tallied the most points in the last three seasons. City claimed 251 points, Arsenal 247 and Liverpool 233. "Factually incorrect," pointed out one fan, "Second again." "Its hurts to always fail," another added. "'We've had more points than any other team in this league'. Clearly not son, else you'd have three titles, no?" "Even though he has never reached the lofty height of 90 points, he speaks as if he has experienced a tremendous championship battle," noted a further rival. "Keep digging bro… might find yourself in championship and eventually win it," joked another fan. And with the same sentiment one supporter said: "Keep digging, one day you might end up in Chelsea 's trophy room… still looking for something you can actually win." Nevertheless, Arteta is keen to get the season underway. "I'm super excited, I can't wait. It's been a really productive pre-season. We've made such an evolution in the squad as well and we're ready to go," he said. "The mood of the place, the energy around it, the enthusiasm that the boys, the staff came with from day one, now we're going to do better, to keep improving as a team and to win. That's what drives my energy and that's why I'm so excited." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Marcus Rashford faces Barcelona registration nightmare as boss Hansi Flick hits out
Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona from Manchester United in a season-long loan deal in July but faces a nervous wait to learn if he can make his La Liga debut this weekend Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has expressed his frustration as Barcelona's financial issues have stood in the way of the club registering Marcus Rashford for the new season. Rashford joined on loan from Manchester United in the summer, but Barca are required to comply with La Liga rules on wage budgets before he is able to feature in the competition. Rashford isn't the only player in the situation, which relates to strict financial rules which all La Liga clubs need to abide by. New goalkeeper Joan Garcia needs to be registered, while the same applies to fellow stopper Wojciech Szczesny after the Polish international signed new terms withh the club. Barca can cover some of the required budget through captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen's medical leave agreement, which frees up 80 percent of the German's wages for new registrations during his period out injured. They used a similar arrangement last summer to register Dani Olmo after Andreas Christensen was ruled out for a lengthy period, and announced plans to formally register Garcia in the light of Ter Stegen's situation. Even so, Flick has been left in a less than ideal situation ahead of Saturday's opener against Mallorca. 'For me, the situation, you can imagine I'm not happy about that. But I know the situation and I believe in the club,' the boss told reporters on Friday. 'We have to wait till tomorrow. It was the same situation last season. We will focus on what we can change and what is in our hands. The other things, I believe in the club.' Ter Stegen's decision came after an initial refusal from the Germany international, which saw him briefly stripped of the captaincy but things now appear to be more rosier between player and club. 'I think the most important thing is that everyone speaks together. Marc and the club, they spoke,' Flick added, 'The most important thing for me, for Marc and the club is that he comes back. He's shown for many years here that he's a fantastic goalkeeper and the important thing is that he comes back and is ready to play. We'll all help him, we're all on his side.' Rashford and Garcia have both played in pre-season despite the uncertainty over the league opener. Both started the Joan Gamper Trophy, Barca's final warm-up game ahead of the new season, with Rashford setting up a goal for Raphinha in a 5-0 victory over Como. The England international has been learning Spanish to help converse with his new team-mates, some of whom also speak Catalan, while those with a good command of English have also helped him settle in quickly. 'There are good people who are like a bridge. Frenkie [de Jong] speaks really good English, Jules [Kounde] speaks very good English, but they also have good Spanish because they've been here a few years," Rashford said on The Rest is Football podcast. 'But on the pitch, honestly it's easier than what I thought it would be. Also football overall, I know a lot of people say it, but it's a language in itself and it's easy to communicate through the general vibe on the pitch.'
