Emma Raducanu comes clean on Carlos Alcaraz relationship as rumour mill runs wild
Emma Raducanu has put any rumours of a relationship with Carlos Alcaraz to bed.
Raducanu and Alcaraz, both 22, have been subject to swirling rumours about a potential romance after they announced they would be teaming up as doubles partners for the US Open later this summer.
The pair will team up at the Billie Jean King Tennis Centre in August as they both look to add a doubles success to their US Open singles titles.
SunSport exclusively revealed earlier this week that the duo's relationship goes further than the court, but Raducanu insists there's no romance.
When asked about it in her pre-Wimbledon press conference, the British star said while giggling: 'We're just good friends'.
Raducanu is jumping at the idea of teaming up with the World No. 2, who is hot off the heels of winning the French Open earlier this month.
Recalling when Alcaraz asked her to join forces, Raducanu said: 'I mean, of course, I had to ask my team if they wanted me to play.
'But for me, when he asked me, I was going to say yes, I just had to kind of go through the formality of asking my coach, so I didn't just make the decision.'
On how they became friends, Raducanu added: 'I've known him for years.
'And actually in Wimbledon 2021 it was like kind of the first time I started getting to know him, and I had a good run there and then also again in the US Open in 2021.
'And I remember he was always playing the day before me and I was playing like the second day of the round.
'And I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too.'
Further lifting the lid on her connection with Alcaraz, Raducanu went on: '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 kind of value those connections that we had from when we were young because when you become a bit more known or a bit more successful, you just find yourself reverting back to people you knew from a young age because you're like, that's a real genuine connection.
'Because it becomes very busy and you have a lot more friends but the ones that you've known for a long time mean a lot more to you.'
Raducanu was spotted cheering Alcaraz on when he won Queens earlier this month.
And SunSport revealed the pair arrived at the club within minutes of each other on both occasions Emma went to watch Carlos play.
A source said: 'Emma and Carlos' friendship was the talk of Queens – people think there is something going on between them because they have such a spark.
'He was apparently seen at her hotel last week and on Thursday and Saturday, when Emma went to support him, Emma's car arrived just minutes after Carlos got to Queens with his team.
'Inside they were seen laughing and joking with one another.
Both Raducanu and Alcaraz will have their full focus on Wimbledon for now, with first-round action getting underway at the All England Club on Monday.
Raducanu will open her account with a clash against fellow Brit, Mingge Xu.
While Alcaraz will launch his defence of his 2024 title against Italian Fabio Fognini.
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