Emma Raducanu Addresses Relationship Speculation With Carlos Alcaraz: 'I'm Glad...'

“Yeah, he asked me earlier in the year and I was very surprised and honoured, and obviously excited,” she said. “Of course I was going to say yes, I just had to kind of go through the formality of asking my coach.”

Raducanu admitted she made him wait for an answer.

“Gotta keep them on their toes!” she joked, explaining that while she wanted to say yes immediately, she still checked with her team before confirming.

The British player also shared how the partnership is rooted in a long friendship.

“I’ve known him for years,” she said, adding that they first got to know each other around Wimbledon 2021. That same year, both had breakout performances at the US Open.

“I remember he beat Stef [Tsitsipas] in the third round, and it was like a big win, his breakout kind of win on a big stage,” Raducanu recalled. “We were staying in touch the whole time.”

While Alcaraz has since become a top-ranked player and Grand Slam champion, Raducanu acknowledged their careers have moved in different directions. Still, she values their connection. “He’s obviously overtaken me a lot, but it’s nice that we have that from a while ago.”

She also spoke about how early friendships matter more as success grows. “You just find yourself reverting back to people you knew from a young age… that’s a real genuine connection.”

Raducanu and Alcaraz are expected to draw attention as one of the top mixed doubles teams at this year’s US Open.