Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz has responded to rumours and jokes that he is in a secret relationship with British tennis star Emma Raducanu.
Alcaraz dominantly defeated Novak Djokovic in straight-sets on Sunday to land the Wimbledon title for the second year in a row as he registered the fourth Grand Slam trophy of his career.
Raducanu was spotted on Centre Court watching the men’s final – further fuelling gossip that she is dating Alcaraz – as fans cracked jokes all over social media.
It comes after Alcaraz issued a passionate defence of Raducanu following her controversial decision to pull out of the mixed doubles with Andy Murray.
Raducanu, meanwhile, revealed earlier in the tournament that she’s a big fan of Alcaraz and has been ‘following’ his matches to ’emulate’ some of his shots.
Both players are the same age – 21 – and Raducanu is believed to be single after splitting up with her ex-boyfriend Carlo Agostinelli this summer.
Alcaraz is also single and said this summer:‘I am looking for someone. It can be difficult as a tennis player to meet the right person because you are travelling all the time.’
The Spaniard was quizzed about Raducanu in his press conference on Sunday after beating Djokovic in the Wimbledon 2024 final.
A reporter asked: ‘[There were] jokes on social media that Carlos is playing like this [at a high level] because Emma Raducanu is watching from the stands. Did she come to see you in particular?’
Alcaraz could not hide a massive grin when quizzed about Raducanu – but then played down the comment from the journalist – insisting that he didn’t know why she was there, and that he would need to speak to her directly to find out.
‘I don’t know [if she came to see me in particular],’ Alcaraz said. ‘I don’t know. I think a lot of people have come to see the final.
‘I think Novak and I always put on a good game, a show on the court. I think it’s a very nice game to watch.
‘She’s from here, I imagine she would like to come and see it. Like, if there was a Grand Slam in Murcia, I would go see the final 100 per cent, even if I didn’t play.
‘I don’t know if she’s come to see the final, if she’s come to see me. Who knows? I’ll have to ask her, but I hope she enjoyed the final!’