Emma Raducanu laughed off rumours of a blossoming romantic relationship with Carlos Alcaraz, insisting the tennis stars are ‘just friends’.
Raducanu and the world no2 are set to pair up for mixed doubles action at the US Open later this year.
Ahead of her Wimbledon campaign which begins against Mimi Xu in the first round next week, the Briton dismissed suggestions there is more to their relationship.
Raducanu and Alcaraz have been friends for a number of years and were spotted practising together on Friday to promote sponsor Evian – with the official Wimbledon account sharing a picture of the two side-by-side.
Asked if they had discussed tactics for the US Open, she said on Saturday: ‘No, it was fun yesterday. We were both on court with Evian.
‘We were just getting some volley practicing ahead of New York. Yeah, I’m really happy obviously to be playing with him. Yeah, we had a good time yesterday.’
Later in the press conference, an inevitable question on the romance rumours surfaced. A smiling Raducanu replied: ‘We’re just good friends’.
Raducanu has been handed a nightmare draw at Wimbledon should she safely navigate her way past Xu in her opening match on Monday.
Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova could await in the second round and the world No1 Aryna Sabalenka in the third.
Raducanu has also been managing a back problem since May having also been dealing with a personal issue that saw her break down in tears during her recent match at Eastbourne.
It has left the 22-year-old to begin her campaign at SW19 with expectations well and truly tempered.
‘Truthfully I don’t expect much from myself this year,’ Raducanu said.
‘I know I’ve just been dealing with certain things. I just want to go out there and embrace the moment, I want to embrace the occasion.
‘I know there’s not many opportunities to be playing at Wimbledon. You get it once a year and for a finite amount of time.
‘I’m just looking forward to going out there and feeling the surroundings and the atmosphere.’
