Carlos Alcaraz responds to Emma Raducanu Wimbledon claims after wild dating rumours

Carlos Alcaraz has refused to be drawn on Emma Raducanu attending the men’s Wimbledon final on Sunday after far-fetched rumours the pair were dating. The British star was an interested spectator on Centre Court as Alcaraz turned in a stunning display, dispatching Novak Djokovic in straight sets to retain his SW19 crown. The 21-year-old prevailed 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-4), and after converting match point, Raducanu was seen generously applauding as the Spaniard celebrated a fourth Grand Slam title.

And in his post-match press conference, Alacaraz dismissed suggestions that her appearance carried any extra significance. “I don’t know. I guess a lot of people came to see the final,” he replied, when pressed on why Raducanu would have wanted to attend. “Novak and I we always play a spectacular match, it’s a beautiful match to see. “And she is from here, so I imagine that she wanted to come and see it. If there was a Grand Slam in Murcia I would watch the finals 100 per cent. I don’t know if she came to the finals or if she came to see me. Who knows? You have to question her, but I hope she enjoyed the final.”

Raducanu herself reached the fourth round stage at SW19, before a surprise defeat to qualifier Lulu Sun. In her two wins leading into the clash with the Chinese player, Alcaraz had played beforehand on the same court. The 21-year-old cited that notion as beneficial, claiming she even tried to mimic some of the mesmeric play of the Spaniard. “The last couple matches I’ve been following Carlos,” she said. “And it’s just good to watch before my own match. And sometimes in certain moments you in a way try to emulate certain shots or whatever.”

Wild speculation has previously circled that the two tennis stars were actually an item. Former professional Mardy Fish tried to stir the pot after Alcaraz failed to name any top female players at the Australian Open, arguing he was clearly dating a fellow star and was reluctant to comment. And on social media, fans of the sport have also had fun with the rumours. @limuzinaxd joked on X that in his media conference Alcaraz had actually said: “I invited Emma Raducanu to watch my match, I think it’s the first time she watches me from the stands. It’s the least I could do for a special girl like her. I think she was my lucky charm today.”

While @ScenicF1_ joked: “As soon as they showed her on camera I KNEW he was going back to back.” And @Vuk135 added: “I was wondering how the hell he couldn’t miss a shot the whole match but that explained it.”