Carlos Alcaraz’s bid for a third consecutive Wimbledon title came to a grinding halt on Sunday, as Italian rival Jannik Sinner emerged victorious in a thrilling four-set final. Sinner captured his maiden Wimbledon crown with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over the Spanish sensation, marking a defining moment in his career and a humbling end to Alcaraz’s reign at SW19.
Carlos Alcaraz on Emma Raducanu romance rumors
The mood is a stark contrast to last summer, when Alcaraz celebrated his 2024 triumph in style. He was seen dancing at the traditional Wimbledon Champions’ Dinner with women's champion Barbora Krejcikova. Yet, the headlines weren’t about his footwork on the dance floor but about Emma Raducanu's high-profile presence in the Centre Court stands as Alcaraz dethroned Novak Djokovic.
At the time, speculation over a potential romance between Alcaraz and Raducanu ran rampant. But the Spaniard quickly played down the chatter. When asked about Raducanu attending the final, he laughed it off:
I don't know, I don't know. I think a lot of people came to see the final. I think Novak and I always put on a good game, a show on the court. And she is from here, so I imagine that she wanted to come and see it.
With a grin, he added,
I don't know if she came to the finals or if she came to see me. Who knows? You have to ask her, but I hope she enjoyed the final.
Despite repeated assertions that the two are “just good friends,” intrigue around their dynamic has reignited ahead of the US Open. The tournament's ‘Fan Week’ will feature a two-day mixed doubles showcase and all eyes are on the star-studded pairing of Alcaraz and Raducanu, both former US Open champions.
Speaking about their partnership, Alcaraz playfully said,
She will be the boss. I will do whatever she wants me to do,
While Raducanu joked about testing his court coverage in New York.
Alcaraz also revealed he made a “special request” to team up with Raducanu.
I was thinking that I couldn't play better if it wasn't with Emma, he said.
Although Raducanu didn’t immediately accept, she explained,
For me, when he asked me, I was going to say yes—I just had to ask my team first.
Asked again during her Wimbledon press duties, Raducanu dismissed romance rumors once more, saying, “We're just good friends,” following their recent filming session together.