Emma Raducanu has hailed Carlos Alcaraz’s positivity on the Tour and hopes to take inspiration from the Spaniard when she can.
The British No.1 has been a fan of Alcaraz’s attitude to the sport for a few years and remembers their breakout performances at the 2021 US Open. At the event, Raducanu stunned the Tour by coming through qualifying before winning her first and only Grand Slam title at the age of 18. Since then, her progress in the sport has been hindered by various injury setbacks. Meanwhile, Alcaraz made it through to the quarter-finals in New York on his main draw debut before clinching the title 12 months later in what was the first of five major titles won by him so far in his career.
“He’s so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around. Good tennis player as well, great tennis player,” Raducanu told reporters in Eastbourne.
“I remember he beat Stef [Tsitsipas] in the third round [at the US Open in 2021] and it was like a big win, his breakout kind of win on a big stage and it was really cool to go through that tournament together. I kept going through the US Open, but we were staying in touch for the whole time and it’s nice. We have a good relationship still. He’s obviously overtaken me a lot, but it’s nice that we have that from a while ago.”
The two will join forces later this year at the revamped star-studded mixed doubles tournament at the US Open, which will award the champions $1M in prize money. Other entrants include Jannik Sinner, Jack Draper, Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Alexander Zverev.
“When I see him play, he’s always got a smile on his face and enjoying it,” Raducanu said of Alcaraz.
“That’s why he’s able to do such crazy shots, turn points around that he’s maybe not favoured to and pull out these ridiculous shots. It’s coming from a place of curiosity.
“It’s amazing to have that on the men’s side and take inspiration when I can.”
The current focus for both players is Wimbledon, which will get underway on Monday. Raducanu is currently playing in Eastbourne where she is seeded seventh in the draw and faces America’s Ann Li in her opening match on Tuesday. Earlier this month at Queen’s, she reached the quarter-finals before losing to top seed Qinwen Zheng in what was her first grass tournament of 2025.
Whilst there are encouraging signs, the 22-year-old admits she is still managing a back problem. An issue she describes as a ‘vulnerability’ she needs to take care of.
“I have good days and bad days with it,” Raducanu said, adding: “I’m just trying to manage it as best as I can.”
The Wimbledon draw will be made on Friday at 10am.
