Emma Raducanu may have exited Wimbledon prematurely, but she stuck around Centre Court – not for herself, but to back her close friend and mixed doubles partner, Carlos Alcaraz.
The 22‑year‑old British star bowed out in the third round after a no‑nonsense defeat to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (7‑6, 6‑4) on July 4, 2025 ([en.wikipedia.org][1]). It marked the end of a gritty campaign that started with strong wins against fellow Britons Mingge Xu and former champion Markéta Vondroušová. Despite the loss, Raducanu opted not to immediately retreat from Wimbledon’s atmosphere. Instead, she remained on-site to offer her vocal support at her friend’s match.
When Alcaraz stepped onto Centre Court to face Andrey Rublev in the round of 16 on July 6, it wasn’t long before cameras spotted Raducanu in the stands – perched alongside her coach, Mark Petchey, clapping enthusiastically as Alcaraz staged an impressive comeback. He dropped a tight first-set tiebreak before rallying to a 6‑7(5), 6‑3, 6‑4, 6‑4 victory ([sportskeeda.com][2], [si.com][3]).
This was not Raducanu’s first appearance cheering on Alcaraz this summer. She was previously present at the Queen’s Club Championships and has made several off‑court appearances alongside him. Both are ambassadors for Evian, appearing together in a promotional shoot at Wimbledon in late June ([profootballnetwork.com][4]). The visibility of their friendship has sparked widespread attention—and occasional dating rumors—a topic both have deflected with grace and humor.
Raducanu, deflecting speculation, said flatly, “We’re just good friends,” noting their bond dates back to Wimbledon 2021 and the US Open later that year ([sportskeeda.com][2]). Alcaraz echoed the sentiment, acknowledging that Raducanu reached out to him when organizers introduced a mixed doubles event at the 2025 US Open. “He messaged me and asked me to play. I mean, I was very surprised and excited,” she admitted ([profootballnetwork.com][4]).
Their friendship, clearly rooted in mutual respect and shared ambition, is now set to be validated on court. The pair will compete in a newly reformatted mixed doubles showdown during Fan Week—August 19–20—at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center ([profootballnetwork.com][4]). The event, featuring a \$1 million prize pool and high-profile pairings, has already stirred excitement.
Raducanu’s choice to support Alcaraz publicly speaks volumes about her character. Rather than retreat following a challenging Slam exit, she demonstrated loyalty, resilience, and genuine sportsmanship. She engaged with Wimbledon’s community off-court as well, attending events and spotlighting her multicultural upbringing—British, Romanian, Chinese—which shaped her approach to the game ([thesun.co.uk][5], [facebook.com][6]).
For Alcaraz, who is chasing a third straight Wimbledon quarter‑final appearance after reigning victorious in 2024 ([reuters.com][7]), Raducanu’s presence offered more than moral support—it was a reminder of the camaraderie that exists beyond the scoreboard. As he prepares to face Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the quarters on July 8, Wimbledon audiences will see two of tennis’s brightest young talents united—not only by competition, but by friendship.
In an era when tennis is as much about narrative as it is serve and volley, Raducanu’s actions echo loudly: true sportsmanship means standing by your peers, celebrating shared journeys, and forging partnerships that transcend gender and headlines. Emma Raducanu may be out of singles, but her heart remains firmly on Centre Court—with Carlos Alcaraz, who just might benefit from her belief.