Rival for Emma Raducanu’s Heart? Carlos Alcaraz Rumors and Jack Draper Support

Her face lights up with a radiant smile, telling the world that all is well with Emma Raducanu as she continues her Wimbledon campaign.

And it is not just her friends – and fans across the nation – who will be willing her on as she steps out on Centre Court.

Spotted in the background of the selfie was a familiar face – dashing former tennis prodigy Benjamin Heynold.

His beaming appearance has added to supporters’ good-humoured speculation about which lucky man may have won over the 22-year-old’s heart.

Rumours have also swirled around her friendship with defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz – with the pair due to play mixed doubles together at the US Open next month.

After securing a second-round showdown with 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova yesterday, Ms Raducanu was happy to pose for pictures – with Mr Heynold in the background. 

There was talk of possible romance after Mr Heynold, 24, was seen regularly in her team’s corner at Queen’s in west London last month. 

The student, who is at the University of North Carolina in the US, was pictured cheering her on alongside her coach Nick Cavaday and agent Thomas Houchin as she reached the quarter-finals.

After securing a second-round showdown with 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova yesterday, Ms Raducanu was happy to pose for pictures. Pictured: Emma Raducanu and her friends

Pictured: Former tennis prodigy Benjamin Heynold cheering on Ms Raducanu alongside her coach Nick Cavaday and agent Thomas Houchin as she reached the quarter-finals

Rumours have also swirled around Ms Raducanu’s friendship with defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz (pictured) – with the pair due to play mixed doubles together at the US Open next month

The pair have been friends since they first met at six, and they have represented Team GB together.

She also appears to be close to Alcaraz. Their doubles pairing has sparked speculation that their partnership may be growing closer off the court.

Yesterday, the Spaniard, 22, said she will be his ‘boss’ when the stars team up at the Open in New York. 

Asked about how he thought they would gel, Alcaraz said: ‘I’m just going to serve. I’m going to pull myself away and let her play. She will cover all the court. She will be the boss… I will do whatever she wants me to do. That’s it.’

Ms Raducanu has laughed off suggestions of a romance with Alcaraz in the lead-up to Wimbledon, insisting they were just good friends.

Adding to the rumour mill, Australian maverick Nick Kyrgios suggested mischievously that the two-time defending men’s champion could be in competition with fellow British star Jack Draper for Ms Raducanu’s attention.

 ‘I don’t know, I think it’s a love triangle,’ Kyrgios said on talkSport. ‘Draper, Alcaraz, Raducanu. They’re fighting over Raducanu I think.’

‘The tennis world loves a love story, they love to try and put two together.’

A host of celebrities braved the heat to watch the second day’s action. Pictured: Britney Theriot and Russell Crowe

Pictured: Actresses Rebel Wilson and Cate Blanchett in the Royal Box prior to Ladies’ Singles first round match

He added: ‘Obviously, winning a Grand Slam at 19 is never easy, it comes with a lot of expectation on the outside world. But, you know, as long as she’s happy, there’s so much pressure that comes with being the No 1 player and playing at Wimbledon, so hopefully she can find her feet. Imagine her and Jack Draper winning the women’s and men’s title. That would be something.’ 

A host of celebrities braved the heat to watch the second day’s action. Happy Valley actress Sarah Lancashire was joined in the Royal Box by Australian film stars including Cate Blanchett, Rebel Wilson and Russell Crowe, who was with his partner Britney Theriot.

British No 1 Draper, who stands at 6ft 4in, towered over his 5ft 7in opponent Sebastian Baez yesterday, and won his opening match after the Argentinian was forced to retire after slipping on the grass. He tried to battle it out before giving in at 6-2, 6-2, 2-1 to the home favourite.

Dan Evans defeated fellow Briton Jay Clarke to win his opening match. Draper and Evans will join seven Britons who won their first matches on Monday – the most home wins on any day of the Championships in the open era.