Tennis sensation Emma Raducanu has ignited relationship speculation after posting photographs on Instagram alongside longtime companion Benjamin Heynold.
The 22-year-old British player uploaded multiple images to her 2.9 million followers on Monday, attracting almost 150,000 likes within just hours.
Fans quickly noticed the former US Open champion appearing close with Heynold, 24, in dinner photographs included in the Instagram carousel post.
Comments beneath the images were dominated by followers discussing a potential romantic connection between the pair.
Emma Raducanu has ignited relationship speculation after posting photographs on Instagram alongside longtime companion Benjamin Heynold
|Heynold, who maintains a private social media presence, reportedly works at Raine Group bank in America.
The student and aspiring tennis player was spotted supporting Raducanu during her July victory over Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon.
Emma Raducanu could be seen enjoying dinner with Benjamin Heynold and friends
|He also appeared frequently in her team's area at Queen's Club in west London last month, fuelling relationship speculation.
The duo previously competed as teammates for Great Britain during their junior tennis careers.
Raducanu has already faced romantic speculation regarding Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz after they partnered in mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows last month.
Rumours have also surrounded Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz for the last year
| REUTERSShe dismissed suggestions of romance with Alcaraz before Wimbledon, maintaining they are simply friends.
Raducanu accompanied her photographs with Heynold with the message: "A productive summer. Progress over perfection."
The caption reflected on a season where she reached the third round at three major championships: the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
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The social media post immediately followed Raducanu's third-round departure from the US Open on Friday, where she lost in straight sets to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.
Her Flushing Meadows campaign began strongly with dominant victories against Ena Shibahara and Janice Tjen, winning 6-1, 6-2 and 6-2, 6-1 respectively.
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Emma Raducanu won just three games against Elena Rybakina during her US Open exit | REUTERSHowever, her tournament ended when Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon winner, defeated her in equally commanding fashion 6-1, 6-2.
The British player has been working to regain her form following injury setbacks that have prevented deeper runs at Grand Slam events since her remarkable 2021 US Open victory at the age of just 18.
When questioned about her sporting development, Raducanu claimed that elite players elevate their performance when facing her.
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Emma Raducanu does not think the top players treat her like a normal opponent | GETTY"I think when the very top players play against me, they have a point to prove that they're at the top, and they're there for a reason," she stated after her US Open elimination.
She identified serving improvements as crucial, noting: "Developing my serve is important - it has got better but I think it can be even better."
The 22-year-old also highlighted the need to enhance her readiness for quick returns following serves.
"I've just got to do my best in the next few months until Australia to just keep working to try and close the gap."