Emma Raducanu was spotted beaming in the stands at Centre Court on Sunday as she watched Carlos Alcaraz advance to the Wimbledon quarter-finals, further fuelling speculation about a potential romance between the two tennis stars.
The 22-year-old British player, whose own tournament ended on Friday with a defeat to world No1 Aryna Sabalenka, appeared smiling from ear to ear as the defending champion battled past Andrey Rublev.
Despite both players maintaining they are "just good friends", Raducanu's presence at the match has added to mounting speculation about a relationship between the two.
The pair have been increasingly linked in recent weeks, with Raducanu previously spotted supporting Alcaraz at the Queen's Club Championships last month.
Emma Raducanu was spotted watching 'friend' Carlos Alcaraz during his comeback win over Andrey Rublev on Sunday evening
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Sources at Queen's reported the two were seen laughing and joking together, arriving at the venue just minutes apart, prompting talk that there might be "something going on between them".
Their upcoming mixed doubles partnership at the US Open in August has also intensified interest in the nature of their relationship.
The two US Open champions have known each other since 2021, when Raducanu shot to prominence by winning at Flushing Meadows aged 18, with Alcaraz claiming the title a year later.
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Emma Raducanu was recently snapped watching Carlos Alcaraz during his triumphant Queen's campaign
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"I've known him for years and actually in Wimbledon 2021 it was like kind of the first time I started getting to know him," Raducanu explained about their friendship.
She recalled how Alcaraz would play the day before her during that tournament: "I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too.
"It was really cool to kind of, I guess, go through that tournament together. And then I kept going through the US Open, but we were staying in touch for the whole time and yeah, it's nice."
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Raducanu described the Spanish player as "so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around."
When asked about their mixed doubles partnership, Alcaraz revealed to the Daily Mail that Raducanu initially made him wait before agreeing to team up.
"Gotta keep them on their toes!" Raducanu joked, explaining she had to consult her team first, though she knew she would accept his invitation.
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Carlos Alcaraz beat Andrey Rublev 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
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On Centre Court, Alcaraz recovered from dropping the first set to defeat Rublev 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 43 minutes.
The defending champion faced an aggressive start from the Russian, who broke early to take a 3-1 lead in the opening set.
Rublev maintained his intensity to claim the first set in a tie-break after 51 minutes.
"The break that I did in the second set turned around everything," Alcaraz said afterwards. "I started to feel more comfortable, more calm and thinking more clearly."
The Spaniard praised his opponent's power, calling him "one of the most powerful if not the most powerful players we have on tour."
"You feel he is pushing you to the limit in every ball, running from side to side, so that makes it very difficult to face him," Alcaraz explained.
The victory sets up a quarter-final clash with Britain's Cameron Norrie on Tuesday, as Alcaraz continues his title defence.
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