Emma Raducanu’s presence in the crowd at the Wimbledon men’s singles final was a cue for the British media to start baseless rumours that her friendship with Carlos Alcaraz could become a romance.

The tennis media are always joined by a healthy collection of showbiz and entertainment reporters at Wimbledon and they go looking for stories that would not be touched by sports writers.

These reporters tend to ask questions in press conferences about the players’ lives away from the court, as they look for stories that will appeal to an audience outside of tennis.

That may explain why numerous stories have appeared in the UK media consistently in recent days linking Alcaraz and Raducanu with more than just a friendship.

Raducanu was at Wimbledon on the final Sunday of The Championships as part of the welcoming reception party for Katherine, Princess of Wales.

This was not the first time the duo had met as they played tennis together at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre after Raducanu lifted the 2021 US Open title.

After meeting the Princess, Raducanu then took her seat in the Centre Court stands to watch Alcaraz beat Djokovic to retain his Wimbledon title.

Alcaraz was asked about Raducanu’s presence at his match in his post-match press conference, he smiled as he offered up this answer.

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“I don’t know. I guess a lot of people came to see the final,” he said. “Novak and I we always play a spectacular match, it’s a beautiful match to see.

“She is from here, so I imagine that she wanted to come and see it. If there was a Grand Slam in Murcia I would watch the finals 100 per cent.

“I don’t know if she came to the finals or if she came to see me. Who knows? You have to question her, but I hope she enjoyed the final.”

Alcaraz confirmed he is currently single in a recent interview with the Times ahead of this year’s Wimbledon, as he admitting finding time for a private life of a challenge: “I am single. I am looking for someone.”

Alcaraz and Raducanu have exchanged messages on social media in the past, but there are no suggestions the duo are anything other than tennis players who are big admirers of each other’s game.

It may be wishful thinking for the UK media to suggest there is more to Alcaraz and Raducanu’s friendship, as they would relish the chance to right about a romance that would be big news.

Yet Raducanu has insisted her focus is on improving her career rather than looking for extra interests in his life.

“My parents were very much against (boyfriends) as it interfered with training,” Raducanu said in an interview ahead of Wimbledon.

“When I was younger I wasn’t even allowed to hang out with my girl friends.

“A lot of the time I was very resentful. But it made me very confident and comfortable in my own company, which is also a big strength.”

Raducanu is currently preparing for her return to action after her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon, with her next event coming in Washington as she takes her place in a high-class field on hard courts.

“I’m going to do things on my own time,” said Raducanu, who came under-fire after he decision to reject the chance to play at the Olympics.

“I’m in no rush to do anything and everything I am doing and playing for now is for myself.

“Whether that’s tournament scheduling, whether that’s how much time I take off to train compared to compete, I think I’m just way more focused on my own lane and less susceptible to outside opinions or views.

“I’m just enjoying it, just doing everything for myself and really just being independent.”