British tennis star Emma Raducanu has spoken out after a photograph published by a tabloid ignited speculation that she was seeing someone new.
Raducanu, now 23, became a global sensation in 2021 when she stormed through US Open qualifying and won the title without dropping a set — a historic moment that placed her firmly in the spotlight.
However, injuries and inconsistent form have made it difficult for her to replicate those results in the seasons that followed.
Despite her setbacks, 2025 marked a positive turnaround as she climbed back to No. 29 in the world rankings.
Recently, Raducanu addressed a picture circulating online that suggested she was with a new boyfriend.
Speaking to The Times, she explained that the situation made her uncomfortable.
“What creeped me out was seeing a photo of myself taken in London last week,” she said. “I didn’t even notice the paparazzi. I was with my two best friends. A tabloid claimed I had a new boyfriend, but it was literally my best friend’s brother.”
She added that the outlet cropped her friend out of the picture, leaving only her and the man in the frame. “I didn’t see the paps at all, so it felt creepy.”
Raducanu admitted the incident was unsettling but said she tries to stay positive: “You’re just like, ‘How did they even get that?’ But apart from things like that, I feel good because someone’s always looking out for me.”
After cutting her 2025 season short during the Asian swing, she has shifted her focus toward preparing for 2026. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said her coach Francis Roig is pushing her to build a stronger, more complete version of herself.
She described herself as a tactical player who relies on intelligence rather than overwhelming power. “I don’t have one huge weapon, so I have to use my brain and my skill more,” she said.
Raducanu is expected to begin her 2026 season at the United Cup in Australia, where she will team up with fellow Brit Jack Draper.
American Star Criticised for ‘Ridiculous’ Remarks About Emma Raducanu
A former U.S. tennis player has come under fire for comments fans described as “ridiculous” after Emma Raducanu’s opening-round loss to Zhu Lin at the Ningbo Open.
Raducanu struggled physically throughout the match and needed her blood pressure and vital signs checked during the encounter. After winning the first set, she faded and eventually lost 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. She is still scheduled to compete in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but her recurring back issues have raised doubts about whether she will finish the season.
The Briton, who shocked the tennis world in 2021 by becoming the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era, remains one of the sport’s biggest talking points.
However, former world No. 8 John Isner sparked backlash after claiming that Valentin Vacherot’s improbable run to the Shanghai Masters title was more impressive than Raducanu’s US Open triumph.
Vacherot, ranked 204, beat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final and became the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 champion since the series began in 1990. He also defeated Novak Djokovic en route to the trophy.
Isner said: “I think it’s more impressive. Raducanu’s was a bigger story because it was the US Open, but this is more improbable. I’m giving it to Vacherot — it’s unheard of.”
Many fans disagreed.
One wrote: “Ridiculous claim. The best players weren’t even there.”
Another pointed out that a qualifier winning a Grand Slam was historically unprecedented: “Emma was 18, playing her second slam, and hadn’t even won a WTA match. She won 10 matches — Vacherot won 9.”
Others supported Isner, arguing that Vacherot’s road to the title — especially the win over Djokovic — made his achievement more remarkable.
