The Real Story Behind Emma and Carlos: What Actually Happened at Queen's

By Lewis Barnett 24 June, 2025 6 mins read 341 Views

Okay, so everyone's losing their minds over Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz, and honestly? I get it.

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When Tennis Becomes a Rom-Com

Last week the tennis world collectively lost its cool when these two announced they're teaming up for the US Open mixed doubles. But here's the thing that got me - Emma actually showed up at Queen's on Saturday to watch Carlos play. Like, physically drove across London to sit courtside and cheer him on.

That's not normal "just friends" behavior, people.

The 22-year-old Brit was practically glowing as she watched her new doubles partner do his thing at the swanky West London club. And according to my sources (yes, I have tennis sources now), the "spark" between these two was literally all anyone could talk about.

Emma Spills the Tea

Before her match against Ann Li in Eastbourne, Emma finally opened up about the whole Carlos situation. When reporters mentioned how he joked that she "took a while" to respond to his mixed doubles invitation, she laughed it off: "I mean, of course, I had to ask my team if they wanted me to play."

"But for me, when he asked me, I was going to say yes, I just had to kind of go through the formality of asking my coach, so I didn't just make the decision."

Translation: She wanted to say yes immediately but had to play it cool. We've all been there.

The Internet Ships Them (Obviously)

When someone brought up how fans keep saying they're "destined for each other," Emma just laughed and said: "I'm glad the internet is having fun and we're providing entertainment for everyone."

That's... not a denial, Emma.

How It All Started Back in 2021

Here's where it gets interesting. Emma revealed they've actually known each other for years, dating back to Wimbledon 2021 - you know, when she was still relatively unknown and he was just starting his meteoric rise.

"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, and I had a good run there and then also again in the US Open in 2021," she explained.

She remembered how Carlos would always play the day before her matches. "I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too."

God, that's actually sweet.

Emma specifically recalled when Carlos beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round - his big breakout moment. "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."

Why This Actually Makes Sense

Look, Emma's always been someone who sticks with people she knew before her US Open win changed everything. Her coaching choices prove this - she keeps going back to Mark Petchey, Nick Cavaday, and Jane O'Donoghue.

"We have a good relationship still. He's obviously overtaken me a lot, but it's nice that we have that from a while ago," she said about Carlos.

Then she got real about why these old connections matter: "I think for all of us, we really kind of value those connections that we had from when we were young because when you become a bit more known or a bit more successful, you just find yourself reverting back to people you knew from a young age because you're like, that's a real genuine connection."

Damn. That hit different.

The Queen's Club Gossip Mill

A source told me earlier this week: "Emma and Carlos' friendship was the talk of Queen's - people think there is something going on between them because they have such a spark."

Apparently Carlos was spotted at her hotel, and when Emma showed up to support him, her car arrived just minutes after his team got to Queen's. Inside, they were "seen laughing and joking with one another."

"They seem very happy and relaxed with each other," the source added.

Another insider mentioned that even the BBC crew and other broadcasters were gossiping about it. "The only love being talked about was about Emma and Carlos."

Listen, when even the media people are talking...

What's Next

Emma's got her hands full with Eastbourne this afternoon against Ann Li. If she wins, she'll face Australia's Maya Joint next, with a potential quarter-final rematch against Lulu Sun (who knocked her out of Wimbledon last year).

But let's be honest - we're all just waiting to see what happens when she and Carlos actually step on court together in New York.

This mixed doubles partnership is either going to be the most wholesome thing tennis has seen in years, or we're about to witness the sport's next power couple in the making.

Either way, I'm here for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the daily schedule of a professional tennis player?

Tennis players have an intense and structured daily routine. It can include several hours of training on the tennis court. This includes technical drills as well as tactical practice and match play scenarios. Players also participate in training sessions that are designed to improve strength, endurance, and agility. These sessions are complemented with flexibility and recovery exercises, such as massages, stretching, or physiotherapy. Proper nutrition and psychological coaching are also integral components, ensuring athletes maintain peak performance both physically and mentally.

How important are junior tennis tournaments in a career of professional tennis?

A junior tournament is a key step to a successful tennis career. These tournaments are a great way for young athletes to gain experience playing against others, test their skills, and develop the necessary mental strength to play competitively. These tournaments can also be a stepping-stone to higher level competitions, as well as impacting a player’s ranking, visibility with coaches and sponsors and overall development.

How can tennis players balance their training with schoolwork?

For aspiring tennis athletes, balancing intense training and academic commitments can be a challenge. This involves excellent time management and prioritization. It also requires creative scheduling. Online schooling programs and flexible academic schedules can help young athletes manage their training and travelling schedules. Support from coaches, family and educational institutions is crucial in ensuring athletes can pursue their sporting ambitions without compromising education.

How does mental and psycho-social training affect tennis training?

Tennis players must be mentally and psychologically fit. The player must be able to control stress, maintain concentration, and manage the emotional highs, and lows, of competition. Common techniques include visualization, goal setting, and mental rehearsals. Working with a sport psychologist can help players develop resilience, learn coping techniques for pressure situations and improve their mental performance to match their physical abilities on the court.

What type of support team is needed by a top-level tennis player?

To be able to compete on the highest levels, top tennis players require a team of support. The team includes, for example, a head tennis coach to oversee technical and training development, fitness trainers for physical preparation, a physiotherapist/medical professional to prevent and manage injuries, sports psychologists for mental coaching, and nutritionists to give advice on diet. A hitting partner can also be included, along with a manager, agent, or sometimes a'stringer'. These people ensure that the player can focus exclusively on his/her game.

Statistics

Approximately 70% of a professional tennis player's training time is devoted to developing technique and on-court strategies.
Engaging in structured video analysis sessions has been shown to improve a player's tactical decision-making by approximately 35%.
Strength and conditioning coaches emphasize core strength, noting that an increase in core stability can improve shot accuracy by up to 43%.
On average, it's estimated that only 1 in 5000 high-level junior tennis players will develop into internationally ranked professionals.
Top tennis players typically train for 4 to 6 hours per day, divided between on-court practice and fitness training.

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How To

How to Increase endurance during long tennis matches

In order to improve your endurance, it is important to combine both aerobic and aerobic exercise. Improve your aerobic capacity by adding longer, moderately intense cardio workouts to your routine. Add high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to your routine to increase anaerobic threshold. Simulate match conditions in the gym by engaging with practice matches and practicing long baseline rallies. Include core exercises, since a strong core is essential for endurance on the court. Ensure that you also focus on adequate recovery and nutrition to sustain high levels of performance.

Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/tennis/that-time-i-almost-became-james-bond-but-my-wife-had-other-plans