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Nick Kyrgios has humorously suggested that Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper are ‘competing for’ Emma Raducanu’s attention, even though the British No. 1 dismissed relationship rumors during Wimbledon.
The controversial Australian star is missing Wimbledon for a third straight year due to injury and was also dropped as a pundit by the BBC last year.
The decision by the broadcaster to feature the Australian on the panel, a year after he admitted to assaulting his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari but avoided a criminal record, sparked strong criticism from the public and MPs.
The duo reviewed the first day of the Championships on Tuesday morning, which included reminiscing about Raducanu achieving a straightforward victory over fellow Briton Mimi Xu.
Smart highlighted the attention on Raducanu in Britain and her struggles since her shock US Open triumph back in 2021, before referencing a potential ‘love interest’ to Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios has mischievously claimed two men’s stars are ‘fighting over’ Emma Raducanu
The Australian jokingly referenced a ‘love triangle’ involving Raducanu, Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz
Draper and Raducanu lead home hopes at Wimbledon as Britain’s men’s and women’s No1s
Kyrgios, laughing in response, then mischievously suggested two-time defending men’s champion Alcaraz and British star Draper were ‘fighting over’ Raducanu.
‘I don’t know, I think it’s a love triangle,’ Kyrgios said. ‘Draper, Alcaraz, Raducanu. They’re fighting over Raducanu I think, I’m not sure.’
Smart responded by asking whether rumours of a romance would distract Raducanu at the tournament, while noting the star ‘looks happy’.
‘I think the outside, I don’t know who’s making her happy,’ Kyrgios replied. ‘The tennis world loves a love story, they love to try and put two together but Raducanu is number one British female player at the moment, she’s doing fairly well.
‘Obviously winning a grand slam at 19 is never easy, it comes with a lot of expectation on the outside world.
‘But you know as long as she’s happy, there’s so much pressure that comes with being the number one player and playing at Wimbledon so hopefully she can find her feet.
‘Imagine her and Jack Draper winning the women’s and men’s title, that would be something.’
Despite Kyrgios – who watched his upcoming US Open mixed doubles partner Naomi Osaka in action on Monday – making the light hearted comments, Raducanu had shot down suggestions of a romance with Alcaraz in the build-up to Wimbledon.
Rumours of a romance between Raducanu and Alcaraz had emerged before the tournament
The pair featured as ambassadors in an event with water company Evian and are teaming up in the mixed doubles at the US Open later this year
The rumours had intensified following confirmation of their high-profile mixed doubles partnership at the US Open, while Raducanu previously gushed about the ‘genuine connection’ they have, while also praising Alcaraz’s morals.
When asked about the rumours at a pre-tournament press conference, Raducanu smiled and said: ‘We’re just good friends.’
The interview moderator then cut off further questions, prompting Raducanu to laugh and remark: ‘Way to wrap up!’
The two US Open champions – Raducanu won in 2021, Alcaraz a year later – are close, growing up together on the tour.
‘He’s so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around,’ said Raducanu about Alcaraz when asked how their bond began.
‘I’ve known him for years. Wimbledon 2021 was the first time I started getting to know him. He was always playing the day before me, 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 go through that tournament together and then I kept going through the US Open, we were staying in touch for the whole time and, yeah, it’s nice.
‘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.’
Raducanu (left) won her Wimbledon first-round singles match, as did Alcaraz (right)
Raducanu was also seen at Queen’s earlier this month supporting Alcaraz from the stands
Raducanu, 22, and Alcaraz, 22, have been close since their teenage years on tour
Alcaraz, also 22, told Mail Sport at Queen’s that Raducanu made him wait before agreeing to team up.
‘Gotta keep them on their toes!’ Raducanu joked.
‘I had to ask my team if they thought I should play, but when he asked me, I was going to say yes, I just had to go through the formality of asking my coach.’
Raducanu had turned up to watch Alcaraz at Queen’s, a tournament he went on to win prior to Wimbledon.
Having come into the tournament with concerns over a back injury, Raducanu will have been relieved to have come through her opening match in straight sets.
The British No 1, however, now faces a major test when she faces 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the second round.
Vondrousova is unseeded at the tournament after multiple injury problems, but underlined her status as a contender for the title by winning the Berlin Open last month, securing a first title since her triumph at SW19.
