Emma Raducanu is once again capturing headlines at Wimbledon-not just for her commanding play, but also thanks to a lighthearted stir caused by Nick Kyrgios.
The 22-year-old has made an impressive return to form at the All England Club, cruising into the third round after dismantling defending champion Markéta Vondrouová 6-3, 6-3.
Her next opponent is American Amanda Anisimova, whom she defeated earlier this year at the Australian Open.
Raducanu, who made history by winning the 2021 U.S. Open as a qualifier, has struggled with consistency since that breakout triumph. But her recent performance on grass suggests she may be rediscovering the rhythm that once stunned the tennis world.
Kyrgios Teases “Love Triangle” as Rumors Swirl
While Raducanu‘s tennis is doing the talking on court, Nick Kyrgios has ensured the off-court chatter doesn’t slow down. Speaking to TalkSPORT, the injured Aussie-absent from Wimbledon this year-joked about a rumored “love triangle” involving Raducanu, fellow Brit Jack Draper, and five-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz.
“I think it’s a love triangle-Draper, Alcaraz, Raducanu. They’re fighting over Raducanu, I think,” Kyrgios said with a grin.
He went on to compliment Raducanu, noting the challenges of handling fame and expectations after winning a major at 19, while also suggesting she looks genuinely happy this season.
Fueling the speculation is Raducanu‘s visible support for Alcaraz, having been spotted cheering him on at Queens Club in June. The two are also scheduled to team up in mixed doubles at the U.S. Open later this year. However, when asked about their relationship during her Wimbledon press conference, Raducanu simply smiled.
“We’re just good friends,” before the moderator swiftly ended the questioning.
Meanwhile, Jack Draper entered Wimbledon with soaring expectations. The 23-year-old had broken into the ATP’s top 5 after a semifinal run at the U.S. Open and a title at Indian Wells. Many had tipped him as a serious contender to go deep at the All England Club.
But those hopes were dashed early. Draper fell in the second round to 83rd-ranked Marin ili, who rolled back the years with a confident 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 win. Draper‘s powerful third set comeback wasn’t enough to salvage what became one of the tournament’s earliest upsets.
Kyrgios had previously hyped Draper’s potential, calling Wimbledon his best shot at a Slam and emphasizing the energy boost that comes from playing at home. That home-court advantage, however, couldn’t save him this time.
As the tournament progresses, Raducanu remains the home crowd’s brightest hope. Her confident performance and calm demeanor have reignited belief among British fans. While the off-court whispers and Kyrgios‘s teasing keep the media entertained, it’s Raducanu‘s on-court resurgence that may be the real story of Wimbledon 2025.
Read the full article here
