A tennis icon has spoken about the way the media has been treating Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz ahead of the US Open Mixed Doubles tournament.
Raducanu and Alcaraz lost at the US Open, crashing out of the first round of the new tournament against Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula.
Much has been made of Alcaraz and Raducanu’s new partnership, with fans incredibly excited to see the two icons play together.
With intense scrutiny on Raducanu and Alcaraz, one tennis icon has called out their intense treatment from fans and the press.
Chris Evert unhappy with Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu’s treatment at the US Open
Chris Evert knows a thing or two about personal relationships inside tennis, with her romance with Jimmy Connors dominating the 1970s.
The star has called out Raducanu and Alcaraz’s treatment, particularly because they are not in a relationship.
“I’m so glad I came up in the ’70s, not in this day and age,” said Evert in an interview with ESPN. “Because, I mean, jeez, you’re controversial and talked about no matter what you do.”
Alcaraz and Raducanu have consistently swatted away questions about being in a relationship, often declaring themselves as friends.
The pair met in 2021 when both were breaking through into the game, with Raducanu winning the US Open that year and Alcaraz doing the same the following year.
Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz turn their attention toward US Open singles
The popular pair will have several days to prepare for their US Open singles campaign after their doubles exit.
Alcaraz began his hard-court preparations in the perfect way by picking up the Cincinnati Open title, but Raducanu has suffered a blow heading into Flushing Meadows.
The British No. 1 missed out on seeded entry to the tournament by just one place, as she’s ranked World No. 33.
That means she could play a seeded player in the opening round, unless one of the top 32 withdraw from the competition.