Nick Kyrgios has stirred the pot about a rumored “love triangle” at Wimbledon, while a tennis power couple has reportedly split up for the second time.
All eyes are on Emma Raducanu this week as the 22-year-old Brit looks to make a deep run at the All England Club, where she burst on the scene with a fourth-round appearance in 2021.
Raducanu went on to win the 2021 U.S. Open, becoming the first qualifier in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title.
She has battled to recapture that form since, but the early signs this year at Wimbledon are good.
The Brit cruised through to the third round with a comfortable win over 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.
She’ll take on Amanda Anisimova in the third round after the American secured a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Mexico’s Renata Zarazua.
It will be the second meeting between the talented pair at a grand slam this year — Raducanu won their second-round match at the Australian Open.
Kyrgios isn’t playing Wimbledon this year as he manages injury, but speaking to TalkSPORT, the 2022 finalist joked about a “love triangle” between Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz and British No. 1 Jack Draper.
“I don’t know, I think it’s a love triangle,” Kyrgios joked lightheartedly.
“Draper, Alcaraz, Raducanu. They’re fighting over Raducanu I think, I’m not sure.”
He went on to praise all three players, who look set to make a deep run at Wimbledon.
“I think (on) the outside (she looks happy), I don’t know who’s making her happy,” Kyrgios said.
“The tennis world loves a love story, they love to try and put two together but Raducanu is No. 1 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 expectations from the outside world. But, you know, as long as she’s happy.”
Raducanu was spotted cheering Alcaraz on when he won the grass court tournament at Queens last month.
The 22-year-old will team up with Alcaraz to play mixed doubles at the U.S. Open later this year, and she was quizzed about her relationship with the five-time Grand Slam winner ahead of Wimbledon.
“We’re just good friends,” Raducanu smiled in her pre-Wimbledon press conference.
The press conference moderator swiftly ended the line of questioning, with Raducanu joking: “Way to wrap up!”
Raducanu appears to relish playing in front of a home crowd, and she was all smiles after her second-round win.
Draper is the world No. 4 on the back of making the U.S. Open semifinals last year and winning the Indian Wells title in March.
The 23-year-old Brit will be out to make it well past the second round, which is his best result at the All England Club, and challenge for the title.
“I think Jack Draper is going to contend for grand slams and Wimbledon is probably his best chance to do that,” Kyrgios said.
“Having that home crowd is special. It’s like playing in their own background.”
The news isn’t as happy for Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa, with reports the tennis power couple have broken up again.
Badosa lost in the first round at Wimbledon to Katie Boulter, while Stefanos Tsitsipas retired hurt while trailing France’s Valentin Royer, 6-3, 6-2, in the first round.
Spanish publication HOLA Magazine reports the couple, who were due to play the US Open mixed doubles together, have split up.
Tsistipas and Badosa were in a relationship for a year from May 2023, before announcing they were parting ways.
They got back together weeks later and had shared plenty of insights into their relationship on social media, but it seems Tsitsipas and Badosa have split once more.
The 26-year-old Greek player said he may have to contemplate retiring from tennis as he struggles with an ongoing back injury.
“I don’t know what to do,” Tsitsipas said after the match.
“I feel like I’m left without answers. I don’t know. I’ve tried everything. I’ve done an incredible job with my fitness. I’ve done an incredible job with my physiotherapy, so I’ve maximised on everything that I possibly can do.
“Right now, I’m just absolutely left with no answers. I don’t know what to do.”