Tennis star Emma Raducanu sparked romance rumours on social media after sharing a series of photos to her Instagram account.
Raducanu was knocked out of the third round of the US Open on Friday after being defeated in straight sets by Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina.
Following another exit at the scene of her famous 2021 triumph attentions immediately turned to Raducanu’s life away from the court.
On Monday the 22-year-old shared a series of photos to her 2.9million followers on social media with the caption: ‘A productive summer. Progress over perfection.’
The carousel garnered nearly 150,000 likes within hours of being posted but many fans in the comments couldn’t help but speculate about a potential relationship after seeing her cozying up to a long-time friend.
In the pictures Raducanu can be seen having dinner alongside her friend and fellow tennis prodigy Benjamin Heynold.
The sporting star and student, 24, was seen cheering Raducanu on at Wimbledon as she defeated Marketa Vondrousova at the All-England Lawn Tennis Club in July.
There was talk of possible romance after Benjamin was seen regularly in her team’s corner at Queen’s in west London last month.
Heynold keeps a low profile on social media but is understood to work at the Raine Group bank in the US.
The 24-year-old is also a keen tennis player and the pair represented Team GB together in their youth.
Raducanu has also been linked to former World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz after the pair competed together in the mixed doubles at Flushing Meadows last month.
Alcaraz debuted a new look in New York, sporting a shaved head reminiscent of a young David Beckham.
Asked about her friend’s haircut Raducanu admitted she approved of the Spaniard’s new style.
‘I think he owns it, I think he pulls it off,’ she said.
‘I think he’s just taken it and if you own a haircut like that it can work and I think mixed field but whatever he does it’s not going to affect what he does on the court.
‘I’m just happy to see him having fun with whatever.’
Raducanu laughed off suggestions of a romance with Alcaraz in the lead-up to Wimbledon, insisting the pair are just good friends.
Adding to the rumour mill, Australian maverick Nick Kyrgios suggested mischievously that the two-time defending men’s champion could be in competition with fellow British star Jack Draper for Ms Raducanu’s attention.
‘I don’t know, I think it’s a love triangle,’ Kyrgios joked on talkSport. ‘Draper, Alcaraz, Raducanu. They’re fighting over Raducanu I think.’
‘The tennis world loves a love story, they love to try and put two together.’
He added: ‘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 No 1 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.’
