Emma Raducanu has lauded the achievements of her fellow teenager, Carlos Alcaraz, as he made a remarkable start to 2022. The 18-year-old Spaniard has won three titles and broken into the world’s top 10. Raducanu, who won the US Open, and her final opponent, Leylah Fernandez, were also hailed for their teenage success in Flushing Meadows the previous year.
During the Madrid Open, Raducanu shared her admiration for Alcaraz, who was fresh off winning his fourth career title in Barcelona and ranking ninth in the ATP world. She praised not only his on-court skills but also his off-court demeanor, describing him as “genuine and kind.” Raducanu also marveled at how he could practically “take the racquet out of his opponent’s hand,” making his matches very exciting.
During her own journey to the US Open title, Raducanu, Alcaraz, and Fernandez were celebrated as a trio of lower-ranked teenagers achieving remarkable results in New York. Raducanu drew motivation from her fellow teens, expressing her desire to join their ranks.
Currently ranked just one spot outside the WTA top 10 at No. 11, Raducanu is determined to follow in Alcaraz’s footsteps. She is participating in her first professional clay season and has already found success on this surface, reaching the quarter-finals at Stuttgart.
In Madrid, Raducanu continued her impressive form by defeating Tereza Martincova and Marta Kostyuk. She will be headlining the night session alongside Alcaraz, with the 18-year-old Spaniard making his first appearance of the tournament against Nikoloz Basilashvili. Alcaraz, who made his Masters 1000 debut in Madrid the previous year and faced his idol Rafael Nadal on his 18th birthday, is now returning as the seventh seed and a strong contender for the title, having already won a Masters 1000 title in Miami.
The future looks promising for both Raducanu and Alcaraz, as they continue to impress the tennis world with their skills and sportsmanship.