Alcaraz has kept Raducanu smiling through the years

HOW SPANISH PAL HAS HELPED INSPIRE HER ON AND OFF THE COURT

- By Neil McLeman

EMMA RADUCANU will be teaming up with pal Carlos Alcaraz in the new mixed doubles at the US Open.

But the British No.1 reckons she already has the same approach to separating her tennis and normal life as her fellow New York champion. “Minus the Ibiza part!” she said, laughing.

After winning the title at Queen’s Club on Sunday, Alcaraz spoke about how his breaks in Cancun in March and then in Ibiza following his French Open triumph have given him back “the joy” to win 27 of his past 28 matches.

Raducanu, from Bromley, escaped the pressure of the sport on Saturday by going to Queen’s with her mates to watch Alcaraz win his semi-final before dining at the River Cafe.

Only a week before the start of Wimbledon, she hopes her fun day off will have the same positive effect.