Emma Raducanu picks Carlos Alcaraz for glory at US Open 2024; praises Spaniard's "really good tennis"
Emma Raducanu believes Carlos Alcaraz is the favorite to win the 2024 US Open and complete a hattrick of Grand Slams this year. The Brit praised her fellow 21-year-old’s form and his recent results.
Former US Open champions Alcaraz (2022) and Raducanu (2021) are gearing up for the 2024 edition. While the latter is still finding her form, Alcaraz is one of the top favorites to win the title given his recent success. The Spaniard emerged victorious at the two most recent Grand Slam events—the 2024 French Open and the Wimbledon Championships—taking his Major tally to four. He also won one other title this season—at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters.
Earlier this month, Carlos Alcaraz also clinched a silver at the Paris Olympics. He, however, enters the US Open with no wins under his belt during the North American swing, having lost in his opening match at the Cincinnati Open last week.
Taking note of the Spaniard’s overall success over the past year, though, Emma Raducanu told Tennis Channel:
"The way that last year has gone, I would have to say Carlos Alcaraz (will win the US Open). He’s playing really good tennis."
Emma Raducanu on taking inspiration from Carlos Alcaraz: "In certain moments you try to emulate certain shots"
This is not the first time that Emma Raducanu has endorsed Carlos Alcaraz’s exceptional tennis skills. During the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, the Brit was impressed when Carlos Alcaraz escaped defeat at the hands of Frances Tiafoe.
"The Carlos versus Frances Tiafoe match was such amazing tennis, just very fun to watch," Raducanu said during her Wimbledon press conference.
"The last couple matches I’ve been following Carlos, and it’s just good to watch before the match," she added.
The Brit, who was present in the stands to witness Alcaraz’s final triumph against Novak Djokovic, also said she tries to emulate the Spaniard during her matches.
"And sometimes in certain moments you in a way try to emulate certain shots or whatever," she said.
Earlier last month, Emma Raducanu re-entered the world’s top 100, thanks to her second-week appearance at SW19. She enters the US Open as the World No. 71 and will take on fellow former Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin in the first round in hopes of repeating her 2021 glory.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, will open his campaign against Australia’s Li Tu.