“Obviously me” – Paula Badosa jokes about Emma Raducanu ‘dating’ her over Carlos Alcaraz as Brit shows off customized Nike bag with her Spanish name

Emma Raducanu recently stirred up playful speculation when she unveiled a customized Nike bag featuring the Spanish version of her name, “Emmita,” ahead of the 2024 US Open. This sparked a humorous response from fellow tennis player Paula Badosa, who joked about the British star “dating” her instead of Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz.

Raducanu had requested the name customization during a visit to a New York Nike store, and artist Ryan Humphrey shared the moment on Instagram. When a fan teased that Raducanu’s new bag might signal a connection with either Alcaraz or Badosa, the Spaniard cheekily replied, “Obviously me.” This lighthearted exchange reflects the close friendship between the two athletes, who often share endearing social media moments.

Raducanu and Badosa’s bond, highlighted by their nicknames “Paulita and Emmita,” has been well-documented, particularly after a shared practice session at Wimbledon earlier this year. Both players are now gearing up for the 2024 US Open, where they’ve been placed in opposite halves of the women’s draw, making a potential showdown only possible in the final.

Raducanu is set to face Sofia Kenin in her opening match, while Badosa will meet Viktorija Golubic. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz, who was also humorously referenced in the fan’s speculation, will compete in the men’s draw, with a potential semifinal clash against Jannik Sinner.