Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz take their connection off-court as reigning Wimbledon champion joins British No 1 in new venture one week on from announcing doubles partnership

Carlos Alcaraz connection to Emma Raducanu has grown off the court after the Spaniard joined the British No 1 in becoming a global ambassador for Evian.

Alcaraz and Raducanu had last week been confirmed as a blockbuster mixed doubles partnership at the US Open later this year, with the duo included among the entry list.

The Grand Slam champions have since spoken appreciatively of each other following the announcement with Raducanu revealing their friendship began back at Wimbledon in 2021.

The pairing will now team up again with Alcaraz being confirmed as the latest global ambassador of Evian, which has been Wimbledon's official water supplier since 2008.

Raducanu's collaborative work with Evian came after she became the hottest property in British sport by winning the US Open in 2021, which led to her signing lucrative deals with the likes of Nike and Christian Dior.

When confirming Alcaraz as their latest ambassador, Evian highlighted the five-time Grand Slam champion's boundless energy and positivity.

The company stated that Alcaraz inspires people to live young and embrace a healthier lifestyle, with the Spaniard posing alongside pink tennis balls which they claim reflected the brand's ‘Live Young’ philosophy.

'"Live Young" ethos, is something I connect with both on and off the court,' Alcaraz said.

'It’s about embracing life with energy, and a positive mindset - values I respect and try to live by. 

'Hydration is an important part of my daily routine and I’m excited to work with a brand that celebrates the joy of feeling youthful and full of life. 

'I hope we can inspire others to prioritise their well-being.'

Evian added that by securing Alcaraz as an ambassador it has continued its legacy of supporting the next generation of talent.

Alcaraz, who won a second straight French Open title earlier this month, joins Raducanu, US star Frances Tiafoe and the ever-improving Arthur Fils as the company's ambassadors.

Raducanu earlier this week spoke of her connection to Alcaraz after teaming up with him for the US Open's revamped, $1million mixed doubles event in August.

The two US Open champions - Raducanu won in 2021, Alcaraz a year later - are good friends, growing up together on the tour. 

'He's so nice, very happy, amazing values and just a really positive light to be around,' said Raducanu.

'I've known him for years. Wimbledon 2021 was the first time I started getting to know him. He was always playing the day before me, I would see him win and then I would have motivation to win and get myself into that position too.

'It was really cool to go through that tournament together and then I kept going through the US Open, we were staying in touch for the whole time and, yeah, it's nice.

'We have a good relationship still. He's obviously overtaken me a lot, but it's nice that we have that from a while ago.'

Alcaraz, also 22, told Mail Sport at Queen's that Raducanu made him wait before agreeing to team up.

'Gotta keep them on their toes!' Raducanu joked. 'I had to ask my team if they thought I should play, but when he asked me, I was going to say yes, I just had to go through the formality of asking my coach.'

Raducanu has always valued relationships with those who knew her before her 2021 US Open triumph, and her friendship with the world No2 is an example of such.

'I think, for all of us, we really value those connections we had from when we were young.

'When you become a bit more known or more successful, you find yourself reverting back people you knew from a young age because you're like, that's a real genuine connection.

'It becomes very busy and you have a lot more friends but the ones you've known for a long time mean a lot more to you.'

Raducanu, who was seen watching Alcaraz's semi-final at Queen's last week, suffered a blow in her Wimbledon preparations on Wednesday.

The British No 1 was beaten 6-4, 1-6, 6-7 (4-7) by Australian teenager Maya Joint at Eastbourne in her final warm-up event before Wimbledon.