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'By her side': Emma Raducanu spotted with mystery man after US Open

Emma Raducanu, pictured here in New York with Benjamin Heynold.
Emma Raducanu has been spotted around New York with Benjamin Heynold. Image: Instagram

The tennis world has officially fallen in love with Emma Raducanu after the 18-year-old's extraordinary triumph at the US Open.

Fans are desperate to learn everything they can about the British phenom, who became the first qualifier to win a grand slam in New York last week.

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Raducanu's love life has become a topic of discussion on social media, with fans wondering if the teenager has a boyfriend.

So fresh photos of Raducanu soaking up her US Open triumph in New York with a male companion have sent social media into a frenzy.

Unfortunately for fans, the man appears to be just a friend.

According to The Sun, Raducanu has caught up with long-time friend Benjamin Heynold in New York, with Heynold posting a photo of the pair alongside the caption: "History".

Raducanu and Heynold have reportedly known each other since they were six years old, playing in junior tournaments together.

Heynold was reportedly by Raducanu's side during her incredible run to the title in New York, supporting his friend because her parents couldn't be there.

"I speak to my parents, we don't really talk so much about tennis but they just really want to know how I am in these moments," she said after her victory over Leylah Fernandez in the final.

Emma Raducanu, pictured here after winning the US Open.
Emma Raducanu celebrates after winning the US Open. (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Sports Illustrated via Getty Ima)

"And, you know, to not have them here with me, I would have loved them to be here and we can all celebrate together or they could be with me and experience the same things but you know, they're watching from home very proud.

"My dad said to me 'you're even better than your dad thought' so that was reassuring.

"My dad's definitely very tough to please but I managed to today."

Raducanu and Heynold both represented Great Britain in junior tennis and played together in a charity event at the Royal Albert Hall in 2017.

However Heynold gave up his tennis dream and left the UK to study in America.

Raducanu's Romanian father, Ian, and Chinese mother, Renee, were unable to attend her crowning moment at the US Open due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Emma Raducanu soaks up US Open buzz

Raducanu's life changed in a New York minute on Saturday when she defeated Fernandez in the US Open final to become a grand slam champion.

Already the darling of British tennis with her run to the fourth round of Wimbledon earlier this year, the 18-year-old has cemented her status as a bona fide mega-star after swatting aside more experienced opponents and stunning the world of sport to become the first qualifier to win a major tennis title.

"I thought Wimbledon was such an incredible experience. Fourth round, second week, I couldn't believe it," Raducanu told reporters of her All England campaign that ended when she retired mid-match due to breathing difficulties.

"I thought, what a great achievement. But I was still hungry."

Just months after finishing high school, she told reporters she hasn't given much thought to how radically her life is about to change, with her ranking set to soar from 150th to 23rd in the world.

"I'm not even thinking about, like, when I'm going home. I have no idea when I'm going home," she said.

"I'm just really trying to embrace the moment, really take it all in... Right now, no care in the world, I'm just loving life."

Raducanu moved through Flushing Meadows with ease, winning 20 consecutive sets, including her three qualifying matches.

"I don't feel absolutely any pressure," she said.

"I'm still only 18 years old. I'm just having a free swing at anything that comes my way."

with AAP

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