"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 decided to feature the Spanish version of her name on her customized Nike bag ahead of the 2024 US Open. As the choice prompted speculation to run riot, Paula Badosa joked that the Brit was dating her rather than Carlos Alcaraz.

After missing the WTA 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati, Raducanu has begun gearing up for her campaign at the US Open, the main draw action of which commences on August 26. Having clinched her maiden Grand Slam title at the New York Major in 2021, the Brit will aim to replicate her winning performance at Flushing Meadows.

Ahead of her campaign, Emma Raducanu paid a visit to a Nike store in New York, where she received a customized bag with 'Emmita' spray painted on it. The artist, Ryan Humphrey, took to Instagram and revealed that the 21-year-old had requested the "Spanish version of her name."

A fan reshared Humphrey's post and playfully speculated that Raducanu was either dating Carlos Alcaraz or Paula Badosa, based on the use of her Spanish name.

"Either dating carlos or paula," the fan posted.

The post even caught the attention of Paula Badosa, who joked that she was the one "dating" Emma Raducanu rather than Carlos Alcaraz.

"Obviously me," Badosa responded.

Badosa and Raducanu share a close friendship, frequently gushing over each other on social media. The Spaniard's hilarious comment likely referred to their endearing matching nicknames, 'Paulita and Emmita,' which Raducanu unveiled after a shared practice session at Wimbledon earlier this year.

"Paulita and Emmita 🤣🫶," Raducanu posted on her Instagram story.

Emma Raducanu's Instagram stories from Wimbledon

Emma Raducanu and Paula Badosa on opposite sides of US Open 2024 women's draw; Carlos Alcaraz drawn in same half as Jannik Sinner in men's draw

Emma Raducanu at the 2024 US Open (Source: Getty)

Emma Raducanu and Paula Badosa feature in opposite halves of the women's draw at the 2024 US Open, ensuring that they can only meet in the final of the New York Major.

Raducanu will kick off her campaign against Sofia Kenin, locking horns in their first meeting on tour. If the Brit triumphs over Kenin, she will take on the winner of the match between Jessica Pegula and Shelby Rogers.

Badosa, meanwhile, will face Viktorija Golubic in her opening match. The former World No. 2 will be up against Taylor Townsend or Martina Trevisan if she beats Golubic.

On the men's side, third seed Carlos Alcaraz will take on qualifier Li Tu in the first round. Should the Spaniard emerge victorious, he will square off against Denis Shapovalov or Botic van de Zandschulp, with a potential semifinal clash with top seed Jannik Sinner looming on the horizon.