Chris Evert has dismissed talk of any comparisons between her \u201crelationship\u201d with Jimmy Connors and the US Open partnership between Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu.<\/p>\n
Grand Slam champions Alcaraz<\/a> and Raducanu<\/a> have teamed up for the revamped US Open mixed doubles event, which started on Tuesday.<\/p>\n The pair are among the most high-profile partnerships entered into the draw, and anticipation has been building ever since their partnership was confirmed back in June.<\/p>\n There has been a heavy ongoing interest in the two\u2019s partnership, with several \u2013 rather unwisely \u2013 speculating that Alcaraz and Raducanu are in a romantic relationship, despite no proof of that being the case.<\/p>\n There have been repeated denials from both parties regarding the rumours, with Raducanu commenting further on the \u201cfunny\u201d attention placed on her and the Spaniard earlier this week<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess it comes with the territory, people being so curious,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they\u2019re more curious about this news than any tennis results and tennis news. But I just keep to myself, my private life to one side.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s always funny when people try to find something out, but I try not to read into it so much.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Raducanu and Alcaraz have had to deal with an intense amount of interest when it comes to the unfounded rumours regarding their relationship, though such attention is hardly new.<\/p>\n Tennis News<\/p>\n Jannik Sinner\u2019s decision on US Open mixed doubles event revealed after Cincinnati retirement<\/a><\/p>\n Why Coco Gauff has left a former world No 6 \u2018concerned\u2019 ahead of the US Open<\/a><\/p>\n Five decades ago, 18-time Grand Slam champion Evert<\/a> found herself under the eye of attention thanks to her relationship with fellow tennis great Connors<\/a>.<\/p>\n Evert was engaged to Connors, an eight-time Grand Slam winner, and their respective Wimbledon women\u2019s and men\u2019s singles triumphs at Wimbledon in 1974 were dubbed the \u2018Love Double.\u2019<\/p>\n The relationship between the two American greats ended in 1975, though it is still often discussed within the tennis world.<\/p>\n However, speaking to ESPN<\/a> earlier this week in regards to Alcaraz and Raducanu, a 70-year-old Evert was quick to dismiss comparisons between the duo, and herself and Connors.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, because they\u2019re not having a relationship,\u201d said Evert.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so glad I came up in the \u201970s, not in this day and age. Because, I mean, jeez, you\u2019re controversial and talked about no matter what you do.\u201d<\/p>\n Alcaraz and Raducanu received a wildcard into the revamped and controversial 16-team mixed doubles event in New York, which will take place across two days \u2013 ahead of main-draw men\u2019s and women\u2019s singles action.<\/p>\n The pair face a tough opening-round against top seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, who are among the provisional favourites for the title.<\/p>\n Alcaraz also faces a tough turnaround from the Cincinnati Open, having lifted the title at the Masters 1000 event<\/a> only yesterday.<\/p>\n