Cincinnati – what began as a simple sports defeat at the Cincinnati Open has become one of the most tense and commented stories of the season. Emma Raducanu, visibly affected after losing against Aryna Sabalenka, had remained silent in front of a wave of criticism, hostile messages and even threats. However, last night, after receiving public support from her boyfriend, Carlos Alcaraz, the British tennis player decided to rule with a firmness that nobody expected.

“Enough”, were Raducanu’s first words at an improvised press conference that was held in the tournament media hall. With a trembling but determined voice, he looked directly at the cameras and said:

“During the last weeks I have been harassed, insulted and threatened. Today I want to say the name of the person who has made me go through all this: [name of the alleged aggressor].”

The silence in the room was absolute. Several journalists, incredulous, exchanged looks. Never before Raducanu had publicly pointed out an individual in such a delicate context. According to their statements, the threats began days after their elimination in Wimbledon and intensified after their defeat against Sabalenka.

Minutes after the conference, Carlos Alcaraz, who had been training on the central track, published a message on his social networks that quickly went viral:

“I am proud of Emma for speaking. No one deserves this treatment. Tennis is competition, not a hate battlefield. I will be by his side until the end.”

The message was accompanied by a photo of both, taken hours before, in which Emma smiled shyly while Carlos hugged her. In a matter of minutes, the hashtag#SamosContigoemmaHe began to climb in world trends.

The magnitude of the accusation forced the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to act. An official statement, issued just an hour later, confirmed that an internal investigation would be opened and that it would contact the corresponding authorities.

“The physical and mental well -being of our players is our priority. We do not tolerate any form of harassment or threat,” said the ITF spokesman.

Internal sources leaked that the alleged aggressor had already been warned in the past by inappropriate behaviors towards other players, although there had never been evidence as concrete as those now provided by Raducanu.

In an unexpected turn, the person indicated by Emma Raducanu publicly responded just five minutes after his name became viral:

“I hope justice is done now that we have raised the voice. There are things that must come to light and I am willing to collaborate with any investigation.”

His words further baffled fans, since they seemed to contradict the accusations and, at the same time, insinuate that there was a hidden story behind the conflict.

Among the fans and sports analysts, the situation has generated an intense debate. Some applaud Raducanu’s value for denouncing, while others question whether the public accusation, without a previous process, could trigger legal consequences.

The Spanish journalist Laura Martínez commented live for an international chain:

“This transcends sport. We are facing a case that mixes media pressure, mental health and justice. Emma has taken a very risky step, but perhaps necessary to stop harassment in professional tennis.”

Close to Raducanu they assure that the situation had taken it to a critical point. “He didn’t sleep well, he avoided leaving his hotel and was anxious before each training,” said a source of the technical team. Carlos Alcaraz, aware of his partner’s emotional wear, would have insisted that he speak publicly before the damage was irreversible.

Even Aryna Sabalenka, her rival in Cincinnati, spoke:

“The competition is on the track, not outside of it. What happened to Emma is unacceptable and I send all my strength.”

With the investigation in progress, it is expected that in the next few days more details about the evidence that support the complaint will be known. Meanwhile, Raducanu and Alcaraz have decided to stay together in New York, where both prepare for the US Open.

Beyond the victories or defeats that may come, this episode has marked a before and after in the way the world of tennis addresses harassment and protection of its players.

And although the story is still far from resolving, one thing is clear: Emma Raducanu has found in her voice – and in the support of Carlos Alcaraz – the strength to face not only a rival on the track, but also in a shadow that pursued her outside it.