Emma Raducanu has fuelled fresh speculation about her love life after being photographed with a new man, who is said to have become an important source of emotional support as she deals with another crushing setback in her tennis career.
The 23-year-old former US Open winner, who has pulled out of Wimbledon on the eve of her opening match because of injury, was seen holding hands with 32-year-old public relations executive John Friend while sitting on a bench in Battersea Park, London.
The developing romance has reportedly brought renewed happiness and stability to Raducanu after several difficult years both professionally and personally. That said, it has also turned into a deeply tragic story behind Friend's life.
Behind the 32-year-old's polished exterior as a successful London professional lies a background marked by unimaginable family tragedy, with three close relatives dying over an eight-year period. Here Mirror Sport takes a closer look at the painful history of Raducanu's reported new partner.
Who is John Friend?
John Friend comes from a distinguished British background. He is an "Old Harrovian," having studied at the prestigious Harrow School in London. Before moving into the communications industry, he served as a paratrooper in the elite 4 Para reserve regiment.
He now works as a leading public relations consultant and runs his own agency, JSGF. Friend also has longstanding links to British tennis, something that may have played a role in bringing him and Raducanu together.
His father works as an independent board adviser and has also served on the real tennis committee at the exclusive Queen's Club in London.
Struck by lightning
The most widely reported tragedy involving the Friend family came in 2022 when John's brother, Will Friend, died after being struck by lightning at the age of 33. Will, who had moved to the United States and built a successful career in commercial real estate, was boating with friends near Masonboro Island, close to his home in Wilmington, North Carolina, when the incident happened.
Paramedics fought to save him, carrying out resuscitation attempts for around 20 minutes in an ambulance. Sadly, he was pronounced dead before arriving at hospital.
Will's untimely passing attracted worldwide attention because of the shocking circumstances and because he was married to actress Bevin Prince, who played Bevin Mirskey in the popular teen drama One Tree Hill. The couple had tied the knot in 2016 and had recently relocated to the coast, where they launched a local fitness business together.
A series of devastating losses
The death of William was not the only personal tragedy John has faced. Over a relatively short span of time, he lost his mother as well as both of his brothers.
His mother, Antoinette, was diagnosed with incurable breast cancer in 2016 before passing away two years later. In tribute to her memory, John and his brothers established the charity Team Antoinette, which has raised more than £60,000 for Action Against Cancer.
Then, in 2024, only two years after Will's death, John's other brother, Tom, also died. He was 33 years old.
A 'healing presence' for Raducanu
Friend's arrival in Raducanu's life appears to have come at a significant moment. Since her remarkable breakthrough at the 2021 US Open, the British star has had to cope with enormous expectations, repeated injury problems, regular coaching changes and constant media attention.
Her decision to withdraw from Wimbledon - announced on Sunday evening after a final medical scan confirmed that a persistent leg "niggle" had developed into a stress fracture - was another major disappointment. Missing her home Grand Slam for the second time in four years left Raducanu admitting the situation had been "really difficult to process."
Despite those professional challenges, people close to the player say she is happier and more settled than she has been for some time. After finishing runner-up to Donna Vekic in the Queen's Club Championships final, Raducanu was seen looking relaxed around London, smiling as she walked Friend's dog and spent time with him.
"Emma seems far happier than she has been in recent years," a source close to the couple told the Daily Mail. "She appears more confident, understands herself better, and has regained that positive energy everyone fell in love with. John's presence has been a wonderful support."
