Emma Raducanu has been romantically linked to John Friend, a 32-year-old public relations executive whose family has endured a series of devastating tragedies, including the death of his brother Will Friend from a lightning strike in 2022. The 23-year-old former US Open champion was photographed hand-in-hand with Friend in Battersea Park, London, just days after she withdrew from Wimbledon due to a stress fracture in her leg.
Who is John Friend?
John Friend is an Old Harrovian, having attended the prestigious Harrow School in London. He served as a former paratrooper with the elite 4 Para reserve regiment before becoming a high-flying PR expert and director of his own firm, JSGF. His father is an independent board advisor who served on the Queen's Club real tennis committee in London, giving Friend deep ties to the British tennis world.
Brother Killed by Lightning
Will Friend, John's brother, was killed at age 33 in 2022 after being struck by lightning while on a boat near Masonboro Island, Wilmington, North Carolina. Emergency services attempted to revive him for 20 minutes in an ambulance, but he was pronounced dead before reaching the hospital. Will was married to Hollywood actress Bevin Prince, known for her role on One Tree Hill; the couple had been married since 2016 and had recently launched a local fitness business together.
A Series of Devastating Losses
John Friend lost his mother, Antoinette, to incurable breast cancer in 2018, two years after her diagnosis. In her memory, John and his brothers founded the charity Team Antoinette, which raises over £60,000 for Action Against Cancer. In 2024, just two years after Will's death, John's other brother, Tom, also passed away at age 33.
A 'Healing Presence' for Raducanu
Raducanu's withdrawal from Wimbledon—announced after a medical scan revealed a stress fracture—was a bitter blow, but sources say Friend's presence has been a stabilizing force. Following her runner-up finish at the Queen's Club Championships against Donna Vekic, Raducanu appeared relaxed in London, walking Friend's dog and enjoying his company. A source told the Daily Mail: "Emma seems far happier than she has been in recent years. 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."
