Emma Raducanu had been due to play alongside ‘idol’ Andy Murray in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon on Saturday but she pulled out hours before the pair’s first match citing injury concerns
Judy Murray has turned her social media account private after appearing to criticise Emma Raducanu, who’s withdrawn from playing mixed doubles alongside Andy Murray at Wimbledon.
Raducanu, 21, confirmed on Saturday that she wouldn’t be playing alongside two-time men’s singles champion Murray due to feeling discomfort in her right wrist – which she had an operation on last year. The Brit’s decision came too late for Murray to re-pair which means that he’s now played his last ever match at Wimbledon ahead of his anticipated retirement later this year.
But Raducanu will still play her fourth-round women’s singles tie against New Zealand-Swiss player Lulu Sun on Sunday, a decision which has garnered criticism. Following her withdrawal from the mixed doubles and missing the chance to play alongside her ‘idol’, one broadcaster labelled the decision ‘astonishing’ and added: “It means Murray has played his last match at Wimbledon. Oh dear.”
Mum Judy chose to reply and simply wrote: “Yes, astonishing.”
Judy’s posts on X, formerly Twitter, are now unable to be viewed by the general public unless you’re one of her more than 300,000 followers on the social media platform. Raducanu’s decision was announced hours before she and Murray were set to play Marcelo Arevalo of El Salvador and China’s Zhang Shuai to begin their campaign.
It’s understood that Raducanu’s team harboured reservations about the 21-year-old featuring in the mixed doubles competition. The former US Open champion has made an encouraging comeback in 2024 following an injury-ravaged last few years, leading to multiple surgeries last summer.
Raducanu, who grew up idolising Murray, explained in a statement: “Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist this morning, so I have taken the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles. I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy, but I’ve got to take care.”
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Between bouts of rain on Saturday, Raducanu was spotted on the practice courts at Wimbledon to prepare for her match against Sun. She was seen wearing protective white strapping beneath her blue wristband.
Murray was prevented from playing in the men’s singles after having an operation to remove a cyst on his spine last month but did manage to partner brother Jamie for a doubles match on Thursday. A video montage of Andy’s prestigious career was played at Centre Court after the brothers’ defeat to Aussie duo John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.
The three-time major champion was in tears as thousands of fans showed their appreciation. Murray hopes to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games in Paris later this month in both the men’s singles and doubles competitions, marking likely his final event.