Emma Raducanu took on Lulu Sun in the fourth round of the women’s singles at Wimbledon, having withdrawn from the mixed doubles event where she was due to partner Andy Murray
Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon conqueror Lulu Sun had the word ‘astonish’ emblazoned across her chest in an unfortunate coincidence after Judy Murray’s comments about the British star.
Murray’s son Andy had been due to partner Raducanu in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon, only for the former US Open champion to pull out amid stiffness in her wrist. The Scot dubbed the decision “astonishing,” with Sun’s outfit bringing those comments to mind.
“Yesterday, Emma Raducanu’s decision to withdraw from mixed doubles was described as “astonishing” by Judy Murray. Today’s opponent Lulu Sun appears to be (unintentionally) trolling her with the word “astonish” on her top!” one observer wrote on social media.
Raducanu, who was kept out of Wimbledon in 2023 after undergoing wrist surgery, was well enough to take to Centre Court against Sun despite dropping out of the mixed doubles. She fell to a tough loss against the New Zealander, though, losing 2-6, 7-5, 2-6.
“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,” Raducanu had previously said when announcing her decision. “I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy, but I’ve got to take care.”
The withdrawal meant Andy Murray has played his final match at Wimbledon. He pulled out of the men’s singles himself, having failed to recover in time after back surgery, and suffered a first round defeat alongside brother Jamie in the men’s doubles.
Judy Murray later sought to clarify her comments. “Not sure anyone understands sarcasm these days,” she wrote on social media. “Pretty sure the scheduling (4th match court 1 with a singles following day) will have played a major part in any decision making.”
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Raducanu dropped the first set against Sun after making a slow start. She gave herself hope by winning the second, but received treatment early in the decider before ultimately falling short in her efforts.
Neither player had progressed beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon before. Sun’s victory sets up a quarter-final against Croatian star Donna Vekic, who beat Spaniard Paula Badosa in another three-setter on Sunday.
Speaking to the BBC after her victory, 23-year-old Sun made reference to the grass court stars who have helped her hone her game. “For example, Federer, of course, coming towards the net, and I watched also Steffi Graf versus Martina Navratilova on YouTube,” she began.
“It was just so amazing to watch them. Of course I couldn’t watch them live but I was taking it it all on from the pros, and trying to do that for my game.”