Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, is hoping to mend ties with British tennis legend Andy Murray as she prepares for the 2025 French Open, expressing regret over her controversial withdrawal from their planned mixed doubles match at Wimbledon 2024. The 22-year-old, now ranked world No. 43, revealed her desire to clear the air with the recently retired Murray, who she admires deeply, and is eager to seek his advice during the tournament at Roland Garros.
Wimbledon 2024 Fallout
The fallout from Wimbledon 2024 stemmed from Raducanu’s last-minute decision to pull out of the mixed doubles event with Murray, citing wrist stiffness ahead of her singles fourth-round match. The move ended Murray’s final Wimbledon appearance prematurely, sparking backlash from fans and a pointed “astonishing” comment from Murray’s mother, Judy, on X. Raducanu, who lost to Lulu Sun in singles shortly after, faced criticism but defended her choice, stating, “I have to prioritise myself, my singles, and my body.”
Apology and Reconciliation
In January 2025, during the Australian Open, Raducanu disclosed that she had sent Murray a “long message” apologizing for the incident, fearing “bad blood” with the three-time Grand Slam champion. “I hope he doesn’t hate me too much,” she told reporters after defeating Amanda Anisimova to reach the third round in Melbourne. “He’s someone I’ve grown up looking up to, and I don’t want any harsh feelings.” Murray responded graciously, saying he was disappointed but understood her decision, signaling that the two are now on amicable terms, exchanging friendly greetings.
Hopes for French Open 2025
At the French Open 2025, Raducanu, seeded to face Wang Xinyu in the first round, is keen to have a conversation with Murray, who is in Paris coaching Novak Djokovic. “I hope he’s forgiven me for last year; I still feel bad about it,” she said in a pre-tournament press conference. “I’m looking forward to seeing him around and having a conversation. I think he would give great advice, he’s been in a similar situation and would probably understand a lot of things that I’m also going through.”
Coaching Speculation
Speculation about Murray potentially coaching Raducanu has resurfaced, especially after his split with Djokovic in May 2025. Murray had previously named Raducanu as his “dream” player to coach in 2022, praising her 2021 US Open triumph. However, Raducanu has committed to Mark Petchey, Murray’s former coach, for the grass season, including Wimbledon, after a successful stint that saw her win eight of 11 matches. Despite this, Petchey himself endorsed a potential Murray-Raducanu partnership, calling it a “dream team” in June 2024.
Focus on Roland Garros
Raducanu’s preparation for Roland Garros, marked by increased clay-court play and a new running regimen, reflects her determination to push forward despite a recurring back spasm. Her focus on self-sufficiency, instilled by Petchey, aligns with her hope to tap Murray’s experience to navigate the pressures of her career. As she faces a tough potential second-round match against Iga Swiatek, Raducanu’s outreach to Murray underscores her desire to learn from a British icon while healing past tensions, all while aiming to make her mark on the Parisian clay.
