As Andy Murray prepares himself for one final competition, Mirror Sport has a look at what was said between Emma Raducanu and Judy Murray following the Wimbledon disappointment
Andy Murray has entered the final competition of his tennis career with Judy Murray and Emma Raducanu’s apparent saga sounding off as a backdrop.
At the start of the month, Murray played his final match at Wimbledon when he and brother Jamie lost to Australian duo Rinky Hijikata and John Peers in the first round. It was supposed to be his penultimate match at SW19, as he was scheduled to play with Emma Raducanu in mixed doubles.
Yet, the match was not to be as Raducanu pulled out at the last minute sighting tightness in her wrist. A disappointed Judy appeared to have a dig at the 21-year-old on social media, prompting shock from the tennis world.
Raducanu made no apologies about her decision to pull out of the match, insisting it was the right decision. Murray has since announced the Olympic Games in Paris will be the final competition of his career. Before he goes to battle alongside Dan Evans in the doubles, Mirror Sport has a look at what was said between the two-time Wimbledon winner’s mother and the 2021 US Open winner.
When Raducanu made her announcement, Judy appeared to light the fuse of their apparent saga. Tennis broadcaster Marcus Buckland announced the news on his X page in a tweet which elicited a comment from Judy.
He tweeted: “Astonishing news that Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from her mixed doubles match with Andy Murray. She’s citing soreness in her right wrist. It means Murray has played his last match at Wimbledon! Oh dear!”
Judy replied: “Yes, astonishing” in what was interpreted as a dig from tennis fans on social media. She would go on to claim that her tweet was not a swipe at Raducanu, but one at the SW19 schedulers. After changing her X page to private in response to the tidal wave of comments and replies, she tweeted: “Not sure anyone understands sarcasm these days. Pretty sure the scheduling (4th match court 1 with a singles following day) will have played a major part in any decision making.”
Raducanu shrugged off questions about Murray’s mother, claiming she did not hear or see any responses online from her, but said that everyone is “entitled to their opinions”. She also unapologetically explained her decision to pull out of the doubles, saying: “I don’t think it was a mistake because I was feeling fine, then [Saturday] morning just woke up with stiffness.
Murray said he has not spoken to Raducanu (
“I have to prioritise myself, my singles and my body. I think it was the right decision. I stand by the decision. Obviously it was a tough decision, though, because it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.”
Soon after arriving in Paris, Murray was asked if he had been in touch with Raducanu following the apparent ensuing feud between her and his mother. He kept his answer short and brief, saying: “No, I haven’t spoken to her since we chatted on the phone, when she told me she wasn’t going to play. We’ve not spoken.”
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He then came to his mother’s aid when a question about her was put to him in the French capital. Murray said: “It’s always important, in situations like this, to remember that at that moment, everyone is really emotional.
“It’s the end of me playing at Wimbledon. For everyone, I’m aware there’s a much bigger picture out there. But she’s my mum. She cares a lot about me, and she has been a huge part of my career. Look at what had happened in the 10 days of warm-up.
“I had just had a surgery, I didn’t know if I would get the opportunity to play. Everyone’s emotions are running high at that time of year. My mum’s always going to look out for my best interests. She has been the best supporter.”Raducanu will not be competing at the Olympic Games
Meanwhile, Raducanu will also be a huge absentee from the Games. Having also recently recovered from a painful bout of injuries, Raducanu said the swift change of surface from grass to clay is behind her decision to not compete in Paris.
She recently said: “I love playing for my country, I think that was pretty clear at the Billie Jean Cup, I really fought, and I enjoyed it so much, but the Olympics is just not the right time for me this year. I really hope to be a part of the next one, but I guess with the change in surface, it’s just not worth the risk for me at this point having recovered from the surgeries last year.
“But I do wish the team good luck. So not in a diva way, [I’m] just prioritising my body and my health because I know if I’m fit, I know if I’m giving my 100%, I know great things are happening and coming.”
