A decision that caused an uproar.
Emma Raducanu withdrew from the mixed doubles match with Andy Murray on Saturday, Murray’s final at Wimbledon, just hours before the match.
“Given the situation I was in when I woke up (Saturday) morning, it was a no-brainer for me,” Raducanu, 21, said of his decision.
Raducane’s camp claimed she experienced “some stiffness” in her right wrist, which prompted her to take a rest midway through her incredible run in the singles division.
Murray’s mother, Judy, wasn’t having any of it.
“Yes, I was surprised.” Judy wrote to X in response to Sky Sports reporter Marcus Backlund, who was reporting the news of the withdrawal.
Raducanu’s troubles were compounded by a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 loss to New Zealand’s Lulu Sun in the round of 16 on Sunday.
Raducanu has had one of his most impressive Grand Slam appearances since bursting into the limelight when he won the 2021 U.S. Open as a qualifier.
Raducanu spoke about his decision after his shock loss to qualifier Son, ranked 123rd in the world.
“At the end of the day, I think a lot of players in a similar situation would have done the same thing and put their body first,” Raducanu said. “I think with any decision, people have a right to their opinion.”
Raducanu said Murray hadn’t asked about that scenario when they agreed to be paired together.
“He didn’t ask me, ‘If you’re still in singles, are you going to play?'” the London native said.
Judy’s tweet was featured at Raducanu’s press conference.
“I didn’t see her reaction so I don’t know,” she said. “What was she being sarcastic about? I don’t think she meant it.”
The outspoken Judy later claimed: Her response was sarcastic And he alludes to the tournament’s rigorous schedule.
Murray, 37, had been competing at Wimbledon but was forced to withdraw from the singles due to recent back surgery.
He competed in the men’s doubles with his brother Jamie but lost in the first round on Thursday to Australia’s Linky Hijikata and John Peers.
Still, it was an emotional moment for Murray on Centre Court, as he said goodbye to the fans who have supported him throughout his incredible career.
“I want to play forever,” Murray told reporters on Thursday. “I love this sport. This sport has given me so much. This sport has taught me so many lessons over the years that will help me for the rest of my life. It’s going to be hard because I don’t want to quit.”
The highlight of his career was winning Wimbledon in 2013, becoming the first British-born player, male or female, to win the singles title since Fred Perry in 1936. He won the Wimbledon title again in 2016.
Despite the drama, Raducanu stressed that he had no intention of escalating the situation.
“Obviously, I didn’t want to take away his last game,” she said.
