Andy Murray says he is 'not bitter' about Emma Raducanu pulling out of what was meant to be his final Wimbledon match

Published 25/07/2024 at 09:17 GMT

Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu were due to play mixed doubles together at Wimbledon in what would have been Murray's final appearance at the All England Club. However, Raducanu withdrew citing a sore wrist, as she prioritised the singles tournament. Murray - who will retire following the Olympics in Paris - insists he is not "bitter" about missing out on a final farewell at Wimbledon.

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Andy Murray says he’s “not frustrated or bitter” about Emma Raducanu pulling out of the Wimbledon mixed doubles - which brought his last appearance at the All England Club to a premature end.

Having been knocked out of the men’s doubles alongside his brother Jamie, Murray was due to have at least one final match at the Championships, but Raducanu withdrew due to a sore wrist.

She took the precautionary move in order to aid her attempts in the women’s singles, where she was beaten in the last-16 by qualifier Lulu Sun.

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Speaking about the situation for the first time, Murray said: “Everyone is going to look out for their best interests and what it is that they do. I understand that, and I don't have an issue with that.

“Getting to finish playing at Wimbledon on Centre Court with my brother was unbelievably special. That obviously wasn't how I'd planned it. That's how it ended up, and I'm really happy about that.

“I'm not frustrated or bitter about it. I'm happy that I got to finish playing at Wimbledon with my brother.”

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Murray’s mother, Judy, caused a stir on social media following Raducanu’s withdrawal when she called the decision “astonishing.”

She later said her response was “sarcasm” and directed the blame towards the tournament organisers.

Judy wrote: “Pretty sure the scheduling (4th match Court 1 with a singles the following day) will have played a major part in any decision-making”.

Asked about his mother being in the spotlight for her reaction, Murray said: “I think that it's always important in situations like this to remember that at that moment everyone is really emotional because it's the end of me playing at Wimbledon.

“She's my mum, so she obviously cares a lot about me and has been a huge part of my career. Everyone's emotions are obviously running high. My mum's obviously always going to support me and look out for my best interests. She's been my best supporter.”

Murray has stayed coy on whether Raducanu’s decision has soured their relationship, saying: “I haven't spoken to her since we chatted on the phone, when she told me she wasn't going to play.”

Murray withdraws from singles at Paris 2024

Since his Wimbledon farewell, Murray announced he will play a competitive tournament for the final time when he steps out on court at Roland Garros in the Team GB colours at the Olympics.

It has been confirmed that Murray will not compete in the tennis singles competition at Paris 2024.

The two-time Olympic champion will focus on the doubles competition, where he is set to play alongside Dan Evans.

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