Judy Murray responds to Emma Raducanu comment after shock Wimbledon doubles decision

Judy Murray said she was being sarcastic after calling Raducanu’s decision to pull out of the mixed-doubles with son Andy ‘astonishing’

Jamie Braidwood
at Wimbledon
Sunday 07 July 2024 05:10 EDT
Comments
Wimbledon match stops as crowd celebrates England reaching Euro semi-finals

Your support helps us to tell the story

As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.

Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.

Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election

Head shot of Andrew Feinberg

Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Judy Murray has said she was being sarcastic when she labelled Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from her mixed-doubles match with Andy Murray as “astonishing”.

Andy’s Wimbledon career came to an abrupt end as Raducanu’s decision to pull out of the mixed-doubles left the two-time champion unable to play his last match at SW19.

Raducanu withdrew while citing stiffness in her wrist, prioritising her health ahead of her singles match against Lulu Sun as the 21-year-old bids to reach her first Wimbledon quarter-final.

Raducanu is scheduled to play on Centre Court on Sunday afternoon
Raducanu is scheduled to play on Centre Court on Sunday afternoon (Getty Images)

Andy is said to be devastated by the decision, while eyebrows were raised as his mother Judy reacted to a post on X/Twitter calling the news “astonishing”, to which she replied: “Yes, astonishing.”

The 64-year-old then switched her X/Twitter account to private after her post with flooded with replies. But, in a fresh post on Sunday morning, Judy clarified her original comment.

“Not sure anyone understands sarcasm these days,” Judy said. “Pretty sure the scheduling (4th match court 1 with a singles following day) will have played a major part in any decision making.”

(Getty Images)

Murray’s Wimbledon career was celebrated in a special ceremony on Centre Court following his defeat in the men’s doubles alongside brother Jamie, but Murray believed he had another match to come as he waved farewell.

Raducanu, the world number 135, was in sensational form as she defeated Maria Sakkari in the singles on Friday to reach the fourth round but the 21-year-old said in a statement: “Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist this morning.

“Therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight. I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care.”

Raducanu was pictured training in an England top on Saturday afternoon before her decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles was announced, and looked to be grimacing as she held her wrist.

Emma Raducanu winces during practice
Emma Raducanu winces during practice (PA Wire)

The pairing of Murray and Raducanu, Britain’s only grand slam singles champions this century, promised to be a treat for Wimbledon fans, with the match set to be play on Saturday evening as the fourth match on Court One.

Raducanu takes on qualifier Lulu Sun, the world No 123, for a place in the quarter-finals with the 21-year-old’s match scheduled second on Centre Court on Sunday afternoon.

Had Raducanu played the mixed doubles her recovery time would have been limited to less than 24 hours before taking to Centre Court, where she is aiming to reach the last-eight at her home grand slam for the first time.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in