Tennis fans have slammed Emma Raducanu today after she withdrew from her much-anticipated mixed doubles match with Andy Murray, denying him the final Wimbledon match.
In south-west London there was great anticipation that Britain’s two leading players would team up to give Murray a final swansong at the All England Club.
The duo were scheduled to play their fourth match tonight on Court One against Zhang Shuai and Marcelo Arevalo, but Raducanu withdrew hours beforehand due to stiffness in her right wrist.
It was a huge disappointment for ticket holders and also for Murray, whose career was celebrated on Centre Court on Thursday after a first-round defeat to his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles.
Fans were devastated, as they wanted to give one of the greatest British athletes of all time a proper send-off, with some fiercely attacking Raducanu for her decision.
Emma Raducanu wears an England football kit during training at Wimbledon today
Andy Murray’s career was celebrated on Centre Court on Thursday after he lost in the first round of the men’s doubles to his brother Jamie.
Murray played his final match with his brother Jamie on Thursday in the first round of the men’s doubles
Fans were shocked that they would not be able to see the 37-year-old in action for the All England club for the last time, and took their frustrations out on the 21-year-old.
A fan lashed out, saying: “I knew she would do that instead of giving Andy Murray the send off he deserved. Shame on you Emma Raducanu.”
Another wrote: ‘That girl – honestly. So self-centered, so disorganized and sadly so predictable! Cheered her on yesterday – never again. Form is temporary, but class is permanent.’
A third added: ‘Terrible call from Emma Raducanu… she has years of matches ahead of her or a once in a lifetime opportunity to play Andy Murray’s last match at Wimbledon. It’s a no brainer, which I think she’s missing out on at the moment.’
But other fans were quick to defend Raducanu. One fan responded to X by saying, “We’re all devastated, but I hope Emma pulls through in her singles match.”
Another wrote: ‘Difficult but the right decision for both of them. Andy had a perfect send-off on Thursday and Emma has a great chance in the singles.’
And a third added: ‘As disappointing as it is, I don’t think you can blame Emma Raducanu for her mixed dubs withdrawal. Playing fourth on Court 1 today – with a huge singles match tomorrow – was never going to be ideal. Absolutely the right decision.’
Raducanu announced the decision this afternoon in a statement, saying: ‘Unfortunately, I woke up this morning with a stiff right wrist. Therefore, I have decided to take the difficult decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight.
“I’m disappointed because I was really looking forward to playing with Andy, but I had to be careful.”
Raducanu will play her fourth-round singles match against Lulu Sun on Sunday. She is careful not to push her body too far, having undergone surgery on both wrists and one ankle last year, which will keep her out for eight months.
Murray insisted after his match on Thursday that there would be no change of heart in his decision to retire, saying: “I know it’s time now. I’m ready.”
He goes on a family holiday before preparing for the last competition of his career, the Olympic Games in Paris, where he will compete in the singles and doubles events with Dan Evans.
Raducanu, meanwhile, must hope the problem does not derail her Wimbledon success, as the 21-year-old will now at least reach the quarter-finals.
There doesn’t seem to be much reason to panic as Raducanu hit the mark at the All England Club on Saturday, despite looking uncomfortable in photos.
The former US Open champion once again donned an England shirt ahead of the 2024 European Championship quarter-final against Switzerland, which kicks off at 5pm CET in Germany.