Controversy erupted at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships when Emma Raducanu withdrew from her mixed doubles match with Andy Murray, and he now addressed the situation.
Emotions were high at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with Murray set to play in his final ever event as a professional player after officially confirming that he would retire.
Sadly, Murray is unable to compete in the singles. It would have been fitting for the Briton to play singles at the Olympics one final time after he won a gold medal in 2012 and 2016, beating Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro, respectively, in the finals.
Despite this, some in the media are still focused on Murray's final farewell at Wimbledon being canceled after Raducanu elected to pull out to make sure she was fit for her fourth-round singles match at SW19.
Murray had already experienced an emotional match with his brother Jamie in the men's doubles on Centre Court, followed by a video tribute from several fellow players. This included Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
The two-time Wimbledon men's singles champion's last goodbye was supposed to take place alongside Radcuanu, but some were outraged when the news initially broke of her withdrawal.
Andy's mother, Judy Murray, was one of these people. The Scotswoman tweeted her astonishment at Raducanu's decision not to play. Her reaction received much attention on social media, with some supporting her words, while others felt Raducanu was right to focus on herself.
Murray spoke about the saga for the first time in a press conference ahead of the Olympics. The 37-year-old said he did not have a problem with Raducanu's decision, and he was happy that his final match was with his brother on Centre Court.
"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."
Although he does not hold any resentment towards Raducanu, Murray also defended his mother, Judy, saying there was a lot of emotion surrounding his final appearance at Wimbledon, and it was understandable she got caught up in all that.
"At that moment, everyone’s really emotional because it’s the end of me playing at Wimbledon. I’m aware there’s a much bigger picture out there but she’s my mum so she obviously cares a lot about me, and it’s been a huge part of my career as well."
"What had happened in the 10 days in the build-up as well, I’d just had a surgery where I didn’t know if I was going to get the opportunity to play. Everyone’s emotions are obviously running high but my mum’s obviously always going to support me and look out for my best interests. She’s been the best supporter."
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