Murray reflects on Raducanu's controversial mixed doubles withdrawal at his last Wimbledon
NewsTuesday, 23 September 2025 at 00:00
Emma Raducanu caused huge controversy at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships when she withdrew from her scheduled mixed doubles with Andy Murray. The three-time Grand Slam champion has now given his thoughts on the subject.
Murray, who could not play in the singles because of a physical issue, planned to participate in the men's doubles with his brother, Jamie, and the mixed doubles with Raducanu to bid farewell to Wimbledon.
His match with Jamie on Centre Court was very emotional. It felt like the perfect way to finish his career, but the two-time singles champion at SW19 thought he still had the mixed doubles to play.
Raducanu ended that plan by withdrawing with what she said was stiffness. However, many British fans were left fuming when the 2021 US Open winner played the next day against Lulu Sun in the women's singles round of 16.
An angry tweet from Murray's mother, Judy, swiftly followed about the move being astonishing. Although she subsequently tried to defuse the controversy by saying she was not aiming a dig at Raducanu, few believed her based on the apparent evidence of the original tweet.
Murray said nothing about the incident at the time and officially ended his career in the men's doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Dan Evans. His preference for focusing on ending on a high note in the French capital was understandable.
The former ATP world no. 1 has now discussed Raducanu's controversial withdrawal in comments to The Times. Murray said there is no lingering animosity toward his compatriot, but he admitted he had to clear things up with her first.
"We exchanged multiple messages since Wimbledon and things were fine after we cleared everything up. It was obviously a pretty emotional time for me and everyone around me, so it was hard but, like I said, I was really happy with the way that my career finished."
"I got to play my last match at Wimbledon with my brother. Emma’s not someone that, beforehand, we were communicating all the time or discussing ideas about her game and things like that, so that hasn’t changed."
Although some may still think Raducanu should have played through stiffness for Murray, it probably worked out for the best in the end. His bond with brother Jamie, with whom he played crucial matches during Great Britain's 2015 Davis Cup triumph, felt fitting.
Andy Murray is open to helping Jack Draper progress
Murray's relationship with Jack Draper, who idolized him growing up, has been closer than with Raducanu, including practice sessions. The tennis legend revealed that he found players he respected critiquing him during his career challenging, and does not want to do that to Draper.
"I know when I was a young British player I found it very, very unhelpful when people that you knew or looked up to were being critical of you after losses publicly. You respect their opinions and often they might differ from what your coach is telling you. When you’re 20 years old, you’re still responsible for the team that you employ."
"I know pundits have to do that, but it’s really not helpful for young players, in particular, who maybe are not able to block that out and trust their coaches. If any of the younger British players ever want to talk to me privately, I would always do that."
Popular News
Just In
Loading