 "Andy Murray could not get the Wimbledon farewell he wanted because Emma Raducanu withdrew from the mixed doubles match. Images: Reuters/AP")
British tennis star Andy Murray has finally opened up on his relationship with Emma Raducanu, after the 2021 US Open champion’s last-minute pull-out resulted in a premature retirement from Grand Slams for Murray. The 2024 Wimbledon was Murray’s last Grand Slam, where he suffered a first-round exit in the men’s doubles, partnering with his brother Jamie.
Murray, who has two Wimbledon and one US Open titles, was also scheduled to play in mixed doubles with Raducanu, but he was denied the opportunity to bid farewell in the way he wanted due to a last-minute pull-out by the British No 1.
Raducanu’s withdrawal was labelled as “astonishing” by Murray’s mother Judy on X (formerly Twitter). However, she later clarified that it was a sarcastic comment.
Murray speaks on relationship with Raducanu
Murray has now finally revealed that while it was “tough” for him to not finish his Grand Slam career in the way it happened, he has managed to clear things up with Raducanu.
“We exchanged multiple messages since Wimbledon, and things were fine after we cleared everything up,” Murray told The Times.
“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.”
He also defended Raducanu not managing to win any Grand Slam since the breakout at the US Open in 2021. She is the first British woman to win a Grand Slam since 1977, but her best result since then has been fourth round at Wimbledon 2024.
“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,” Murray said.
“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.
“If you’ve got an ex-British No 1 or an ex-world No 1 saying they don’t agree with how you hit your forehand or the strategy you use in matches, it can be a bit undermining.
“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.”
Raducanu was Thursday knocked out of the Korea Open at the last 16 stage by Barbora Krejcikova.