Emma Raducanu defended her controversial decision that ended Andy Murray’s Wimbledon career by withdrawing from the mixed doubles match on the eve of her fourth round singles defeat against Lulu Sun. Raducanu was scheduled to play former Wimbledon champion Murray on Saturday, but chose to withdraw from the tie due to a stiff wrist. The 2021 US Open champion wanted to avoid worsening the problem ahead of Sunday’s 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 loss to New Zealand qualifiers Sun on Center Court.
But the move provoked criticism as it dashed Murray’s hopes of a final appearance at the All England Club.
The two-time Wimbledon champion was unable to play in the men’s singles match because he was not fully recovered from spinal cyst surgery, while he lost in the first round of the men’s doubles alongside brother Jamie.
Murray was disappointed by Raducanu’s withdrawal, while the former world number one’s mother Judy described the move as “surprising” in X, although she later stated she was being sarcastic and understood the 21-year-old’s decision. years.
Asked if she regretted the move that ruined Murray’s Wimbledon farewell, Raducanu said: “Yesterday morning I woke up stiff.
“Of course I didn’t want to take away his last game. But at the end of the day I think a lot of players in a similar situation would have done the same thing, prioritizing their body.
“I stand by the decision. Yes, it was obviously a difficult decision.”
Murray is now set to play for the final time of his career at the Paris Olympics, which begin at the end of July.
‘Put myself first’
“People are entitled to their opinions. Of course, there was some doubt surrounding the decision,” she said.
“I think especially in this sport, as an individual, you have to make your own decisions and prioritize yourself. Especially with my story, I just had to put myself first.
“Obviously disappointed because it’s his last match. But, yeah, what a champion. I guess I hope he plays in the Olympics and gets another send-off there.”
Responding to Murray’s mother, Raducanu added: “I didn’t see her reaction, so I don’t know. Was she sarcastic? I’m sure she didn’t mean it.”
Raducanu arrived at Wimbledon in fine form after a dark period since her fairytale triumph as an 18-year-old at the US Open.
But she still needed a wild card to enter the singles after falling out of the top 100, making it difficult for her to imagine the eventual scheduling conflict between the singles and mixed doubles matches.
“I think going into the tournament I didn’t expect to get to the fourth round. So for me, it was a no-brainer. I would have loved to have played with him,” she said.
“He didn’t ask me, ‘If you’re still in singles, are you going to play?’ That was never a question to be answered.”
Ironically, Raducanu suffered further injuries in his loss to Sun, as back and ankle problems played a major role in his exit in the round of 16.
Despite the frustrating end to her Wimbledon season, Raducanu finally rediscovered her passion for the sport.
“Honestly, it just makes me more determined. I think I’ve really put myself first over the last few weeks. Tennis is the only thing that really takes up my time, my mind. It’s all I really want to do,” she said.
“I think the desire and the fire are back. I just want to keep developing that.”
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