Emma Raducanu speaks out on Andy Murray controversy six months after her shock combined doubles withdrawal ended his Wimbledon farewell
Emma Raducanu has revealed that she reached out to apologise to Andy Murray over her controversial withdrawal from their mixed doubles partnership in the Scot’s final Wimbledon last year.
‘I didn’t want any bad blood or harsh feelings,’ she said, before adding with a smile: ‘I hope he doesn’t hate me too much!’
On the morning of their first match together at Wimbledon Raducanu pulled out, citing the need to protect a sore wrist ahead of her fourth-round singles match.
That unleashed a wave of social media criticism – including from Murray’s mother Judy, who described the decision as ‘astonishing’.
The subject came up here in Melbourne after Raducanu reached the third round of the Australian Open for the first time, and she said: ‘Afterwards I sent him a long message apologising if I caused any trouble at Wimbledon, that’s definitely the last thing I want.
‘He’s someone I’ve grown up looking up to and I don’t want any bad blood or harsh feelings with him. I sent him a long message and he took it really well and responded saying he was disappointed but he understood. We’re fine now. We walk past each other and say “hello”, “well done”.’
Emma Raducanu (pictured) has revealed that she reached out to apologise to Andy Murray
Andy Murray’s (L) Wimbledon career ended when Raducanu withdrew from the mixed doubles
The 22-year-old Brit admitted she had some regrets over how things played out last summer
Raducanu suggested she had some regrets over how the whole saga played out.
‘I really wanted to (smooth things over),’ said the 22-year-old. ‘I can’t turn back time and do things differently, that’s in the past. All I can do is evaluate that and learn going forwards.
‘I wanted to take the initiative because growing up he was one of my idols, and he still is. He’s someone I respect a lot and I didn’t want any negative tension in the air because I’m going to see him around. I just didn’t want that. It didn’t feel right, so I texted him and he replied and it was a really nice message. So I’m glad I did that and I hope he doesn’t hate me too much!’
The pair ran into each other at Melbourne Park on Thursday after Raducanu had beaten her good friend Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-5 to set up a third-round clash with world No2 Iga Swiatek on Saturday.
‘I saw Andy today and he said well done and congratulated me,’ said the world No 60. ‘That was really nice. He’s someone I look up to a lot so it’s good to have that pat on the back from him.
‘It’s really cool seeing him with Novak here as well. Two great champions and they’re together, it’s pretty awesome.’
It was certainly an unfortunate episode, as Raducanu’s withdrawal effectively ended Murray’s Wimbledon career. It was a ruthless call from the British No2 and, while it is commonplace for players going well in singles to withdraw from doubles duty, this was clearly different. Raducanu probably should not have said yes in the first place unless it was a cast-iron commitment, but she got carried away by the opportunity to be the partner in Murray’s last dance.
Murray’s mother Judy labelled the 22-year-old’s controversial decision as ‘astonishing’
Anyway, it seems to be water under the bridge now; there is no rift between the most famous names in British tennis and it can be chalked up as another lesson in the never-dull career of Raducanu.
The issue arose during a discussion about how Raducanu deals with negative publicity and she replied that she is learning how to block things out.
‘I’m approaching it quite holistically, I would say, in the sense of just having good people around me, having a positive outlook,’ she said.
‘Anything that’s not necessarily serving me, I’m pretty savage in terms of just prioritizing myself and focusing. Anything that wants to try and affect that, I don’t have time for it. No hate, I just don’t want to let that in.’
