Sports stars in Wimbledon Royal Box will not see Murray and Raducanu

Sporting legends from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola to England cricketer Ben Stokes packed out the Royal Box at Wimbledon this afternoon.

British athlete Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and swimmer Adam Peaty with his girlfriend Holly Ramsay were also on Centre Court.

The stars, also including Lioness Leah Williamson and cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, were hoping to have the best seat in the house for Andy Murray‘s final Wimbledon match.

But they were left disappointed after his mixed doubles clash alongside Emma Raducanu was cancelled when she pulled out, citing stiffness in her right wrist.

There had been great anticipation about Britain’s two most high-profile players teaming up to give Murray a final swansong at the All England Club.

The duo were scheduled to play Zhang Shuai and Marcelo Arevalo in the fourth match on Court One this evening, but Raducanu withdrew in the afternoon.

The 21-year-old said in a statement: ‘Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist this morning, so therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight.

‘I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care.’

It means three-time grand-slam champion Murray’s distinguished Wimbledon career has now come to an end before he retires from the sport later this year.

Other sports stars in the Royal Box today included Welsh rugby union player Alun Wyn Jones and ice dancers Jayne Torville and Chris Dean.

Cyclists Jason and Laura Kenny were also there, as was ex-England football manager Roy Hodgson and athlete Dame Denise Lewis.

Also in the box were former rugby union player Lawrence Dallaglio, English golfer Charley Hull, Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis and British sailor Sir Ben Ainslie.

In addition, Spanish former tennis player Conchita Martinez, England cricketer Jos Buttler and his wife Louise, American former tennis player Peter Fleming and British athlete Kadeena Cox were there.

Welsh former rugby union player Sir Gareth Edwards and hockey players and married couple Helen Richardson-Walsh and Kate Richardson-Walsh were also seen.

Murray was honoured by the All England Club on Thursday with an emotional tribute after defeat in the men’s doubles with brother Jamie.

That came after he pulled out of the men’s singles at the last-minute on Tuesday, having eventually decided not to play just over a week after back surgery.

Murray and Raducanu had been set to face Marcelo Arevalo and Zhang Shuai today in the Scot’s last hurrah at Wimbledon this evening.

But the match has now been cancelled just hours before it was due to start.

Raducanu cited wrist soreness as the reason for her withdrawal after her dominant third round win over world number nine Maria Sakkari yesterday.

The decision to withdraw also means Raducanu’s run is now in jeopardy, with the 21-year-old winning all three of her matches so far in straight sets.

Raducanu said: ‘Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist this morning, so therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight.

‘I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care.’

Raducanu is due to play her fourth-round singles match tomorrow against Lulu Sun, and she is cautious about pushing her body too far having undergone surgery on both wrists and one ankle last year, keeping her out for eight months.

It will be a huge disappointment to ticket-holders and also to Murray, whose career was celebrated on Centre Court on Thursday after a first-round men’s doubles defeat alongside his brother Jamie.

The Scot insisted afterwards that there will be no change of heart, saying: ‘I know that it’s time now. I’m ready for that.’

He will head off on a family holiday before preparing for the final event of his career at the Olympics in Paris, where he is entered in singles and doubles with Dan Evans.

Raducanu, meanwhile, must hope the problem does not derail her Wimbledon run, with the 21-year-old now fancied to reach at least the quarter-finals.

There does not appear too much cause for alarm, with Raducanu hitting at the All England Club earlier today, although she was pictured looking uncomfortable.

The former US Open champion again wore an England shirt ahead of the Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Switzerland, which kicks off at 5pm today in Germany.

Among those commenting on the news was sports presenter Marcus Buckland, who tweeted: ‘Astonishing news that Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from her mixed doubles match with Andy Murray.

‘She’s citing soreness in her right wrist. It means Murray has played his last match at Wimbledon. Oh dear!’

Murray’s mother Judy Murray then responded to this, saying: ‘Yes, astonishing.’