Rising British tennis star Emma Raducanu has revealed that she reached out to compatriot and tennis great Andy Murray following her withdrawal from their highly anticipated mixed doubles match at Wimbledon last year. The 21-year-old, who burst onto the scene by winning the 2022 US Open as a qualifier, pulled out of the marquee partnership just hours before they were set to take the court together, citing wrist stiffness ahead of her fourth-round singles match.
Speaking after her impressive second-round victory over close friend Amanda Anisimova at the 2025 Australian Open, Raducanu shared that she sent Murray a lengthy message in the aftermath of the Wimbledon incident to clear the air and ensure there was no lingering resentment between the two British icons.
“Afterwards I sent him a long message, basically: ‘If I caused any trouble I guess at Wimbledon, that’s definitely the last thing I want,'” Raducanu explained. “He’s someone that I’ve grown up looking up to and I don’t want any bad blood or harsh feelings with him.”
Murray’s Gracious Response Alleviates Concerns
Much to Raducanu’s relief, the three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 took the high road in his response, expressing his disappointment but also his understanding of her decision. “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’. It’s obviously really cool seeing him with Novak [Djokovic] here as well. Two great champions and they’re just together, it’s pretty awesome,” Raducanu said.
The last-minute withdrawal effectively ended Murray’s storied Grand Slam career, as the Wimbledon mixed doubles draw was viewed as his final opportunity to compete for a major title. The situation garnered significant attention during the tournament, particularly when Murray’s mother, Judy, called the move “astonishing” on social media, though she later clarified her comment as sarcasm and blamed the tournament’s scheduling for the unfortunate outcome.
Taking the Initiative to Make Amends
For Raducanu, who has consistently named Murray as one of her childhood idols and a major influence on her own career, it was crucial to take proactive steps to smooth over any potential tension and maintain a positive rapport with her fellow British tennis luminary.
“I really wanted to [smooth things over],” Raducanu emphasized. “Whether or not I can go back and turn back time and do things differently, that’s in the past. All I can do is kind of evaluate that and learn going forwards. And I wanted to take the initiative, because growing up, he was one of my idols, and he still is, with everything he’s achieved in the game, coming from the UK and the same system and everything.”
Recognizing the likelihood of crossing paths with Murray frequently on the tennis circuit, Raducanu felt it was imperative to clear the air and prevent any lingering awkwardness or animosity. “He’s someone I respect a lot, and I just didn’t want any negative tension in the air, more than anything, 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 like a really nice message. So I’m glad I did that and I just hope he doesn’t hate me too much.”
Murray’s Continued Support and Mentorship
In a testament to Murray’s character and his role as a mentor to the next generation of British tennis stars, the former world No. 1 made a point to congratulate Raducanu personally after her latest victory in Melbourne, further indicating that any potential rift has been successfully mended.
“I saw Andy today, and he said, ‘Well done’ and congratulated me. That was really nice,” Raducanu shared. “He’s someone that I look up to a lot. So it’s good to have that pat on the back from him.”
As Raducanu’s star continues to rise and she aims to build on her early career success, maintaining positive relationships with established champions like Murray will undoubtedly play a crucial role in her development both on and off the court. By taking the initiative to address the Wimbledon withdrawal directly and openly, Raducanu has demonstrated a level of maturity and professionalism that bodes well for her future in the sport.
With the air now cleared and Murray’s support firmly in her corner, Raducanu can focus on her next challenge at the Australian Open – a third-round clash with world No. 1 and top seed Iga Swiatek. As she continues to navigate the pressures and expectations that come with being a young phenom in the tennis world, Raducanu can take solace in knowing that she has the respect and backing of one of the sport’s most accomplished and respected figures in Andy Murray.
