Wimbledon drama takes fresh twist as Judy Murray speculates real reason behind Emma Raducanu's withdrawal
Judy Murray has spoken out again
GETTY
Judy Murray has attempted to downplay her initial response to Emma Raducau withdrawing from Wimbledon's mixed doubles as 'sarcasm' and suggesting the All England Club's schedule for Saturday was largely to blame.
Andy Murray was given a touching tribute on Centre Court earlier this week after he lost in the men's doubles alongside brother Jamie.
A video montage looking back at his career was shown around the screens with Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova among those to give him a guard of honour.
Tears were shed as he admitted it felt like an 'ending', but Murray was still scheduled to play in one more event before bidding a final farewell to Wimbledon.
He had teamed up with Raducanu in a late entry to the mixed doubles and their match was scheduled last on Court One on Saturday.
Judy Murray has spoken out again
GETTY
But Raducanu pulled out of the match on Saturday morning, citing stiffness in her wrist.
The 21-year-old underwent surgery on both her wrists little over 12 months ago and it kept her out of action until the start of 2024.
She said: "I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but I've got to take care."
Her withdrawal inadvertently meant that Murray's Wimbledon career had been brought to an abrupt end.
Soon after the announcement, Murray's mother caused a stir on social media when she published a blunt response.
In a post describing Raducanu's decision as 'astonishing', Judy replied: "Yes, astonishing."
Her comments caused a frenzy online with some taking her side while others felt Raducanu was right to put herself first.
She locked her account on X before reactivating her profile and issuing a new statement with replies switched off.
Judy appeared to indicate she felt Raducanu's decision to withdraw was largely due to the match being scheduled so late on Saturday.
“Not sure anyone understands sarcasm these days," she posted.
"Pretty sure the scheduling (4th match court 1 with a singles following day) will have played a major part in any decision making.”
Andy Murray has played his last game at Wimbledon
REUTERS
Raducanu is still in the singles draw and faces qualifier Lulu Sun for a place in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon.
It's the furthest she had gone in a Grand Slam tournament since going all the way and winning the 2021 US Open.
With the mixed doubles match against Murray originally being scheduled last on Court One, there was a chance that she wouldn't have finished until late into the night.
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
Emma Raducanu pulled out of her match with stiffness in her wrist
GETTY
But part of the reason for Raducanu and Murray being scheduled so late was seemingly due to one of their opponents - Marcelo Arevalo - still needing to finish his own men's doubles match.
Rain delays have affected play on the outside courts and pushed back matches that were meant to be finished earlier in the week.
Arevalo and Mate Pavic were scheduled first on Court 8 to finish their men's doubles match and the All England Club are required to give players a few hours rest before scheduling them to play again.
You may like
