Andy Murray revealed he hasn’t spoken to Emma Raducanu since she curtailed his Wimbledon farewell earlier this month – but insisted he is not ‘bitter’ about her decision to pull out of the mixed doubles.
The former world No 1, who will retire after the Olympics, had intended to sign off on his career at SW19 by playing with Raducanu, only for the 21-year-old to abandon the plan in favour of nursing a minor injury during her run to the last 16 in the singles.
That prompted a public backlash against Raducanu, with Murray’s mother, Judy, also describing the situation as ‘astonishing’. Speaking at Team GB’s base in Paris, Murray defended his mother’s reaction, but said he had no ‘issue’ with Raducanu.
‘Everyone is going to look out for their best interests and what it is that they do,’ said Murray. ‘I understand that and I don’t have an issue with that.
‘I haven’t spoken to her since we chatted on the phone, when she told me she wasn’t going to play.’
Asked about his mother’s social media response to Raducanu’s withdrawal, Murray, who is set to snub the singles and will play only the doubles here with Dan Evans, said: ‘I think that it’s always important in situations like this to remember that at that moment everyone is really emotional because it’s the end of me playing at Wimbledon.
‘She’s my mum, so she obviously cares a lot about me and has been a huge part of my career. Everyone’s emotions are obviously running high. My mum’s obviously always going to support me and look out for my best interests. She’s been my best supporter.’
Murray added: ‘Getting to finish playing at Wimbledon on Centre Court with my brother (Jamie, in the doubles) was unbelievably special. That obviously wasn’t how I’d planned it. That’s how it ended up and I’m really happy about that. I’m not frustrated or bitter about it. I’m happy that I got to finish playing at Wimbledon with my brother.’
