Andy Murray won the Wimbledon men’s singles in 2013 and 2016 but his career in recent years has been marred by injuries. He now has one final event left at the Paris Olympics this summer before retiring.
By Kieren Williams, news reporter
Andy Murray’s Wimbledon career is over as Emma Raducanu has pulled out of their mixed doubles match.
There had been great anticipation of two of Britain’s most high-profile tennis players teaming up.
It would have given Murray one final swansong at home before he retires later this summer.
They were scheduled to play Zhang Shuai and Marcelo Arevalo in the fourth match on Court One, on Saturday.
But Raducanu, 21, was forced to withdraw several hours before.
In a statement, she 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 [I’ve] got to take care.”
Murray is reportedly not permitted to name a replacement in the mixed doubles due to tournament rules.
The Scot was said to be absolutely devastated to miss out on his final match, according to PA.
He made the late decision to ask Raducanu to play mixed doubles on Tuesday evening as he hoped to prolong his final Wimbledon and was excited about the opportunity.
The 37-year-old was knocked out of the men’s doubles, with brother Jamie, earlier this week and had previously ruled himself out of the men’s singles competition.
His career was celebrated on Centre Court on Thursday after the loss.
Murray insisted afterwards that he wouldn’t have a change of heart, saying: “I know that it’s time now.
“I’m ready for that.”
The star was offered a message of support by the Princess of Wales, who is famously a tennis fan and has been a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) since 2016.
Kensington Palace posted on X: “An incredible #Wimbledon career comes to an end. You should be so very proud @andy_murray. On behalf of us, thank you! C.”
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He will head off on a family holiday before preparing for the final event of his career at this summer’s Paris Olympics, where he is entered in singles and doubles with Dan Evans.
Murray’s mum, Judy Murray described the decision by Raducanu to pull out as “astonishing” on X.
It comes as Raducanu has started the women’s singles competition at Wimbledon well this year.
She won in straight-sets over ninth seed Maria Sakkari on Friday and will next face Lulu Sun in the last 16.
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Now, Raducanu must hope the problem does not derail her Wimbledon run.
Thankfully, her discomfort does not appear to be too serious, as the 2021 US Open champion was seen training at Wimbledon on Saturday – although she was pictured looking uncomfortable.
USA’s Rajeev Ram and Katie Volynets have replaced Murray and Raducanu in the mixed doubles.