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Andy Murray came out in support of his mother Judy as he addressed the furore over Emma Raducanu’s mixed doubles withdrawal at Wimbledon for the first time.
The former US Open champion’s acceptance of Murray’s offer and subsequent decision not to play, abruptly ending the Scot’s Wimbledon career, blew up into one of the biggest stories of the Championships.
And Judy was widely criticised for stoking the flames by branding Raducanu’s withdrawal “astonishing” on social media, a message she claimed the following day was sarcastic.
“At that moment, everyone’s really emotional because it’s the end of me playing at Wimbledon,” said Murray ahead of his final event at the Paris Olympics.
“I’m aware there’s a much bigger picture out there but she’s my mum so she obviously cares a lot about me, and it’s been a huge part of my career as well.
“What had happened in the 10 days in the build-up as well, I’d just had a surgery where I didn’t know if I was going to get the opportunity to play.
“Everyone’s emotions are obviously running high but my mum’s obviously always going to support me and look out for my best interests. She’s been the best supporter.”
I'm aware there's a much bigger picture out there but she's my mum so she obviously cares a lot about me, and it's been a huge part of my career as well— Andy Murray on his mother Judy
Murray was understood at the time to be devastated by Raducanu’s decision, which she attributed to a sore wrist, and he revealed the pair have not spoken since the 21-year-old informed him of her withdrawal.
The mixed doubles had been due to follow Murray’s appearance in men’s doubles alongside his brother Jamie, after which the All England Club staged a farewell ceremony on Centre Court.
While Murray did not offer any warm words towards Raducanu, saying merely that he understood players would look out for their own interests, he now reflects that things turned out for the best.
“What Wimbledon did was unbelievably nice, and getting to finish playing at Wimbledon on Centre Court with my brother was unbelievably special and something we’d never experienced during our careers,” he said.
“That obviously wasn’t how I’d planned it or thought exactly what was going to happen but that’s how it ended up. I’m not frustrated or bitter about it.
“Mentally I was preparing to play more matches but, when I reflect on that, it was right that I finished playing at Wimbledon with my brother and I’m really happy that was the end.”
There will be no awkwardness between the pair in the French capital, with Raducanu opting to skip the Olympics and play a WTA event in Washington next week.
