EMMA RADUCANU defended her decision to snub mixed doubles with Andy Murray as she bowed out of Wimbledon singles.
The Brit, 21, withdrew from a Box Office pairing with Murray, 37, on Saturday night after waking up with a stiff right wrist.
She feels it was the right call to quit the doubles even though it meant Murray’s Wimbledon career was over.
This evening she lost 6-2 5-7 6-2 to New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun in the last 16 – the final Brit to exit the two singles draws.
Raducanu said: “I just woke up with a bit of a stiff wrist.
“With the balls being quite heavy in the grass, it’s just something I have to manage. I just had to prioritise my singles and my body.
“I don’t think it was a mistake because I was feeling fine.
“It was the right decision. I stand by the decision. It was a tough decision because it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.
“Andy was obviously disappointed because it’s his last match. What a champion.
“I think that hopefully he’ll play in the Olympics and have another farewell there.”
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The late withdrawal from the mixed doubles first-round tie, despite agreeing to the idea last Tuesday, divided opinion in tennis circles.
Judy Murray received flak when she responded to one X post by saying “Yes, astonishing…”
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She also took to Instagram and shared an LTA post quoting Serena Williams – Murray’s 2019 Wimbledon mixed doubles partner – saying: “Playing mixed doubles by your side was one of the highlights of my life”.
On Sunday, Judy tried to clarify her intentions behind the messages, saying: “Not sure anyone understands sarcasm these days.
“Pretty sure the scheduling (4th match Court 1 with a singles following day) will have played a major part in any decision making.”
Raducanu responded: “I hadn’t seen Judy’s reaction. I’m sure she didn’t mean it.
“I think with every decision, people are entitled to their opinions. Of course, there was a bit of a cloud around the decision.
“I don’t think I would have done it any other way. I think in this sport especially, as an individual, you have to make your own calls and prioritise yourself.
“Especially with my history, I just had to put myself first.”
Nineteen Brits entered the first round last Monday and Tuesday but disappointingly none of them have survived into the second week.
The wildcard said: “It was a difficult match. I gave it my best, I fought really hard.
“I’ve been managing a stiff back since Saturday. I think it was just exaggerated today.
“I was feeling it during the match. I think especially on serve it was affecting me a bit.
“I just need to take the lessons that I can from it, watch it back, improve and keep going.
“Six months ago when I was starting out after surgery, I would have signed for the fourth round at Wimbledon. Of course I’m disappointed. Of course I want more.
“I think everything does happen for a reason. It just fuels the fire and makes me more hungry.”
PRIZE MONEY for the 2024 Wimbledon Championships is a new record – and puts the grass-court Slam at the top of the tree.
The All England Club will dish out £50million across all the events – an increase of £5.3m and 11.9 per cent on last year, where singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova picked up £2.35m each.
However, the king and queen of grass this July will collect an extra £350,000 – taking the winner’s earnings to £2.7m.
Here is the breakdown for the 2024 Wimbledon singles prize money:
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