Emma Raducanu has dominated the headlines of late, but unfortunately, not for her strong performances at Wimbledon.
Instead, her mini-feud with Judy Murray has been a real point of interest for tennis fans, with most being split down the middle on this topic.
Having pulled out of the singles, and played his men’s doubles with brother Jamie Murray, it seemed like we had seen the last of Andy Murray at Wimbledon.
He had been given his tearful send-off, and everyone had accepted that that would be that
Until, Raducanu confirmed she would play mixed doubles with Murray, much to the delight of everyone.
At least one more match for the legendary Scotsman in SW19… until the 21-year-old quickly had to pull out.
Tennis fans react as Emma Raducanu responds to Judy Murray
Citing stiffness in her wrist, and with a Round of 16 match with Lulu Sun just around the corner, Raducanu was justifiably scared of hampering her progress in the far more lucrative ladies’ singles.
So, she had to deliver the bad news that Murray’s Wimbledon career was over because of her decision.
Some labelled the Great British star selfish, whilst others understood how her priorities would be.
Judy Murray took aim at Raducanu though, with a sarcastic post describing her decision as ‘astonishing’.
When asked about it following her loss to Sun yesterday, the youngster was mature in her response: ‘I haven’t seen her reaction, I don’t know. What was she sarcastic… I’m sure she didn’t mean it.’
Tennis fans have reacted accordingly.
One supporter praised her calmness in the face of such awkward questioning: ‘Why is Emma more mature than everyone else involved in tennis?’
Another then theorised what might have happened had she played: ‘Imagine if she had played with Andy Murray to please his mother and slipped over like she did yesterday no last16 match’.
Judy Murray was in the wrong with her Andy Murray Wimbledon claims
Given how much of an advocate she has been for tennis, specifically women’s tennis, throughout her time involved with the sport, it was sad to see her take aim at Raducanu.
Especially when it was so obvious why she had done what she did.
Her own career has to always take priority, no matter how legendary Murray is, and even the 37-year-old himself would have admitted that.
This time last year she was preparing to endure double wrist surgery, so to feel some stiffness surely merits precautionary measures.
Judy Murray has since explained her Raducanu comments, but the damage is already done.
Fortunately, at least one of the two was mature enough to quash the spat.
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