Emma Raducanu: Former US Open champion feared 'bad blood' with Andy Murray after Wimbledon withdrawal | Tennis News


Emma Raducanu has admitted she feared “bad blood” with Andy Murray after bowing out of Wimbledon in the mixed doubles.

The Scot was denied a final match at the All England Club last summer when Raducanu withdrew ahead of their first round, citing wrist pain.

Murray was understandably very disappointed, and the anger overshadowed Radučanu's run to the fourth round of the singles, her best in a Grand Slam since her US Open victory.

Britain's Emma Raducanu celebrates after defeating Amanda Anisimova of the United States in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
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Raducan fell five times and made five double faults, but still showed a lot of courage during the victory against Amanda Anisimova

So the 22-year-old was especially happy that Murray congratulated her after her Australian Open second round win against Amanda Anisimova on Thursdaywhich led to a conflict with Igo Swiatek.

I sent him a long message afterwards saying I'm sorry if I caused any problems, I guess, at Wimbledon, that's definitely the last thing I want,” Raducanu said.

“He's someone I grew up looking up to and I don't want any bad blood or hard feelings towards him. I sent him a long message and he took it really well and said he was disappointed but understood.

“Now we're fine. We pass each other and say, 'hello', 'well done'. It's obviously very cool to see him and Novak (Djokovic) here.”

Novak Djokovic, left, of Serbia talks with his coach Andy Murray during their first round match against Nises Basavaredi of the United States at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake )
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Murray is now focused on coaching Novak Djokovic as the Serbian looks to win a record 25th Grand Slam title in Melbourne

While Murray is now the focus off the court as he helps Novak Djokovic try to win more Grand Slam titles, Raducan is determined not to let any outside negativity affect her.

She has had to get used to a lot of buzz going around since her breakthrough in New York, and she said in her press conference after her 6-3 7-5 win over Anisimova: “I think this year I'm just getting closer to it. holistically in the sense that I have only good people around me, with a positive outlook.

“Anything that doesn't necessarily serve me, I'm pretty wild in terms of just prioritizing and focusing. Anything that wants to try and affect that, I don't have time for that. No hate. I just don't want to. Kind of let it in.”

This was another powerful display from Radučanu, who showed the intelligence to blunt the powerful weapon of Anisimova, one of her close friends on the tour.

However, there were concerns about the state of Raducanu's back, as the British No. 2 called for a trainer early in the second set after experiencing discomfort.

Her preparations for the new season have been disrupted by a back spasm which forced her to withdraw from the Auckland tournament earlier this month.

Raducanu hopes she hasn't made the problem worse, saying, “I haven't fully explored it yet.”

“I think that's almost to be expected when you haven't played a match in so long and then you have two really physical ones. I think there's going to be little niggles here and there. I just hope that's the case. That.

“I was able to overcome some pain today, but I'll just try to recover as well as possible over the next day.”

What's coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?

ABN AMRO Open Rotterdam (ATP 500) – February 3-9

Dallas Open (ATP 500) – February 3-9

Delray Beach Open (ATP 250) – February 10-16

IEB+ Argentina Open (ATP 250) – February 10-16

Open 13 Provence (ATP 250) – February 10-16

Transylvania Open (WTA 250) – February 3-9

Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (WTA 500) – February 3-8

Qatar TotalEnergies Open (WTA 1000) – 9.-15. February

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (WTA 1000) – February 16-22

It was Raducan's first time into the third round in Melbourne and she nodded after several key points to show her mental strength.

“If Katie Bolter saw that, she might speak up,” he told Raducan with a smile. “I think she's the OG in that case. We have a good relationship, so I'm sure she won't mind me using it in the clutch moments. But I was very difficult.”

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream from NOW and The Sky Sports appgiving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Learn more here.



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