Emma Raducanu has been told her withdrawal from mixed doubles with Andy Murray was akin to Rishi Sunak leaving D-Day commemorations early during the General Election campaign. The British tennis star was due to play alongside Murray in what was set to be his final match at SW19, but she withdrew citing a stiff wrist.
It meant that Murray’s Wimbledon swansong was instead the doubles match he played with brother Jamie last Thursday. The two-time Wimbledon champion was given an emotional farewell on Centre Court.
GB News presenter Anne Diamond is furious with Raducanu, claiming she has snubbed the ‘King of Wimbledon’ and insists she is no longer supporting the 21-year-old. Diamond compared the decision to former prime minister Sunak leaving Normandy early while D-Day commemorations were still ongoing earlier this summer.
“I’m shattered by it, I really am,” said Diamond.
Just speaking as a fan, I was really looking forward to it. I also see it as a giant snub from a young girl, who has got a future ahead of her, yes, but he is the king of Wimbledon.
I’m not rooting for her anymore. I’m so sorry, I was yesterday.
“I was so keen and absolutely behind her, and now this. To me, this is like Rishi Sunak going back from the D-Day beaches early. I think it’s unforgivable.”
Raducanu and Murray were due to play late on Saturday, the evening before the 2021 US Open champion was due back on court for her fourth-round clash with Lulu Sun. She had the chance to reach the tournament’s quarter-final for the first time in her career, but went on to lose in three sets.
Last year, Raducanu underwent three separate surgeries on her wrists and ankle. A difficult battle back to full fitness has seen her finally climb back into the top 100.
Following criticism of her decision to withdraw from her mixed doubles match with Murray, Raducanu hit back and insisted that many other players would have prioritised their wellbeing when put in the same position.
It was a very difficult decision. Of course, I didn’t want to take his last match away from him,” Raducanu said after her defeat by Sun.
“But at the end of the day I think a lot of the players in a similar situation would have done the same thing, prioritising their body. I still stand by making the right call.
“Obviously he was disappointed because it’s his last match. But, yeah, what a champion. I think that hopefully he’ll play in the Olympics and have another farewell there.
