Emma Raducanu has claimed Andy Murray is already “old news” at the start of a new era in British tennis after the Scottish legend.
The former world No.1, Britain’s greatest ever player, said an emotional farewell at his final Grand Slam at Wimbledon last month before retiring at the Olympics.
Murray had hoped to play a last mixed doubles match in SW19 with his fellow US Open champion but Raducanu pulled out citing a wrist injury. Judy Murray branded Raducanu’s late withdrawal “astonishing”.
And the world No.71 suggested her relationship with the double Olympic and Wimbledon winner is still strained by stating that the sport has quickly moved on from Murray.
The Bromley-based star, one of six British players in the singles at the US Open starting tomorrow, (Monday) said: “No it doesn’t feel different (without Murray) at all. Tennis is unforgiving in that sense. No matter who you are, it just moves on. There is always another match, there is always another tournament.
Of course Andy has achieved amazing things and I watched him win this tournament but it is a fast pace, just like life is. It’s old news the next day kind of thing.
“I think the Brits are doing really well right now. I think overall, we are all kinda pushing each other, we are all competitive. You see other ones doing well and you want to do the same. I think there are a lot more guys in qualifying this year which is really cool.
“Because when I came three years ago, there were barely any players. Now I feel there are a lot more who have chances to do well even in the main.”
Raducanu made her own history here in 2021 by becoming the first ever qualifier to win a Grand Slam. Time and the tennis world has also moved on for her. Raducanu was relegated to the small Room 2 for her pre-tournament press conference with only one non-British journalist in attendance.
Her 2022 defence ended in the first round and she did not play last year following wrist and ankle surgeries.
I feel a lot better coming back,” she said. “I feel very proud when I come here. Walking past my photo every day. Walking past my name on the trophy every day. I come back now with such a different outlook. Just joy and pride and it inspires me to want to do more.
“When I defended the title, I would say I was a lot more nervous and I think I felt pressure more. I think overall now I am in a much more solid and consistent state than I was when I came back last time.”
That has still not stopped her attracting more controversy this summer by skipping the Olympics and then not entering qualifying in Toronto or Cincinnati.
“The Olympics is something that you really want to be a part of when you see everyone at the Opening Ceremony,” she said
Seeing that part, yes, I missed out. But I still stand by the decision to focus on the hardcourt swing. It was just the smartest decision and I don’t really regret it.”
The Bromley-based star has played only one event since Wimbledon when she reached the quarter-finals in Washington before flying back to the UK.
Raducanu, who faces fellow Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin in the first round, said: “I don’t think I will ever be the player who is playing close to 30 events a year.
“It is not my style – it never has been. I am not in any big rush to play loads. I would rather target tournaments and be ready to play the tournaments that I am entered in.
