Andy Murray’s storied Wimbledon career apparently is over.
He was scheduled to play mixed doubles with fellow Brit Emma Raducanu, but she pulled out of the pairing Saturday — hours before their scheduled match — citing a wrist issue.
By tournament rules, Murray is not allowed to play with a replacement partner.
Raducanu, 21, advanced to the Round of 16 on Friday in women’s singles with her straight-set defeat of No. 9 seed Maria Sakkari of Greece.
“Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist this morning, so therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight,” Raducanu said through the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).
“I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care.”
A two-time men’s singles champion at Wimbledon, Murray was unable to compete in singles this year because of recent back surgery. But he felt fit enough to commit to mixed doubles with Raducanu and men’s doubles with his brother, Jamie, and play again at Wimbledon before his expected retirement.
The Murrays lost Thursday to Australians John Peers and Rinky Hijikata 7-6 (6), 6-4. And while Wimbledon said a rousing goodbye in an emotional on-court ceremony, fans had hoped to see Murray, 37, at least one more time.
Raducanu is seeking her second career Grand Slam — and second career — victory. She won the U.S. Open in 2021 and is scheduled to play New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun on Sunday in the singles play.
Murray said after Thursday’s match that injuries had taken their toll and he was prepared to wind down his pro career.
“It’s been hard for all of us, the injuries have been tough — and quite significant — and we’ve worked extremely hard to be competing. Maybe not at the level that we would have wanted, but we tried,” he said.
“I would love to keep playing but I can’t. Physically it’s too tough. All the injuries haven’t been insignificant. I want to play forever, I love the sport. It’s given me so much. I don’t want to stop so it is hard.”
–Field Level Media
