Broadcaster Marcus Buckland says Emma Raducanu was right to be selfish amid the furore between the British star and Judy Murray.
Headlines were made over the weekend when Raducanu confirmed the decision to withdraw from her mixed doubles clash with Andy Murray – bringing an end to the two-time winner’s Wimbledon career before he was due for his long-awaited send-off.
Citing stiffness in her right wrist, presenter Buckland took to social media, saying: “Astonishing news that Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from her mixed doubles match with Andy Murray. She’s citing soreness in her right wrist.
“It means Murray has played his last match at Wimbledon. Oh dear!”
Responding to the post, Judy Murray said: “Yes, astonishing.”
Murray’s message went viral and on Sunday morning she clarified what she meant.
She wrote on X: “Not sure anyone understands sarcasm these days. Pretty sure the scheduling (fourth match court 1 with a singles following day) will have played a major part in any decision making.”
Speaking after her singles defeat on Sunday, Raducanu was asked if she was surprised by Murray’s reaction, and she responded: “I haven’t seen her reaction. So I don’t know.”
When told that she was sarcastic in her reaction, Raducanu added: “What was she sarcastic about?”
The reporter added: “She said it was astonishing.”
Raducanu replied: “I’m sure she didn’t mean it.”
So how does it feel to have inadvertently sparked the biggest furore in Wimbledon this year?
Buckland told Euro Gameday Warm-Up: “I inadvertently started this thing because on Saturday afternoon I was broadcasting and the news came through that she had pulled out.
“I tweeted ‘astonishing news’ and I was not passing judgement on whether Raducanu pulling out was the right decision or the wrong decision, it was just such a surprise a couple of days after she’d accepted the invitation.
“She was so excited about it and it did mean that Andy Murray had played his last ever match at Wimbledon – that’s why I used the word ‘astonishing’.
“Judy Murray then replied to my tweet and that created the maelstrom that has developed over the last couple of days.”
Buckland added: “Ultimately, this is an individual sport and you’ve got to do what is right for you.
“She’s had all sorts of injury problems and was suddenly putting together a run of results at a Grand Slam again so she had to do what is right – although I would say it was questionable to accept playing in the circumstances anyway.
“Decisions could have been made differently but ultimately, you’ve got to be selfish in an individual sport.”
News Summary:
- I inadvertently started Emma Raducanu and Judy Murray furore with ‘astonishing’ tweet
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.