Wimbledon 2024: Murray & Radacanu Team Up For Mixed Doubles

Wimbledon 2024 is well underway at SW19, with visitors successfully queuing overnight to snag their centre court tickets. Who else is in the crowd? And what are the headlines from our beloved British players? We’ve got the latest.

© AELTC/Chloe Knott

Murray & Radacanu Unite For Mixed Doubles

Thur 4 July: It was excitingly revealed yesterday that budding Brit Emma Radacanu and national treasure Andy Murray will team up for the Mixed Doubles after bagging a wildcard entry. According to Murray, the duo had discussed playing together as long ago as 2020, and Radacanu jumped at the chance, accepting his offer in 10 seconds, which she called ‘an honour’.

‘I got asked, and in literally 10 seconds I was like, “Yeah”,’ Radacanu told The Guardian. ‘For me, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It has been a dream of mine since I was a young girl watching the Olympics. At the end of my life, I know I’m going to have that memory of playing Wimbledon with Andy Murray on a home slam. Hopefully I can learn a thing or two about coming to the net.

‘I really don’t want to let him down,’ she added. ‘I’m going to be on my best form, ­­trying hard. And I’ll probably be more ­nervous for that than the singles.’

The news follows Radacanu’s unfettered triumph against Belgian seed Elise Mertens, prompting bookies to consider whether Radacanu might just show her face in the Semi Final. Next, the 21-year-old will play Greece’s Maria Sakkari, who is ranked ninth in the world. Back at her career-best performance at the 2021 US Open, Radacanu beat Sakkari in straight sets. ‘I’m expecting a really tough match,’ she said regardless. ‘[Sakkari is] top 10 in the world, so it’s going to be a really difficult one.’

Source: The Guardian

More Headlines From Wimbledon 2024

Katie Boulter & Jack Draper Off To A Winning Start

Wed 3 July: Our British No.1 tennis players both triumphed in their respective matches last night, interestingly setting up two all-British clashes in the coming days.

Boulter had a gruelling two-hour and 7 minute encounter with German player Tatjana Maria, while Draper battled it out with Swedish player Mikael Ymer for three hours and 17 minutes. Next, both Brits will face two more Brits: Boulter versus Harriet Dart, and Draper versus former British number one Cam Norrie, who he recently knocked off the British top spot.

Boulter and Dart join Emma Radacanu, Lily Miyazaki and Sonay Kartal to mark the first time that five British women have reached Wimbledon’s second round since 1987. Is a new golden era of British tennis just beginning?

Andy Murray Pulls Out Of Men’s Singles

Tues 2 July: Our former British tennis number one has sadly pulled out of the Men’s Singles in what was meant to be his final showing at Wimbledon. Andy Murray underwent back surgery just 10 days ago, and unfortunately has not recovered sufficiently enough to play. Over the last few days, the tennis star has been spotted grimacing during training as he grappled to battle through the pain.

‘Unfortunately, despite working incredibly hard on his recovery since his operation just over a week ago, Andy has taken the very difficult decision not to play the singles this year,’ his representatives said in a statement. ‘As you can imagine, he is extremely disappointed but has confirmed that he will be playing in the doubles with Jamie and looks forward to competing at Wimbledon for the last time.’ 

So all is not lost. Spot Murray playing alongside his older brother at Wimbledon’s Gentlemen’s Doubles which commence on Wednesday (3 July); Andy and Jamie’s first match is against the American duo Rinky Hijikata and John Peers.

Sir David Attenborough Arrives To Standing Ovation

Mon 1 July: This 98-year-old national treasure beamed when his arrival at Wimbledon yesterday prompted a standing ovation. Dressed in a blue suit with a pair of binoculars in hand, the legendary broadcaster could be seen mouthing ‘thank you’ to the audience as he squeezed past an also-smiling David Beckham into his seat in the Royal Box, settling in to watch Spain’s reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz take on Estonia’s Mark Lajal. Also in the Royal Box were stars including Katherine Jenkins, Jamie Cullum and Alexander Armstrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUgVnIDbbLU

Emma Radacanu Is Back With A Bang

This burgeoning tennis star shone bright in 2021 when she unexpectedly won the 2021 US Open – only the second major tournament of her career. Riddled with injuries since then, undergoing both hand and foot surgery, we’ve been desperate to see the star back on home turf, and our dreams have finally been answered.

Back in 2022, Raducanu was knocked out of Wimbledon in the second round, so thought of herself as a ‘complete underdog’ going into the 2024 tournament – which, ranked 135th, she was given a wildcard spot for. The now 21-year-old triumphed in a testing first-round battle against Mexican Renata Zarazua, reportedly using England’s dramatic 2–1 Euros comeback against Slovakia as inspiration. ‘I was nervous,’ she told the BBC. ‘I think everyone could see that in my tennis, but at the end of the day you have to do whatever it takes to get over the line.

‘Honestly, watching the football last night, it was winning ugly – it all counts,’ she added.

Source: BBC Sport