"Have to do a crash course in doubles" - Emma Raducanu aims to follow Andy Murray's lead for Wimbledon 2024 mixed doubles outing
Emma Raducanu has spoken up about following Andy Murray when the duo pair up for their mixed doubles outing at the ongoing 2024 Wimbledon Championships. Raducanu and Murray are set to face Zhang Shuai and Marcelo Arevalo in the second round of the mixed doubles event at the prestigious grasscourt Major on Saturday, July 6.
Raducanu was in third-round singles action against No. 9 seed Maria Sakkari on Friday, July 5. The Brit produced a stellar display against the Greek, as she regularly broke the latter's serve and saved several break points to win the match 6-2, 6-3 and progress to the fourth round.
After her win over Sakkari, Raducanu was asked about her thoughts on partnering the legendary Murray. The 2021 US Open champion, who lacks doubles experience, said that she would look to the former ATP World No. 1 for direction and "follow his lead". Raducanu also hilariously suggested that she has to a "crash course in doubles" prior to stepping out on the court with Murray.
"I'll just take direction, follow his lead. I think I have to do a crash course in doubles tonight but I'll have fun tomorrow regardless and of course I'll cherish the opportunity because it's such an honor," Raducanu said during her post-match, on-court interview.
"I love playing on the big courts" - Emma Raducanu on home pressure with Andy Murray moving on
Emma Raducanu attended a press conference following her third-round win over Sakkari. At the presser, the former WTA World No. 10 was asked about her approach to dealing with British tennis fans' expectations now that Murray has confirmed that he will not be playing singles after the Olympics.
The 2021 US Open champion said that she thrived under pressure and also expressed her happiness that she has home support behind her at the ongoing Championships.
"I love playing on the big courts. I thrive in such occasions, on big stages. It’s something I play tennis for. I love the feeling of it. Competing. Especially here in front of a home crowd. On the pressure side you can flip it. I have a packed center court who are all rooting for me to win. It really felt like that today and it felt like that in my last two matches. So for me I feel happy that that many people are behind me," Raducanu said.
After her mixed doubles outing with Andy Murray, Emma Raducanu will turn her attention to her singles fourth-round clash against Lulu Sun on Sunday, July 7. The winner of the match will play either Paula Badosa or Donna Vekic in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.