"It's old news the next day" - Emma Raducanu makes blunt remark about not being impacted by Andy Murray's retirement in fast-paced tennis world
Ahead of her campaign at the 2024 US Open, Emma Raducanu addressed Andy Murray’s retirement. The fellow Brit made a blunt remark about the former World No. 1’s absence in New York.
Raducanu has commenced her preparations for the upcoming New York Slam, where she was the 2021 champion. The Brit will hope to carry on the momentum from her previous Grand Slam run—the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, where she reached the fourth round.
Ahead of her first-round match against Sofia Kenin at the US Open, Emma Raducanu answered a question about Andy Murray’s retirement, bluntly suggesting that she wasn't affected by the legend's absence.
"No, it doesn’t feel different at all. I think tennis is unforgiving in that sense no matter who you are. It just moves on. There’s always another match; there’s always another tournament," she said in her press conference.
Raducanu suggested that in a fast-paced sport like tennis, every event quickly becomes old news.
"Of course (Andy Murray’s) achieved amazing things and I watched him win this tournament (2012 US Open), but yeah, it’s a fast pace, just like life is. You know, it’s old news the next day kind of thing," she said.
Andy Murray retired from tennis at the Paris Olympics with a men’s doubles quarterfinal loss, partnering Dan Evans. Meanwhile, the three-time Grand Slam champion’s last match on the official tour came at the Wimbledon Championships, where he and his brother Jamie came up short in their first match. He was given a Center Court farewell following the loss.
Interestingly, Andy Murray was also scheduled to compete in mixed doubles at the Wimbledon Championships alongside Emma Raducanu, which would have been his final event at SW19. While the 21-year-old initially accepted the invitation, she pulled out after reaching the fourth round in singles, citing "wrist stiffness."
Raducanu courted controversy over her decision, with Murray’s mother, Judy, calling her no-show “astonishing,” only to dismiss her remark as “sarcasm” later on.
"Brits are doing very well right now" - Emma Raducanu on the new era after Andy Murray at US Open 2024
Emma Raducanu also commended her compatriots on their progress in recent months. Alongside the 21-year-old, Katie Boulter and Jack Draper (the British No.1s on the WTA and ATP tours, respectively) are two of the most in-form players.
"I think the Brits are doing very well right now. I think overall we’re all kind of pushing each other; we’re all competitive. You see other one’s doing well and you want to do the same," Emma Raducanu said in the aforementioned press conference.
Jack Draper and Dan Evans secured direct berths in the US Open main draw. Meanwhile, Jan Choinski, one of the six British men in the qualifiers, earned a place in the last 128, too.
"Especially the guys, there’s lot more guys in the qualifying this year, which is really cool, because when I came three years ago, there were barely any players. So yeah, now I feel like there are a lot more who have chances to do well in even the main (draw)," Raducanu said.
On the women’s side, Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter will be joined by Harriet Dart in the main draw.