"Lot of players would do the same as Emma Raducanu": Carlos Alcaraz empathizes with Brit over withdrawal from Wimbledon mixed doubles with Andy Murray
Carlos Alcaraz has extended his support to Emma Raducanu following her decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles event at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships before her match with Andy Murray. The 21-year-old's last-minute withdrawal brought an unfortunate end to Murray's final campaign at the grasscourt Major.
Alcaraz took a strong stride forward in his title defense with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 win over Ugo Humbert in the fourth round, booking his place in the quarterfinals.
During the World No. 3's post-match press conference, the conversation turned to Raducanu's late withdrawal from the mixed doubles event due to stiffness in her wrist, which has drawn significant scrutiny and criticism.
The three-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged it as a "difficult" situation for everyone involved, especially with this being the last Wimbledon of Murray's illustrious career.
However, the 21-year-old empathized with Emma Raducanu, asserting that with her physical issues and a looming fourth-round clash in the singles, she had valid reasons to pull out of the match.
Carlos Alcaraz also highlighted the "special" significance of competing in her home Slam, expressing his belief that many players in Raducanu's position would have made the same decision.
"It’s a difficult situation. She said she was going to play mixed doubles with Andy in the last Wimbledon of his career. But obviously she's young. I’m sure she didn’t want to pull out of the mixed doubles. She had her reasons to do it," Carlos Alcaraz said.
"I guess physical problems. I don’t know, she’s facing the fourth round of a Grand Slam at Wimbledon, I think it’s special for her playing in England. I’m sure a lot of players in her position would do the same thing as her. Obviously, knowing it’s his last Wimbledon is difficult to deal with," he added.
Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz to take on Tommy Paul in QF; Emma Raducanu crashes out in 4R
Following his win over Ugo Humbert, Carlos Alcaraz will square off against Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. With a coveted spot in the semifinals on the line, the duo will battle it out on Tuesday, July 9.
Paul claimed a 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-2 victory over Roberto Bautista Agut to book his place against the defending champion. The duo stand level at 2-2 in their head-to-head record, with Alcaraz beating the American 7-6(6), 6-7(0), 6-3 in their most recent clash at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters.
If the Carlos Alcaraz triumphs over Paul, he will take on the winner of the match between top seed Jannik Sinner and No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev in a blockbuster semifinal clash at the grasscourt Major.
Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu's dream run at her home Slam came to an end in the fourth round with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 loss to qualifier Lulu Sun. Following her win over Raducanu, Sun will face off against Donna Vekic, with a place in the semifinals up for grabs.