Andy Murray's former coach weighs in after Emma Raducanu causes fury with 'old news' remark
Emma Raducanu has caused a stir with her comments
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Andy Murray's former coach Mark Petchey has lavished praise on the three-time Grand Slam champion's 'amazing adventure' following his retirement after Emma Raducanu called it 'old news'.
Murray officially retired from professional tennis at the Olympics where he lost in the quarter-finals alongside Dan Evans.
His penultimate tennis tournament was brought to an abrupt end when Raducanu pulled out of her scheduled mixed doubles pairing with Murray at Wimbledon.
And Raducanu caused a stir in the build-up to the first major tournament since Murray called time on his career.
Emma Raducanu has caused a stir with her comments
PA
The 2021 US Open champion brushed off Murray's retirement as 'old news'.
She said: "I think tennis is unforgiving in that sense no matter who you are, it just moves on.
"There's always another tournament. Of course Andy's achieved amazing things and I watched him win this tournament but it's fast-paced like life is.
"It's old news the next day."
Petchey, who helped Murray climb from No 351 to No 41 in the world rankings back in 2006, appeared to respond to Raducanu's comments on social media.
The 54-year-old noted that 'others won't be missing him', but felt it pertinent to point out how significant the US Open was to Murray's career having won the junior title at Flushing Meadows in 2004.
"20 years and 19 days ago @andy_murray was about to make his first indelible image @usopen," Petchey wrote on X.
"I was fortunate to watch him that day and interview him at the start of what was going to be an incredible adventure.
Andy Murray officially retired from tennis after the Olympics
PA
"Maybe others won’t be missing him but one person will be missing it more than life itself.
"Tennis was his oxygen and his time to truly reflect on his incredible career will start this fortnight.
"Many took Petchey's comments as a direct shot at Raducanu, but he insisted that wasn't the point of his original post.
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Mark Petchey previously coached Andy Murray
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"Why would I tag one person when many feel/felt the same from the comments? If I feel the comment needs to tag someone I will," he replied.
"I was making the point it’s been a two decades since the start of Andy’s journey and it was an amazing adventure. For many of us it’s the end of an era that will never be repeated and knowing he will be never be in a draw again is significant.
"Was in Mallorca this past week and the guy at the hotel came up to me and said his life changed by watching Andy. He and never watched tennis before.
"For many it is a void for them. But I appreciate that isn’t the same for everyone and that’s fine."