Emma Raducanu’s decision to pull out of her Wimbledon mixed doubles match with Andy Murray is “unforgivable”, according to GB News star Anne Diamond.
The young Brit announced yesterday she will not be taking part, therefore denying her partner Andy Murray one last hurrah on the hallowed grass of SW19.
The former US Open champion is still in contention for the singles title having demolished ninth seed Maria Sakkari in straight sets on Friday.
The 21-year-old says she is struggling with wrist issues, which means she has “got to take care” and focus solely her round of 16 clash against Lulu Sun later today.
Anne Diamond has criticised Emma Raducanu
GB NEWS / PA
But Anne has little sympathy for Raducanu and lashed out at the young Brit’s decision in a fiery rant on GB News.
“I’m shattered by it, I really am”, she said.
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“Just speaking as a fan, I was really looking forward to it. I also see it as a giant snub from a young girl, who has got a future ahead of her yes, but he is the king of Wimbledon.
“I’m not rooting for her anymore. I’m so sorry, I was yesterday. I was so keen and absolutely behind her, and now this.
“To me, this is like Rishi Sunak going back from the D-Day beaches early. I think it’s unforgivable.”
Anne went on to admit that she would have preferred to watch Murray and Raducanu compete together in the mixed doubles over England playing in the Euros, as it would have been “magic”.
Emma Raducanu has cited wrist issues for her decision to pull out
GB NEWS
Co-host Stephen Dixon offered a differing view, questioning why Raducanu should “sacrifice her chances on the altar of Andy Murray”.
The tennis star said in a statement: “Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist this morning, so therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight.
“I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care.”
Andy Murray’s mother, Judy, said the news that Raducanu was no longer playing alongside her son was “astonishing” on X, formerly Twitter.
The topic was cause for discussion on GB News
GB NEWS
The 37-year-old is set to head off on a family holiday before preparing for the final event of his career at the Olympics in Paris, where he will compete in singles and doubles with Dan Evans.
Raducanu, meanwhile, will be hopeful her wrist issue does not derail her Wimbledon efforts with the 21-year-old widely tipped to reach the quarter-finals, which could hugely boost her place in the WTA standings.
The number one seed Iga Swiatek was dumped out of the competition yesterday with her 21-match winning streak coming to an end.