Emma Raducanu airs true feelings on Andy Murray as Wimbledon icon prepares to bid farewell
Emma Raducanu has praised Andy Murray's professionalism
REUTERS
Emma Raducanu has revealed just how much influence Andy Murray has had on her young career with the 37-year-old coming to the end of his career.
Murray is still yet to make a final decision on whether he will play in the singles at Wimbledon, with his first-round match against Tomas Machac scheduled last on Centre Court on Tuesday.
Raducanu got her Wimbledon campaign up and running on the opening day of the tournament - her first appearance at SW19 in two years.
It was a shaky performance but Raducanu got the job done against lucky loser Renata Zarazua in straight sets.
Emma Raducanu has praised Andy Murray's professionalism
REUTERS
All the focus will now be on Murray heading into Tuesday in what could be his last singles match at Wimbledon before retirement.
The three-time major champion has also committed to playing doubles with his brother Jamie.
But it's in singles where Murray created a legacy that will go down in British sporting history.
His influence is already there to see on the next generation with Raducanu admitting watching the tennis icon up close has helped her prepare better at tournaments.
"I think the biggest advice is just how he's always taken care of his operations, how he manages his people," Raducanu said.
"I haven't really spoken to him so much. I think for me it's just like watching him operate day to day, watching him be absolutely on it with everything.
"Even in practice now, he's so on it to the minute.
"I think me, when I was a bit younger maybe, showing up 15 minutes before practice to do a few arm curls, swing my hand around and warm up, he's there for an hour and a half doing treatment.
"He just sets really good examples."
Andy Murray is touch and go whether he will play in the singles draw
GETTY
Raducanu was just nine years old when Murray first reached the final of Wimbledon back in 2012, where he agonisingly lost to Roger Federer in four sets.
It was Murray's fourth Grand Slam final defeat and one that hit him the hardest at the time.
However, he got his revenge just weeks later at Wimbledon in the 2012 Olympics when he defeated Federer to clinch the gold medal.
That resilience to come back from the biggest of all setbacks is what has impressed Raducanu the most about Murray's career as a whole.
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Emma Raducanu beat lucky loser Renata Zarazua in straight sets
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"The biggest standout thing for me was when he lost in the final here of Wimbledon, then came back a month later and won the Olympics," she added.
"I think that to get through six really difficult rounds, then lose in the final, then to play a month later and be in the final again, your mind, without you realising, just runs like déjà vu scenarios. 'I made it to the final'.
"It's very difficult to shut that out, which is in a way why I'm very grateful and happy that I won the US Open.
"To make the final and not win it, you always have in the back of your head, Will I ever get it? Will I ever get it? For me, I have it now."
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