Roger Federer denied Andy Murray Wimbledon 'wish' after Emma Raducanu pulls out of mixed doubles

Roger Federer will not be able to watch Andy Murray

Roger Federer will not be able to watch Andy Murray

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 06/07/2024

- 15:12

Roger Federer was back at Wimbledon on Saturday with the hope of watching Andy Murray play one final time.

Roger Federer has been denied the chance to see Andy Murray in action one last time after missing the British icon's ceremony on Thursday.

Mirka Federer was spotted in the stands at Wimbledon on Wednesday, sparking speculation that her husband would be at the grounds to watch Murray play in the men's doubles with his brother Jamie.


Federer was seen around the grounds at Wimbledon on Thursday, but he was not present on Centre Court by the time the Murray brothers took to the court.

It meant that Federer missed the ceremony the All England Club put on for Murray, although he did feature in the video montage.

It later transpired that Federer did at least manage to speak to Murray before the Scot went on court on Thursday, but he had prearranged obligations that meant he was unable to stay for the match.

Roger Federer will not be able to watch Andy Murray

Roger Federer will not be able to watch Andy Murray

GETTY

But Federer was going to be given one final chance to potentially see Murray in action as the 37-year-old was scheduled to play alongside Emma Raducanu in the mixed doubles.

The Swiss tennis icon was seen taking his seat on Court One at the start of play on Saturday with Murray and Raducanu set to be the fourth match on.

However, Raducanu pulled out of the match due to stiffness in her wrist to end Murray's career early.

It also meant that Federer had missed his chance to see Murray live at Wimbledon one final time.

Federer spoke to the BBC on Friday about Murray's farewell from Wimbledon and admitted that his regret in not being able to be there on Thursday.

"Number one, for him to play through the difficult times he's had the last years, wth everyone saying maybe he shouldn't be doing it, he should retire, this isn't what it's supposed to be, he's not winning any more, and for him to keep going, I was always his number one fan and supporter that he should be doing what he thinks is right and what he feels in his heart of hearts he should be doing, so I'm happy that he kept going," Federer said on BBC.

"It was hard to watch yesterday because I know exactly how he feels going through this whole process.

"I think we love the game equally, so so much, and we would love to do this forever.

"He said that on court and I share that opinion completely.

Roger Federer missed Andy Murray's farewell ceremony

Roger Federer missed Andy Murray's farewell ceremony

REUTERS

"I think he will see, once he's on the other side, what an actually great decision it will be for his life, for his body, for his mind to get away from it.

"And he's tried so hard to get himself back on the court. I don't even want to know how the last couple of weeks must have been for him. It must have been brutal.

"I wish I could have been there last night [Thursday]. I saw him quickly before the doubles, I went to see him in the fitness room and then I actually flew in Tuesday morning in case he played singles.

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Emma Raducanu pulled out of the mixed doubles

Emma Raducanu pulled out of the mixed doubles

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"So I was here for that, and then he pulled out so I was like 'oh no, I won't see him play singles unfortunately'."

He added: "What a wonderful champion.

"He will always be remembered here as one of the all-time greats."

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