As the 2025 French Open unfolds at Roland Garros, Emma Raducanu, Britain’s former US Open champion, steps onto the clay with a mix of determination and lingering regret. The 22-year-old, set to face China’s Wang Xinyu in her first-round match on May 26, recently opened up about a decision that cast a shadow over her 2024 Wimbledon campaign: her last-minute withdrawal from a mixed doubles partnership with Andy Murray, a move that abruptly ended the tennis legend’s farewell at the All England Club. The choice, which sparked controversy and drew sharp criticism from Murray’s mother, Judy, who called it “astonishing,” continues to weigh on Raducanu. “I still feel bad about it,” she admitted, unsure if the three-time Grand Slam champion has fully forgiven her. Yet, her efforts to make amends and her reflections on Murray’s influence paint a portrait of a young star navigating the pressures of legacy, injury, and growth.
The Wimbledon incident unfolded when Raducanu, citing stiffness in her right wrist, pulled out of the mixed doubles match with Murray to focus on her singles run, where she reached the fourth round. The decision, made just hours before their scheduled appearance, stirred debate, with some fans and commentators branding it selfish, especially as it marked the end of Murray’s storied career at the tournament. Judy Murray’s pointed social media comment amplified the controversy, though she later clarified it as sarcasm. Raducanu, reflecting on the fallout ahead of her French Open opener, expressed hope for reconciliation. “I hope he’s forgiven me for last year,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of remorse. After the incident, she sent Murray a heartfelt message of apology, to which he responded with understanding. “I sent him a long message and he took it really well and responded saying he was disappointed but he understood,” she shared. “We’re fine now. We walk past each other and say, ‘Hello,’ ‘Well done.’”
Raducanu’s regret is rooted in her deep admiration for Murray, a childhood hero whose resilience and triumphs inspired her own journey in British tennis. “He’s someone I’ve grown up looking up to,” she said, highlighting their shared experiences as top players from the same nation. “He’s been in a similar situation and would probably understand a lot of things that I’m also going through.” Their paths crossed at the Australian Open in January 2025, where Murray, now coaching Novak Djokovic, congratulated Raducanu after her second-round victory over Amanda Anisimova. “It’s obviously really cool seeing him with Novak here as well,” she noted, captivated by the collaboration between two tennis giants. Despite their friendly exchanges, Raducanu remains uncertain about the depth of Murray’s forgiveness, reflecting her desire to maintain a positive connection with a figure she holds in high esteem.
Beyond the emotional weight of the Wimbledon episode, Raducanu has faced physical challenges. A back spasm forced her withdrawal from Auckland earlier in 2025, but her clay-court season has shown signs of resurgence. A fourth-round appearance in Rome underscores her growing confidence on the surface, which has historically tested her grass-court-honed game. Reunited with coach Mark Petchey, who once mentored a young Murray, Raducanu has embraced a more independent approach. “Since Miami, one thing that is a great sign of a coach is when you don’t necessarily feel like you need them every shot, every point,” she said. “He’s really helped me to figure things out for myself.” Petchey’s commitments as a broadcaster limit his availability, but Raducanu relies on her support team, including hitting partner Tom Welsh and mentor Jane O’Donoghue, to bridge the gap.
Rumors have swirled about Murray potentially joining her coaching team, especially after his split with Djokovic, but Raducanu dismissed the idea. “I don’t know. That’s something that’s not been anywhere near my mind,” she said, though she acknowledged his potential to offer valuable insights. “I think he would give great advice.” For now, her focus is on the French Open, where she aims to build on recent successes, including a standout win over top-10 player Jessica Pegula in Eastbourne. As Raducanu takes to the Parisian clay, she carries the lessons of her past choices, striving to honor the legacy of her idol while carving out her own path in a sport that demands both heart and resilience.
# Raducanu’s Regret and Redemption at French Open 2025
## A Lingering Regret
Emma Raducanu, preparing for her first-round match against Wang Xinyu at the 2025 French Open, reflected on her controversial withdrawal from a mixed doubles match with Andy Murray at Wimbledon 2024, which ended his farewell at the All England Club. She admitted, “I hope he’s forgiven me for last year. I still feel bad about it.”
## The Wimbledon Fallout
Raducanu pulled out hours before the match, citing wrist stiffness, to focus on her singles run, reaching the fourth round. The decision drew criticism, with Judy Murray calling it “astonishing.” Raducanu sent Murray a lengthy apology: “I sent him a long message and he took it really well and responded saying he was disappointed but he understood. We’re fine now. We walk past each other and say, ‘Hello,’ ‘Well done.’”
## Admiration for Murray
Raducanu idolizes Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion: “He’s someone I’ve grown up looking up to. He’s been in a similar situation and would probably understand a lot of things that I’m also going through.” She found his coaching role with Novak Djokovic inspiring: “It’s obviously really cool seeing him with Novak here as well.”
## Coaching and Clay-Court Progress
Under coach Mark Petchey, Raducanu has regained form, reaching Rome’s fourth round in 2025. She values Petchey’s guidance: “Since Miami, one thing that is a great sign of a coach is when you don’t necessarily feel like you need them every shot, every point. He’s really helped me to figure things out for myself.” Petchey’s broadcasting duties limit his availability, but Raducanu relies on Tom Welsh and Jane O’Donoghue. She dismissed Murray as a potential coach: “I don’t know. That’s something that’s not been anywhere near my mind. I think he would give great advice.”
## Looking Ahead
Despite a back spasm in Auckland, Raducanu’s recent top-10 win over Jessica Pegula shows promise. As she navigates Roland Garros, her reflections on the Murray incident reveal a player learning from past choices while chasing new triumphs.
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