Andy Murray has played his final game at Wimbledon following the news Emma Raducanu has been forced to withdraw from the mixed doubles.
The pair were due to start their campaign on Saturday evening, but Raducanu has confirmed she will not participate due to 'some stiffness in her right wrist'. That means Murray's final Wimbledon campaign has come to an end, having been unable to play in the singles and losing in the first round of the men's doubles with brother Jamie.
The 21-year-old had previously said it was her lifelong ambition to play alongside Murray at what will be his final championships at SW19, but she has made the decision to prioritise her singles campaign. “Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist this morning, so I have taken the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles.
“I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy, but I’ve got to take care.”
Due to championship regulations, Murray is unable to name a new partner at such late notice and therefore both players must retire from the competition. Raducanu has made it to the fourth round of a slam for the first time since her miraculous US Open run and looks a genuine contender.
Murray and Raducanu were due on around 5pm on Court One, a scheduling time the latter made clear was 'not ideal'. She is due to play her fourth round match on Sunday afternoon when she faces qualifier Lulu Sun.
Thankfully for bosses at SW19, Murray was given an emotional tribute on Centre Court on Thursday night following the straights set defeat he suffered with his brother. The 37-year-old was shown a video on the big screen with a host of modern icons paying tribute to the three-time Grand Salm winner.
BBC also took the opportunity to bring back beloved presenter Sue Barker for the ceremony, who had been front and centre for both of his Wimbledon triumphs. "It is hard because I want to keep playing, but I can't," he said on court.
"Physically it's too tough now. I want to play forever. I love the sport."
Murray had a desperate battle to feature in his final Wimbledon after undergoing surgery on a spinal cyst just days before the championships got underway. He was forced to pull out of the singles competition, in order to give him a chance to play alongside Jamie.
"It was obviously very special to play with Jamie, we've not the chance to do it before," Murray added. "It was a race against time to get out here and physically it wasn't easy but I'm glad we were able to do it one time together."
Murray hinted he could go into coaching after hanging up his racket, but regardless, he will end his career as one of Britain's greatest ever sportspeople. After losing the Wimbledon final in heartbreaking circumstances in 2012, the Dunblane-born star went on to win Olympic gold at London 2012.
It was then in 2013, that Murray etched his name into sporting legend when he defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets to become the first British men to win Wimbledon in 77 years. He then repeated the feat three years on before injuries took hold in the later stages of his accomplished career.
Murray has been named in Team GB's team for Paris 2024, which now could serve as his final event before retiring from the game.