Emma Raducanu pulled out of her mixed doubles date with Andy Murray - spelling the end of his Wimbledon career.
Britain’s former US open champion reported some stiffness in her right wrist - on which she had an operation last year - and decided not to risk it playing doubles, although she WILL play her fourth round singles tie against Lulu Sun.
Under Championship rules, Murray is not allowed to seek an alternative partner at only hours’ notice, so there will be NO curtain call for the two-time Wimbledon champion on Court No.1 this evening. And it means his emotional farewell with brother Jamie in the men’s doubles on Thursday night was the full stop in his career in SW19.
When one broadcaster labelled Raducanu's decision as "astonishing" on social media and declared, "it means Murray has played his last match at Wimbledon. Oh dear," his mother, Judy, simply responded: "Yes, astonishing".
Raducanu’s team had private reservations about the 21-year-old featuring in the mixed doubles to protect her old injury.
But the decision was effectively made for all concerned when Raducanu reported: “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.
Was Raducanu right to pull out of the mixed doubles with Murray? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
“I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy, but I’ve got to take care.”
In between the rain delays, Raducanu pitched up for practice at Wimbledon sporting a patriotic England shirt in support of the Three Lions ahead of their Euro 2024 quarterfinal with Switzerland in Dusseldorf.
But there was also a tell-tale sign of her wrist problem, with protective white strapping visible beneath her blue wristband.