Murray and Raducanu form unexpected duo in Wimbledon's mixed doubles

Despite Andy Murray not being able to play singles at 2024 Wimbledon, it seems his participation won't end in a men's doubles pairing with his brother Jamie Murray as he will team with fellow Brit, Emma Raducanu in a dream mixed doubles pairing.

Murray had to withdraw on Tuesday due to his spinal cyst and the former World No.1 not managing to recover in time in order to play against Tomas Machac despite his best efforts.

“I’m disappointed. I wanted to play in the tournament, and I wanted to have a chance to go out there and walk out on my own on Centre Court again and give it another go. But I also was only going to do that if I felt like I could be competitive. And I didn’t feel like that today,” Murray said.

“I’m sorry, obviously, for everyone that came and wanted to support and watch again. And I wanted that moment, as well, as much for me as for the people that have supported me over the years. The fans, but also my closest friends, family, my team. It was important for me to do that with them, as well,” he said. “It’s one of those things. Unfortunate. The timing was horrible. The surgery was a complex one. It wasn’t to be.”

He was later seen on the practice courts albeit fairly crestfallen as he practiced with brother Jamie Murray. Albeit in a pairing that has never happened alongside his fellow Grand Slam winning brother but Wimbledon have this morning handed a wildcard for Murray to play at least another match and one that is likely to attract major attention.

He will team with former US Open champion Emma Raducanu who will continue her campaign today with Elise Mertens. While he has never played a Grand Slam with Raducanu, he has played in a high profile mixed doubles pairing before.

He teamed with Serena Williams back in 2019 when they reached the third round and with Raducanu also not playing the Olympic Games, it will be the first and last time similar to being with brother Jamie Murray that he gets the opportunity to team with Raducanu. Also if he loses early in the men's doubles, it will be the final match he will likely ever play in the championship. Raducanu faces Mertens today then could face Arantxa Rus or Maria Sakkari in the third round later this week.