Emma Raducanu says 'yes' to play with Andy Murray in a heartbeat

Britain’s young tennis star Emma Raducanu has revealed that it took her 10 seconds to say ‘yes’ to playing in the mixed doubles category with former world number one Andy Murray at Wimbledon.

The third Grand Slam of the year is already underway, and players are giving their all to secure the ultimate prize. One of the players who was under the spotlight for all the right reasons was Murray, who initially announced that he was considering retirement from professional tennis after the Wimbledon and Paris Olympics.

However, the 37-year-old ended up withdrawing from the mega-event after failing to recover from back surgery for an injury he suffered during the Queen’s ATP Championship. Despite the setback, it was later reported that Murray is considering participating in the mixed doubles category alongside Raducanu.

While talking to the media about the development, the former world number 10 said she instantly accepted the invitation. The Toronto-born star further stated that, in her view, some things are just ‘bigger’ than tennis, and playing with a legendary player like Murray is one of them.

“I got asked… and literally it was like 10 seconds I was like yeah,” she said. “For me it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. Some things are bigger than just tennis. Some things are a once in a lifetime memory that you’re gonna have for the rest of your life. To play at Wimbledon with Andy Murray.. those things don’t come by. At the end of my life, at the end of my career, when I’m like 70 years old, I know I’m gonna have that memory of playing at Wimbledon with Andy Murray on our home Slam. For me, it was an honor to be asked.”

It is not clear whether the Glasgow-born will still take part in the mega-event in the mixed doubles category. Murray is often regarded as one of the greatest players to have played tennis from Great Britain, at least in the men’s singles category. He has won three Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career. Despite his achievements on the court, fitness remained a major concern for him throughout his career. It was because of this reason, he announced retirement from professional tennis after the Australian Open in 2018.