Tennis star Emma Raducanu has hit back at Judy Murray after ruling out the University of Oxford.
The 21-year-old withdrew from the mixed doubles at Wimbledon last week when she was due to play alongside Andy Murray.
Ms Raducanu opted to play it safe after waking up with soreness in her wrist and decided to focus on her own singles push.
But this did not go to plan as the young player’s tournament ended on Sunday in a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 loss to New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun.
READ MORE: Emma Watson’s mystery lover revealed as fellow University of Oxford student
This fourth-round defeat saw Ms Raducanu clutching both her ankle and back with one medical timeout called after she slipped in the deciding set on Centre Court.
Facing criticism over the weekend, the former US Open champion’s withdrawal was described as “astonishing” by Andy Murray’s mother Judy who later claimed her comments were sarcastic.
The 21-year-old was questioned about Judy Murray's post following her loss to Sun and claimed that she had not seen the comments despite them going viral online.
“I haven’t seen her reaction so I don’t know,” said Ms Raducanu.
“What was she sarcastic about?”
READ MORE: Harry Potter author JK Rowling labels Oxford MP’s comments as ‘nonsensical’
Subscribe to the Oxford Mail for just £4 for four months in this July flash sale 🗞https://t.co/cSxYZYwrdV
— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) July 9, 2024
Reporters then informed the tennis star about the content of Judy Murray’s posts which provoked Ms Raducanu to hit back with a six-word response.
“I’m sure she didn’t mean it,” she said.
Ms Raducanu also revealed she had no regrets over pulling out of the mixed doubles match with Andy Murray despite her subsequent defeat.
“I have to prioritise myself and my singles and my body and I think it was the right decision,” said Ms Raducanu.
“I stand by my decision. Of course, I didn't want to take his last match away from him but at the end of the day, a lot of the players in similar situations would have done a similar thing.
READ MORE: Busy kebab shop posed rat risk and was covered in grease during inspection
“[Andy Murray was] obviously disappointed because it was his last match. Hopefully, he'll play in the Olympics and have another farewell there.
“'With every decision, people are entitled to their opinions. Of course, there was a cloud around the decision, but I don't think I would have done it any other way.”
This response comes just after Ms Raducanu seemingly ruled out studying at the University of Oxford after links to the prestigious institution were made.
Ahead of the Championships, Raducanu was pictured in the main quad of Corpus Christi College during a visit to Oxford University.
READ MORE: Burglars ‘pour bleach on floor’ after entering through house window
“I’m very much focused on my professional tennis career,” she said in the post-match press conference.
“Once that’s over maybe or once I have more disposition or more time, that’s for sure something I would love to explore.
“For now I’m very much focused on the tennis.”
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe/
- As a digital subscriber you will get:
- Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website
- Advert-light access
- Reader rewards
- Full access to our app
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here