Tennis

Andy Murray's Wimbledon farewell has been cut short after Emma Raducanu withdrew from their mixed doubles match due to a wrist injury. The pair were scheduled to play on Saturday evening, but Raducanu's withdrawal means Murray's Grand Slam career has come to an end.Murray, 37, was honored with a special tribute on Centre Court on Thursday night after losing his men's doubles opener with brother Jamie Murray. The tribute marked the end of an era for British tennis, as Murray is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.Raducanu's withdrawal is a major blow to Murray's hopes of ending his career on a high. The 21-year-old is one of the most promising young players in the world, and her partnership with Murray would have been a formidable one.However, Raducanu's wrist injury has forced her to withdraw from the tournament. In a statement, she said: "Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist, so therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight. I'm disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care."Murray's mother, Judy, expressed her disappointment at Raducanu's withdrawal on social media. She wrote: "Astonishing. Emma Raducanu withdraws from mixed doubles with Andy Murray at Wimbledon due to a 'stiff wrist'. She played 3 tough sets yesterday and looked fine. Makes no sense."Murray is expected to retire from tennis after the Paris Olympics later this month. He has entered singles and men's doubles with Dan Evans.

Andy Murray's Wimbledon legacy extends beyond his historic singles triumphs. His memorable mixed doubles partnership with Serena Williams in 2019 stands as a testament to his versatility and commitment to promoting women's sports.Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside Murray in a heartfelt video message. "It was such a fantastic experience," she said. "It really was one of the highlights of my life."The duo, boasting a combined nine Wimbledon singles titles, won two mixed doubles matches before falling to the top seeds. Murray's advocacy for women's sports, both on and off the court, has earned him Williams' admiration."You were the leader in that," Williams said. "The things you spoke up about on—the things you said about myself and Venus, about how we were always so inspiring, and what we meant to you—it really went such a long way, in my heart."Murray's mother, Judy, has been a constant source of support throughout his career. His emotional interview after his doubles loss with brother Jamie highlighted her influence.Despite his recent doubles defeat, Murray's Wimbledon journey continues alongside Emma Raducanu in mixed doubles. The 2012 and 2021 US Open champions will face Marcelo Arevalo and Zhang Shuai on Saturday.Williams, an avid Murray fan, expressed her unwavering support. "I will always be cheering for you and rooting you on, whatever you decide to do next," she said.Murray's Wimbledon legacy is not solely defined by his singles victories. His mixed doubles partnership with Williams and his advocacy for women's sports have cemented his status as a true champion both on and off the court.

Despite withdrawing from the men's singles event at Wimbledon, Andy Murray will still grace the All England Club for two events. The former world No. 1 will team up with Emma Raducanu in mixed doubles, while also partnering with his brother Jamie in men's doubles.Murray's withdrawal from singles due to a recent back surgery cast a shadow over what was expected to be his final Wimbledon appearance as a competitor. However, his participation in doubles offers a glimmer of hope for fans eager to witness his brilliance on the court.Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has never played in either women's or mixed doubles at a Grand Slam. However, she expressed admiration for Murray's professionalism and work ethic, which she believes will benefit her in their partnership.The mixed doubles event at Wimbledon begins on Friday, and the pairing of Murray and Raducanu has already sparked excitement among tennis enthusiasts. The duo's combined experience and star power could make them a formidable force in the tournament.Murray's previous mixed doubles partnership with Serena Williams in 2019 captivated crowds at Wimbledon. The pair reached the third round, showcasing Murray's versatility and ability to adapt to different formats.Raducanu's inclusion in the mixed doubles draw is a testament to her growing stature in the sport. The 21-year-old Brit has quickly established herself as one of the most promising young players on the WTA Tour.The Murray-Raducanu partnership has the potential to be a memorable moment in Wimbledon history. The combination of Murray's experience and Raducanu's youthful exuberance could create a formidable team capable of challenging for the title.

Laura Siegemund and Edouard Roger-Vasselin Triumph in Roland Garros Mixed DoublesIn a serendipitous turn of events, Laura Siegemund and Edouard Roger-Vasselin found themselves paired together for the Roland Garros mixed doubles tournament. Despite not initially planning to participate, Siegemund couldn't resist the opportunity to play alongside the Frenchman she had long admired.Their decision proved to be a stroke of genius as they stormed through the draw, culminating in a thrilling 6-4, 7-5 victory over Desirae Krawczyk and Neal Skupski in the final on Court Philippe Chatrier.The match was a tense affair, with both teams trading breaks early on. However, Siegemund and Roger-Vasselin's resilience shone through as they saved seven break points in the first set and rallied from a 2-4 deficit in the second.Roger-Vasselin, a Roland Garros doubles champion in 2014, expressed his delight at winning his first mixed doubles Grand Slam title on home soil. "It's the biggest tournament for me, so having the trophy here ten years after I won in doubles here, it's quite special," he said.Siegemund, who won the US Open mixed doubles title in 2016, echoed Roger-Vasselin's sentiments. "I'm really happy that I decided to say yes," she said. "It's just great to have someone who can play so many different things and tactics, and I really enjoyed that."The victory marked a significant milestone for both players. Roger-Vasselin claimed his maiden mixed doubles Grand Slam title, while Siegemund added to her US Open triumph. Krawczyk and Skupski, who have won Wimbledon twice, finished runner-up for the second consecutive major.

Tsitsipas and Badosa Reunite for Mixed Doubles at Roland GarrosThe mixed doubles tournament at Roland Garros has gained prominence this year, with the return of tennis power couple Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa. The duo, who recently reunited, will face Ena Shibahara and Nathaniel Lammons in the first round.Tsitsipas and Badosa's participation has drawn attention due to their high-profile relationship and their potential to challenge for the title. The Greek and Spaniard are both accomplished singles players, with Tsitsipas ranked ninth in the world and Badosa a former world number two.In singles, Tsitsipas is considered a title contender, despite the uncertainty surrounding the men's game. He remains deferential to Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner, but believes he has the potential to challenge them on clay.Badosa, meanwhile, will face Katie Boulter in a high-profile first-rounder. She is eager to put her recent struggles behind her and make a deep run in Paris.The mixed doubles draw also features several other notable teams, including top seeds Ellen Perez and Matthew Ebden, and third seeds Demi Schurrs and Wesley Koolhof. Half of the 32 teams feature compatriots, adding an element of national pride to the competition.The mixed doubles tournament will take place at the same venue that will host the Olympic tennis event in a few months. This provides an opportunity for teams to familiarize themselves with the conditions and gain valuable experience.

Nitten Kirrtane, a seasoned Indian tennis player, continued to shine at the ITF Masters World Championship in Mexico City, adding a mixed doubles silver medal and a men's doubles bronze medal to his collection.After helping the over-50 Indian team secure their first-ever silver medal in the World Championship, Kirrtane faced off against the formidable Bart Beks of the Netherlands in the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.In the singles quarterfinals, Kirrtane fought valiantly but ultimately fell to Beks in a close match, losing 5-7, 6-7(5). He then teamed up with Isabelle Gemmel of Australia in the mixed doubles, reaching the final before being defeated by Beks and Barbara Mulej.In the men's doubles, Kirrtane and Jagdish Tanwar made it to the semifinals, where they narrowly lost to Beks and Sebastian Jackson in a super tie-break, 10-6.Despite the physical toll of the team competition, Kirrtane remained determined in the individual events. "I played hard despite being exhausted," he said. "I ran into Bart in all three events, and he is a tough competitor. We played very close matches."Kirrtane expressed gratitude to his teammates, family, and sponsors for their support. He also urged the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and the Sports Ministry to recognize the team's historic achievement."We will be motivated to come back stronger next year if AITA and the Sports Ministry recognize our run for the nation," he said.

Mixed Doubles Makes a Splash at BNP Paribas OpenThe BNP Paribas Open, a prestigious joint ATP and WTA 1000 event, is set to introduce a groundbreaking initiative on Wednesday: a mixed doubles invitational with a substantial $150,000 purse. This exciting addition to the tournament has garnered praise from renowned coach Brad Gilbert, who described it as "very cool."The invitational will feature eight teams competing in a knockout format, boasting an impressive roster of 11 doubles major-winners. Among the participants are two couples who are also partners off the court: Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic, and Desirae Kraczyk and Andrew Harris, an American-Australian duo.The inclusion of mixed doubles at the BNP Paribas Open marks a significant step forward for the discipline. While mixed doubles has been a staple at the four Grand Slams since before the Open Era and returned to the Olympics in 2012, it has struggled to gain traction on the ATP and WTA tours.However, the advent of the United Cup in 2022 has reignited interest in mixed doubles. This innovative event, which features men and women competing for their countries on teams, became the first mixed-gender team event to offer both ATP and WTA rankings points. It replaced the Hopman Cup, which served as a similar tune-up event from 1989 to 2019.The success of the United Cup has raised hopes that the BNP Paribas Open's mixed doubles invitational could pave the way for more mixed doubles events on the tour. Only time will tell if this latest innovation will lead to a resurgence of mixed doubles in the tennis world.