'It’s a difficult situation' - Carlos Alcaraz backs Emma Raducanu amid mixed doubles withdrawal controversy

Carlos Alcaraz will face Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships.

Carlos Alcaraz was asked about Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from the 2024 Wimbledon mixed doubles event during a recent press conference.

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu was set to play at the mixed doubles event at the championships, where she was going to play alongside Andy Murray at his last Wimbledon. However, she withdrew from the event.

In response to the question, Alcaraz stated that he thinks Raducanu has withdrawn from the mixed doubles event due to fitness issues. Otherwise, she was keen to play alongside Andy Murray at the grass court Grand Slam.

Carlos Alcaraz said, “It’s a difficult situation. She said she was going to play mixed doubles with Andy in the last Wimbledon of his career… I’m sure she didn’t want to pull out of the mixed doubles. She had her reasons to do it. I guess physical problems.”

The 21-year-old backed Emma Raducanu by stating that she’s in the second week at Wimbledon and will be looking to solidifying her chances of winning the major. Raducanu underwent three major surgeries last year due to which she missed the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.

Alcaraz added, “I don’t know, she’s facing the fourth round of a Grand Slam at Wimbledon, I think it’s special for her playing in England. I’m sure a lot of players in her position would do the same thing as her. Obviously, knowing it’s his last Wimbledon is difficult to deal with.”

However, Emma Raducanu’s campaign was halted in the fourth round by qualifier Lulu Sun in a three-set thriller, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. The 2021 US Open champion was the hot favourite to win the match. However, Sun proved her on-court caliber by becoming a quarter-finalist.

ALSO READ: ‘Tough to face’ – Carlos Alcaraz lavishes praise on Frances Tiafoe after Wimbledon 2024 R3 win

With Raducanu’s elimination, no British tennis stars are left in the singles events at the Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz has secured a place in the quarter-finals at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships with a win over France’s Ugo Humbert in four sets on Sunday.

The defending champion will face American tennis star Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals. If Alcaraz wins against the 2024 Queen’s Club Championships winner, he’ll lock horns against either Jannik Sinner or Daniil Medvedev.

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