British No. 1 Katie Boulter has been eliminated from the Australian Open, falling in the second round to Veronika Kudermetova in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu, who triumphed over Amanda Anisimova in the second round, set up a highly anticipated third-round clash against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Raducanu’s victory on Thursday was notable not just for her performance but also for her comments regarding her previous mixed doubles withdrawal with Andy Murray during his Wimbledon farewell in 2023.
Raducanu revealed that she had concerns about “bad blood” after pulling out of the mixed doubles match with Murray due to wrist soreness. The decision denied Murray his final outing at the All England Club last summer, after Raducanu had reached the fourth round of the women’s singles.
Speaking after her win over Anisimova, Raducanu said that the relationship between her and Murray has since healed. “Afterwards, I sent him a long message apologising if I caused any trouble,” Raducanu shared. “That’s the last thing I want, especially with someone I have looked up to for so long. He responded really well, expressing his disappointment but also showing understanding, and now we’re fine. We walk past each other, say ‘hello,’ and ‘well done.’ It’s nice to see him with Novak [Djokovic] here as well.”
Raducanu, who also had to receive medical treatment during her match, is now preparing for her third-round showdown against Swiatek. The British star acknowledged the challenge of facing such a top player but emphasized her excitement for the opportunity.
“Swiatek is a top player, really consistent over the last few years,” Raducanu said. “It’s a match where I don’t feel any external expectations, but I always expect a lot from myself. It’s about testing my game against the best and enjoying the buzz of adrenaline that comes with these moments.”
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