GB News presenter says Raducanu’s Murray U-turn as bad as ‘Sunak leaving D-Day beaches early’

Anne Diamond, the GB News presenter, has said Emma Raducanu’s decision to withdraw from her mixed doubles appointment with “King of Wimbledon” Andy Murray was “unforgivable” and she will no longer support her.

“I’m shattered by it, I really am”, said Diamond on GB News, prompting raised eyebrows as she then added: “To me, this is like Rishi Sunak going back from the D-Day beaches early”.

Raducanu had announced on Saturday morning, just hours before her scheduled mixed doubles match with Murray, that she had pulled out with stiffness in her right wrist.

The announcement effectively retired Murray from Wimbledon competition and she then suffered a further blow on Sunday when she was knocked out of the singles in three sets.

Some viewers claimed Diamond’s criticism of Raducanu was overblown after she said she would no longer be “rooting for her”.

“Just speaking as a fan, I was really looking forward to it,” said Diamond. “I also see it as a giant snub from a young girl, who has got a future ahead of her, yes, but he is the king of Wimbledon.

“I’m not rooting for her anymore. I’m so sorry, I was yesterday. I was so keen and absolutely behind her, and now this. To me, this is like Rishi Sunak going back from the D-Day beaches early. I think it’s unforgivable.”

A host of viewers posted on social media to criticise Diamond, who first found fame for fronting ITV’s TV AM in the 1980s. “Leave the poor girl alone,” said one. “Murray retired before, then came back, had [a] huge reception on Thursday night so he can have no complaints. Just hope Emma has switched off to all this unwarranted hate.”

Raducanu’s decision to pull out of the doubles had been previously described by Murray’s mother Judy as “astonishing” in a post on X. She later clarified that her post was not meant as a criticism of Raducanu, writing: “Not sure anyone understands sarcasm these days. Pretty sure the scheduling (4th match court 1 with a singles following day) will have played a major part in any decision making.”

Raducanu’s promising Wimbledon fortnight came to an abrupt end on Sunday as she slipped to defeat against world No 123 Lulu Sun. Feeding off some tentative play from Raducanu, Sun struck 52 winners – the highest total in the entirety of the women’s draw to date – to secure a 6-2, 6-7, 6-2 victory.

After the match, Raducanu said that she had not been aware of Judy Murray’s message on social media. When it was explained to her, she replied: “I’m sure she didn’t mean it.”

The withdrawal, and subsequent falling out, became the talk of SW19 over the weekend, with pundits giving their opinion on Raducanu’s decision.

“Andy will be disappointed, Emma will be disappointed,” said former British No 1 Greg Rusedski on BBC Five Live.

“The scheduling from Emma’s point of view was terrible. To be the last match on, could be finishing 11 or midnight, having to play a fourth-round match on top of that where she has a real shot to go deep and have her best Wimbledon in singles.

“It’s a shame for both players, more so for Andy because he wanted one more match here and he wanted to give back to that next generation. Understandably so, Emma not taking any risks and focusing on the singles.”