"How does it concern Carlos Alcaraz?"- Fans slam journalist for quizzing Spaniard on Emma Raducanu-Andy Murray Wimbledon controversy

Carlos Alcaraz was asked about Emma Raducanu pulling out of Wimbledon 2024's mixed doubles event, where she was set to pair up with Andy Murray for the legendary Brit's final Wimbledon outing. However, fans were livid with questions about the controversy being directed at Alcaraz, who had no part to play in how things unfolded.

Raducanu and Murray's mixed doubles match against Zhang Shuai and Marcelo Arevalo was slated to take place on Centre Court on Saturday, July 6. However, Raducanu chose to withdraw from the match on the same day citing wrist stiffness, bringing Murray's Wimbledon career to an end in the most unexpected of ways.

The 2021 US Open women's singles champion, unsurprisingly, faced flak for her decision. For instance, yesteryear great Boris Becker suggested that Raducanu should have played mixed doubles for Murray and his family's sake.

Murray had already received an emotional Centre Court farewell on Thursday, July 4, after he and his brother Jamie lost to John Peers and Rinky Hijikata in men's doubles.

On Sunday, July 7, both Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu were in action in the fourth round of the men's singles and women's singles events respectively. The Spaniard survived a third-set scare to eventually defeat Ugo Humbert and reach the quarterfinals. However, Raducanu's fourth-round outing ended in disappointment as she lost to qualifier Lulu Sun.

Later, at a press conference, a journalist asked Carlos Alcaraz about his thoughts on the Raducanu-Murray controversy, to which the Spaniard answered:

"It’s a difficult situation. She (Raducanu) 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. I don’t know, she’s facing the 4th 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."

Several fans questioned the intent of the journalist who had asked the defending Wimbledon men's singles champion about the issue.

"Why are they asking Carlos Alcaraz this? Tennis media is something else," wrote one fan.

"And how does it concern Carlos? Why are they asking him that?" another fan asked.

"Once again they don't know what questions they should ask to the players," opined another fan.

Another set of fans criticized the journalist and, at the same time, lauded Carlos Alcaraz for steering clear of further controversy through his nuanced answer.

"Why would they ask him that & try to put him on spot? Good on carlos with a classy answer but it's one thing for fans to do the emma - carlos thing for fun but the journos pushing it is cringe af & embarrassing," a fan wrote.

"Carlos is a better man than me bc I would have given the reporter a piece of my mind for asking me that. Might as well ask Musetti about the Labour governments foreign policy next match," another fan commented.

"Mature response, but why they even asking him this question," wrote yet another fan.

"Carlos, you just don't answer these questions. Don't fall into the trap of some yellow press journalists. Just say: I don't know, I'm not aware of this matter," one fan advised.

Emma Raducanu came out in defense of herself after Carlos Alcaraz voiced his opinion

Emma Raducanu (Source: GETTY)

Emma Raducanu herself explained her controversial decision to not play the mixed doubles match with Murray at SW19. According to the former WTA World No. 10, the decision stemmed from her prioritizing her singles campaign.

"I don’t think it was a mistake because I was feeling fine, then yesterday morning just woke up with stiffness. I have to prioritize myself, my singles, and my body. I think it was the right decision. I stand by the decision. It was a tough decision because it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do," Raducanu said at a press conference following her fourth-round loss to Sun.

The 2021 US Open also said that she never had intended to cut short Murray's Wimbledon career and that most players in her position would not have hesitated in doing what she did.

"Of course, I didn’t want to take his (Murray’s) last match away from him. But at the end of the day, I think a lot of the players in a similar situation would have done the same thing, prioritizing their body," Raducanu added.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, has the Wimbledon 2024 quarterfinals to look forward to, where he will face Tommy Paul.