Emma Raducanu and Judy Murray's relationship as Australian Open ...

The strained relationship between Emma Raducanu and Judy Murray has been brought back into focus at the Australian Open.

Tennis sensation Raducanu was quizzed about the matter after reaching the third round in Melbourne on Thursday. She defeated Amanda Anisimova in straight sets to set a new career best at the Australian Open - but talk swiftly turned back to one of the most unexpected feuds of 2024.

This comes six months after Raducanu's injury-induced withdrawal from Wimbledon disrupted Andy Murray's final appearance at the tournament, leading to a public disagreement with Murray Sr. But Raducanu has now elaborated on her attempts to mend fences.

"I just hope he doesn't hate me too much," she told reporters (via the Daily Express). "He's someone that I've grown up looking up to, and I don't want any bad blood or harsh feelings with him. I sent him a long message, and he took it really well and responded, saying he was disappointed but he understood. We're fine now.

"We walk past each other and say 'hello', 'well done'. It's obviously really cool seeing him with Novak here as well. Two great champions, and they're just together; it's pretty awesome. Afterwards I sent him a long message basically apologising if I caused any trouble I guess at Wimbledon, that's definitely the last thing I want."

Expectations were high for an iconic mixed doubles pair featuring Raducanu, but her withdrawal prompted Murray's mum to post what seemed like a thinly veiled criticism on social media. "Yes, astonishing," she replied to one X user in a message many interpreted as a dig at Raducanu, although Murray clarified it was directed at the Wimbledon organisers.

After receiving criticism and setting her Twitter account to private, she elaborated: "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, on the other hand, dismissed any notion of a dispute regarding Judy's remarks, recognising everyone is "entitled to their opinions." Justifying her decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles, she said: "I don't think it was a mistake because I was feeling fine, then [Saturday] morning just woke up with stiffness.

"I have to prioritise myself, my singles and my body. I think it was the right decision. I stand by the decision. Obviously, it was a tough decision, though, because it's something that I've always wanted to do."

Some spectators - and possibly Murray herself - believed that Raducanu might have been able to compete in the doubles considering she proceeded with her singles campaign. Yet opinion was divided as others insisted she made the correct call in focusing on her solo performance.

Amid the unfolding drama, Murray Jr had to address queries about Raducanu while at the Paris 2024 Olympics. When probed about whether he'd been in contact with Raducanu, he said: "No, I haven't spoken to her since we chatted on the phone when she told me she wasn't going to play. We've not spoken."

"It's always important, in situations like this, to remember that at that moment, everyone is really emotional," he said at the time. "It's the end of me playing at Wimbledon. For everyone, I'm aware there's a much bigger picture out there. But she's my mum. She cares a lot about me, and she has been a huge part of my career. Look at what had happened in the 10 days of warm-up.

"I had just had a surgery, I didn't know if I would get the opportunity to play. Everyone's emotions are running high at that time of year. My mum's always going to look out for my best interests. She has been the best supporter."

Attention now shifts onto Raducanu's forthcoming challenge at the Australian Open. The 2021 US Open victor faces a tough competitor in Swiatek, who reached the last four in Melbourne three years ago.

The Pole has pummelled her competition thus far at the Australian Open without dropping a set, much like Raducanu. Ex-world No1 Swiatek has come out on top in all three of her encounters with the Brit so far, their most recent match being in the quarter-finals of last year's Stuttgart Open.

And it seems Murray will be among those rooting for Raducanu as she aims to make history Down Under. And Andy won't be too far away given he's on assignment to coach Novak Djokovic for the first Grand Slam of 2025.