The Princess of Wales has issued a heartfelt message to tennis legend Andy Murray after he was denied a final appearance at Wimbledon following Emma Raducanu’s withdrawal from their planned mixed doubles match later tonight.

Murray, 37, was due to play alongside Raducanu this evening at the All England Club but the 21-year-old said she had “some stiffness” in her right wrist.

Princess Kate, an avid tennis fan, posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s social media accounts the message: “An incredible Wimbledon career comes to an end. You should be so very proud @andy_murray. On behalf of all of us, thank you! C”.

The news would have come as a huge disappointment to ticket-holders but also to the tennis legend, whose career was celebrated on Centre Court on Thursday after a first-round men’s doubles defeat alongside his brother Jamie.

Sir Andy made a late decision to ask Raducanu to play mixed doubles on Tuesday evening as he looked to prolong his final Wimbledon and was excited about the opportunity.

This was the last time Sir Andy was going to play at Wimbledon time before retiring later this year.

The 21-year-old, though, said in a statement: “Unfortunately I woke up with some stiffness in my right wrist this morning, so therefore I have decided to make the very tough decision to withdraw from the mixed doubles tonight.

“I’m disappointed as I was really looking forward to playing with Andy but got to take care.”

Murray could not find a replacement partner under tournament rules because the draw had already been made.

The 37-year-old’s mother, Judy Murray called the news that Raducanu was no longer playing alongside her son as “astonishing” on X.