Sir Andy Murray to team up with Serena Williams in mixed doubles
Written by News on 03/07/2019
Sir Andy Murray will team up with Serena Williams for mixed doubles at Wimbledon.
His management team confirmed the news on Tuesday evening after the pair had teased fans with the possibility.
The 32-year-old is playing alongside Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the men’s doubles but had been seeking a partner for the mixed competition, which starts on Friday.
Sir Andy won Wimbledon singles titles in 2013 and 2016 but is currently limited to playing doubles as he returns to full fitness after career-saving hip surgery in January.
Williams had been asked by reporters on Tuesday for a percentage of how likely the partnership was.
The 37-year-old said: “I don’t know. If you guys really want it, then maybe I’ll do it.
“All right, done, just for you guys. Don’t forget. If you guys want it.”
Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, previously said she wanted to see how her knee fared before committing.
But she showed no signs of the injury as she beat Giulia Gatto-Monticone in straight sets on Tuesday, strengthening speculation that she would join Murray on the court.
Williams has won 16 Grand Slam doubles titles, including the 1998 mixed at Wimbledon with Max Mirnyi.
Murray had said during the weekend that Williams would be a “pretty solid partner”, adding: “Obviously she’s arguably the best player ever”.
He has won favour from Williams in the past for speaking about feminism and she praised him on Tuesday.
She said: “There are so many things to be admired. Above all, he really stands out, he really speaks up about women’s issues, no matter what.”
The Murray-Williams collaboration was welcomed by many, including former British tennis star Greg Rusedski, who wrote on Twitter: “I am going to put it out there – Andy Murray and Serena Williams will win the Wimbledon mixed together this year! He couldn’t get a better partner!”
(c) Sky News 2019: Sir Andy Murray to team up with Serena Williams in mixed doubles
