WIMBLEDON: After dropping hints about pairing up with Andy Murray, it has been confirmed that Serena Williams will play the mixed doubles at Wimbledon alongside the Brit.
The 37-year-old joked with the media following her first round win on Tuesday, but stayed coy about it she intended to or not. Saying they she hasn’t spoken with Murray recently. However, less than two hours after those comments the pairing has been finally confirmed.
Murray is currently on the comeback from his second hip surgery and is focusing on the doubles. In his comeback tournament at the Fever-Tree Championships, he won the doubles title alongside Spain’s Feliciano Lopez. Since then, the former world No.1 has endured difficulty teaming up with a female colleague at the Grass-Court major. Originally asking Ash Barty, who declined to focus more on the singles.
“She’s arguably the best player ever,” Murray told reporters last week about Williams. “She would be a pretty solid partner.”
It will be the first time the American will play the discipline at Wimbledon since winning the title back in 1998 with Max Mirnyl. Overall, Williams has only played six grand slam mixed doubles tournaments in her career with five of those taking place before 2000. Nevertheless, she is an accomplished doubles player. Winning 14 major titles with her sister Venus.
There are however some concerns over how Williams will last playing in two draws at Wimbledon. This season she has been troubled with issues concerning her knees and elbows. Her first round triumph in Wimbledon was only her 13th match of the season.
“You just have to play it by ear. I haven’t felt this good in months, almost five months. I know my body really well. I know my limits. Something is off, I’ll know that it’s off.” She said.
“But so far I literally haven’t felt like this since February.”
The draw for the mixed doubles will be made on Wednesday.
