Murray pairs up with Serena Williams in Wimbledon mixed doubles
By Nate Williams,
London -By Nate Williams, - Former Wimbledon singles champions Andy Murray and Serena Williams will pair up in the mixed doubles event, which begins on Thursday.
The grand slam winning duo will face Andreas Mies of Germany and Alexa Guarachi of Chile in the first round which was drawn Wednesday.
They are in the same half of the draw as top seeds Bruno Soares of Brazil and American Nicole Melichar.
Murray, who claimed the individual crown in 2013 and 2016, is focusing on doubles this year to help strengthen his match fitness on a return from hip surgery.
The 32-year-old Briton won the men's doubles with Feliciano Lopez at the Queen’s Club in his first competitive event since January and French four-time grand slam winner Pierre-Hugues Herbert will be his partner at Wimbledon.
Murray was turned down by women’s world number one Ashleigh Barty for the mixed event but he believes that Williams is a “solid partner.”
“I've spoken to a number of players about playing,” Murray said this week.
“I think when the top singles players are involved in the doubles, it does draw a little bit more attention to it. That's something that I think will be a positive thing for tennis.”
Seven-time singles champion Williams has also had injury problems with her knee.
Before her first round singles win at Wimbledon on Tuesday, the 37-year-old American had not appeared since the French Open.
Her decision to join Murray was also based on match fitness and her admiration of the Scot’s attitude on court.
“We're a lot alike on the court,” Williams said when asked about pairing up with Murray.
“I've always liked that about him. His work ethic is just honestly off the charts. That's something I've always respected about him.”
Murray, who claimed the individual crown in 2013 and 2016, is focusing on doubles this year to help strengthen his match fitness on a return from hip surgery.
The 32-year-old Briton won the men's doubles with Feliciano Lopez at the Queen’s Club in his first competitive event since January and French four-time grand slam winner Pierre-Hugues Herbert will be his partner at Wimbledon.
Murray was turned down by women’s world number one Ashleigh Barty for the mixed event but he believes that Williams is a “solid partner.”
“I've spoken to a number of players about playing,” Murray said this week.
“I think when the top singles players are involved in the doubles, it does draw a little bit more attention to it. That's something that I think will be a positive thing for tennis.”
Seven-time singles champion Williams has also had injury problems with her knee.
Before her first round singles win at Wimbledon on Tuesday, the 37-year-old American had not appeared since the French Open.
Her decision to join Murray was also based on match fitness and her admiration of the Scot’s attitude on court.
“We're a lot alike on the court,” Williams said when asked about pairing up with Murray.
“I've always liked that about him. His work ethic is just honestly off the charts. That's something I've always respected about him.”