Andy Murray has hinted he will team up with
Serena Williams at
Wimbledon after confirming he will enter the mixed doubles.
Rumours of Murray and Williams forming an eye-catching partnership have been rife since the latter confirmed she was “available” on Saturday and after a practice session on Monday, Murray said: “I am definitely playing in the mixed, I have got my partner …well, I am 90% sure.”
Murray, who is also taking part in the men’s doubles alongside Pierre-Hugues Herbert, suggested the pairing will be finalised before Wednesday’s entry deadline and asked if his partner was Williams, he said: “Possibly. I just need to just confirm it. I want to make sure before I say anything. I don’t want to say anything and it is not true. I will know for sure tomorrow.”
Murray’s opening men’s doubles match is set to take place on either Centre Court or No 1 Court because of concerns over his safety. The All England Club has been deliberating over where to schedule his return to Wimbledon six months after undergoing hip surgery, looking to balance the need to make singles matches a priority and the surge in interest his appearance will prompt.
With men’s doubles matches also played over the best of five sets, there is the potential for early damage to the playing surface on the show courts – all the more so because the turf on No 1 Court, which has been revamped with a £70m roof, has been questioned in some quarters. Ultimately Richard Lewis believes Murray’s safety will prove the decisive factor, highlighting the difficulties in using courts further away. “One of the major considerations for Andy, I think first match in particular, is safety,” the All England Club chief executive said. “That restricts the number of courts he can be on. He’s very popular. [It’s for the players] getting them to and from court. Getting them to court two for example, is a long way in the public area. It will be probable he will be on one of the show courts.”
There remains a chance, however, that the decision will be taken out of the All England Club’s hands. Herbert revealed a recent injury scare following his straight-sets defeat by Kevin Anderson on Monday but the Frenchman insisted he would be fit to partner Murray.
“I’m a little bit tired,” Herbert said. “Yesterday I had a tough time in my practice because I was scared for one of my quads. But when I did the medical tests, everything was fine. I’m more positive now that I played my match. I don’t want to imagine me having to say anything to Andy about an injury or anything.”