Serena Williams to partner Andy Murray in Wimbledon mixed doubles

Andy Murray has found a mixed doubles partner – 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams.

The Brit had been turned down by a number of top-ranked women in the lead-up to Wimbledon, including world No.1 Ash Barty and top-ranked doubles player Kristina Mladenovic.

But Serena Williams has accepted his offer, which will see her play mixed doubles at a Grand Slam for only the second time in 20 years. The 37-year-old American has only previously entered the mixed doubles draw once at Wimbledon, winning the title alongside Belarusian Max Mirnyi in 1998.

Williams is an accomplished doubles player, having won 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles with sister Venus as well as two mixed doubles titles early in her career.

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“We’re a lot alike on the court,” Williams said of Murray after a 6-2 7-5 first-round singles win against Italian qualifer Giulia Gatto-Monticone on Tuesday.

“I’ve always liked that about him. Talking about work ethic, his work ethic is just honestly off the charts. That’s something I’ve always respected about him. His fitness, everything.

“To do what he’s done in an era where there are so many other great male tennis players, so much competition, to rise above it, not many people have done it. He’s actually one of the few.

“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.

“You can tell he has a really strong woman in his life. I think above all that is just fantastic.”

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Murray is focusing on doubles as he returns from career-saving hip surgery.

The 32-year-old is partnering Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in men’s doubles, beginning their Wimbledon campaign  against Frenchman Ugo Humbert and Romanian Marius Copil on Thursday.

The mixed doubles draw is released on Wednesday.