Andy Murray will play mixed doubles with Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon.
The Scot’s team announced the surprise pairing have been granted a wildcard for the competition, just a day after Murray had withdrawn from the singles competition at the All England Club.
Surgey on a spinal cyst less than two weeks ago had put Murray’s participation at what is set to be his final Wimbledon in doubt.
He left it until the last minute to decide whether or not to face Tomas Machac in the singles before concluding that he wasn’t fit enough for the demands of that competition.
With the doubles starting later, Murray had confirmed that he did intend to play with his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles and he has now added the mixed doubles to his schedule as he looks to make the most of his Wimbledon farewell.
The 37-year-old has competed in mixed doubles in the past, famously playing alongside Serena Williams in 2019, with the pair reaching the third round.
He said that he had discussed playing with Raducanu over the last couple of years and was looking forward to playing alongside her.
“We’d spoken about it a few years ago during the Covid year, but obviously both of us ended up doing quite well in singles so it didn’t happen,” he said.
“And then yesterday I was chatting to my team, they were discussing mixed and then last night I messaged her coach and just said, ‘Look, do you think this is something that maybe she’d be up for doing?’ He said it was worth asking. I asked her and she said yeah she’d be up for it.
“It should be fun. I have played mixed doubles a few times when I was young and then the last time was with Serena. I really enjoyed it, it’s something we rarely get to do.
“And to get a chance to do it with Emma, well it’s my last chance to do it, so it should be good.”
Speaking earlier this week, Raducanu had revealed how much of an inspiration Murray had been for her as she started out on her career.
“I think the biggest advice is just how he’s always taken care of his operations, how he manages his people.
“I haven’t really spoken to him so much. I think for me it’s just watching him operate day to day, watching him be absolutely on it with everything. Even in practice now, he’s so on it to the minute.
“I think me, when I was a bit younger maybe, showing up 15 minutes before practice to do a few arm curls, swing my hand around and warm up. He’s there for an hour and a half doing treatment. He just sets really good examples.”
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