Venus Williams to play in Wimbledon mixed doubles alongside Jamie Murray

Two of tennis’ most famous families will join forces once again at Wimbledon, with Venus Williams playing mixed doubles alongside Jamie Murray after the pair had a late wildcard entry accepted.

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The 42-year-old Williams has not played on tour since August 2021, and there has been speculation she could be easing herself back into tennis before the US Open, which starts at the end of August.

Murray has won the mixed doubles twice at Wimbledon – with Jelena Jankovic in 2007 and Martina Hingis in 2017 – while Williams reached the final in 2006 alongside Bob Bryan. She has also won the women’s doubles six times with her sister Serena to go alongside the five singles titles she has at SW19.

Andy Murray and Serena Williams paired up in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2019, when they reached the third round. Now it is the turn of their siblings, who will play New Zealand’s Michael Venus and Poland’s Alicja Rosolska in the first round.

Kyle Edmund will make his long-awaited return from injury in the event, as he partners Olivia Nicholls. The former British No 1 has been sidelined since October 2020 with a knee problem, but appears to be nearing full fitness at last. The British duo will face the American pair Coco Gauff and Jack Sock in their opener.

Britain’s Neal Skupski and the American Desirae Krawczyk, the defending champions, are the second seeds behind Ena Shibahara of Japan and Dutchman Jean-Julien Rojer.