Murray-Serena mixed doubles pairing start as firm favourites

London: Andy Murray’s management team confirmed on Tuesday that the three-times Grand Slam singles champion will be joining forces with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon this year.

The two-time Wimbledon champion’s partnership with seven-time winner Williams make them instant favourites for the title.

Tuesday’s announcement ended days of speculation about who the British player will play mixed doubles with at the grasscourt major.

The all-star duo will play German Andreas Mies and Alexa Guarachi of Chile in the first round of the mixed doubles at Wimbledon.

Mies, 28, comes fresh from creating a major surprise partnering Kevin Krawietz to win the French Open title beating home hopes Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin in straight sets. American-born Guarachi, who is also 28, has a more modest record though she won the Swiss Open doubles final last year and reached the Istanbul Cup final this season.

Murray, who is easing his way back into the sport following a radical hip resurfacing, will partner Serena in an all-star partnership when the draw is announced on Wednesday. The Scot is already entered into the men’s doubles at Wimbledon where he is playing alongside France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

“We’re a lot alike on the court. I’ve always liked that about him,” Williams said of her fellow former world number one.

“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’s 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’s so many things to be admired.”

She added: “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.”

Murray had been searching for a mixed doubles partner but had complained that he had been turned down by a number of players.

“I do want to play,” the 32-year-old said on Saturday at a pre-Wimbledon media day. “We’ve had a number of conversations with a few players. Yeah, the plan’s definitely to play. “I was speaking to some of the doubles guys, asking them why they don’t play mixed. It was for the reason that they had some years where they’ve been backed up. Sometimes the mixed is not the priority to get on the court.”

Agence France-Presse