This video can not be played
Wimbledon 2024: Andy Murray discusses his mixed doubles match up with Emma Raducanu
Andy Murray will play with Emma Raducanu in a superstar mixed doubles partnership as part of his Wimbledon farewell.
Murray, 37, is playing at the Championships for the final time before retiring later this year.
The two-time men's singles champion decided on Tuesday he was not fit enough to play in the singles after a recent back operation.
Murray will play in the men's doubles alongside older brother Jamie and has now also opted to join forces with fellow Briton Raducanu in an eye-catching pairing.
Asked after practice on Wednesday how it came about, Murray said: "I was chatting to my team and discussing mixed, so I messaged her coach and asked if he thought it might be something she’d be up for doing. He said it was worth asking, so I did."
Despite Murray's worries he had messaged Raducanu too late in the day, he said: "Thankfully, I got a quick reply.
"She said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it’. That was it."
Andy Murray won his first Grand Slam title at the 2012 US Open, with Emma Raducanu following suit in New York nine years later
Murray played with American great Serena Williams in the 2019 mixed doubles at Wimbledon, describing it as a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity.
Playing alongside 2021 US Open champion Raducanu is set to be another special occasion in the final weeks of his illustrious career.
"I chatted a bit with my team about [mixed doubles] and they said 'what exactly are you trying to get out of it?'" Murray said.
"Firstly, we want to be competitive in the matches – and playing with another Brit was going to be something that would be nice."
He added Raducanu is "obviously one of the top British players" and was "top of the list" as a doubles partner.
Speaking after she won in the singles on Wednesday, Raducanu said teaming up with Murray will fulfil a childhood dream.
"My doubles record isn't exactly the longest or the most vast but I couldn’t say no," the 2021 US Open champion said.
"It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a young girl.
"Andy’s a hero to us all. It's a real gift and a real honour that he asked me."
The mixed doubles is set to start on Friday, with first-round matches also being played on Saturday.
The British pair have been drawn against China's Zhang Shuai and El Salvador's Marcelo Arevalo.
Murray's opening men's doubles match with Jamie is third match on Centre Court on Thursday.
Listen: Sporting Giants podcast – Andy Murray
Watch: Andy Murray – Will to win
This video can not be played
Andy Murray: 'Disappointed' not to be playing Wimbledon singles
Live scores, results and order of play
Get tennis news sent straight to your phone
Comments can not be loaded
To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser
Cavendish breaks Tour de France stage record
Chasing the 'Ghost' – a superstar struck down by lightning
Bell leads England to ODI clean sweep over New Zealand
Coldplay light up the Pyramid Stage
The legendary band returned as Glastonbury headliners for a record-breaking fifth time
Global megastar SZA's debut set
Expect to be wowed by the critically acclaimed US singer's showstopper performance
Dua Lipa's unmissable pop party
Watch how the global superstar turned the Pyramid Stage into a gigantic dance floor
Country pop queen, Shania Twain, impresses Worthy Farm
The Canadian icon performed to thousands in the coveted Legends slot
Chasing the 'Ghost' – a superstar struck down by lightning
'We all want it' – Will Southgate have new gameplan? Video
Highlights: Raducanu dominant in win over Mertens. Video
'To win Olympic gold I need to beat the best sprinter ever'
'Why football at Euros is different to what we're used to'
Guardiola? Klopp? Will USA stick or twist before 2026 World Cup?
Glamorgan tie with Gloucestershire when chasing world record 593
'Banks replica' – was this 'one of great saves in Euros history'?
Turkey keeper Gunok's 'wonderful' save denies Austria late equaliser. Video
Time to 'stand up and take notice' as Dutch find 'spark'
Fuelling the Tour de France: Secrets of the team kitchens
'I was at rock bottom' – redemption for tearful Ronaldo at 'last Euros'
France's 'luck' continues as Mbappe struggles with mask
'It just will not happen!' – Ronaldo in tears after extra-time penalty saved. Video
Palmer a 'must'? Time for Gordon? What next for 'archaic' England?
Premier League clubs spend £245m around PSR 'deadline'
'Nice to give a bit back' – Bellingham to critics
Ice baths at 2am and push-ups in the shower – life with Ronaldo's Portugal
'I deserved a fight-off' – Cook devastated after Olympic omission
Panenka – the penalty that killed a career and started a feud
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
