Andy Murray, Emma Raducanu discuss playing mixed doubles at Wimbledon

On Wednesday, Wimbledon's X account announced British stars Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu will pair up in mixed doubles.

Murray withdrew from singles play on Tuesday and recently indicated he will retire after the Paris Olympics. He and Raducanu had previously discussed playing mixed doubles in the COVID year, so he asked her about it again.

"Last night, 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," Murray said after a practice session on Wednesday, per ESPN. "It was quite late yesterday evening when I sent the message, it would have been after 9 p.m. so I was a bit worried she might have been in bed. But I got a quick reply. She said: 'Yeah, let's do it.' That was it."

Raducanu's quick reply shouldn't be a surprise, however. After defeating Elise Martens, 6-1, 6-2, on Wednesday, she told BBC Sport playing with two-time Wimbledon champion Murray is a "dream come true."

Murray teamed up with Serena Williams in mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2019, advancing to the third round. Raducanu, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, has less doubles experience than Williams. She has only played one doubles match in her WTA Tour career. Murray thinks they'll be competitive despite her inexperience.

"But she's a brilliant returner and great ball striker, so I'd imagine she'll deal with returning guys' serves well," Murray told Sky Sports. "And, when she's getting into exchanges at the back of the court, she'll be really good."

Regardless, it's rare to see two players of Raducanu's and Murray's caliber team up at the All England Club. British fans will likely enjoy watching the duo when mixed doubles start on Friday.