Andy Murray is hoping he can form a mixed doubles partnership with fellow Brit Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon this year, but insists their efforts in the singles will have to be prioritised. The famous grass-court event returns next month, albeit without ranking points.
Despite this, both Murray and Raducanu have confirmed they will be in attendance, with the former hoping they can link in the mixed doubles event. The all-British partnership between the pair would no doubt prove a fan favourite back on home soil.
According to Murray the idea was floated last year, but was eventually put to one side as both enjoyed successful runs in the singles draw.
Of course this year will be no different, and both Murray and Raducanu will no doubt be prioritising their efforts in the men’s and women’s singles. Though, if the opportunity arises the Scot revealed he would ‘love’ to form a partnership with the US Open champion.
He said: “Last year we talked about it, but we both ended up doing well in the singles. I would love to play with Emma at some stage. I'm sure we will both focus on having good runs in the singles, but yeah – I'd love to do that.”
Ahead of this year’s event, Murray has firmly prioritised his efforts at SW19 after skipping the French Open in order to kick off his grass season earlier. The Scot got off to the perfect start on Monday after easing to a straight sets victory in 57 minutes against Austrian Jurij Rodionov at the Surbiton Trophy.
After looking in good touch in his round of 32 clash, the former world No. 1 revealed he has ‘high expectations' for the 2022 grass campaign. Murray commented: “I have high expectations of myself and lofty goals for the coming weeks, which I discuss with my team regularly.
"I'm not going to share them now, but I've trained hard, I feel grass is my best surface and I've prepared as best as I can. I can't control my results or performances at Wimbledon right now, but I can control my attitude on the court, and I can guarantee I'll give it 100 per cent to have a good run.”
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A key task for Murray prior to Wimbledon is gaining seeding for the event to avoid an early tournament clash against the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The Scot though admitted he is unsure on how seeding will work out due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, and having no ranking points on offer.
“I guess if I had a good run next week, or at Queens, that would give me a chance, but who knows what the seeding will be like?” He added. “Wimbledon can do whatever they want now the ATP have taken the points away!
“I spoke to some of the Russian players in Madrid and I feel for them. I don't believe they are in favour of what's happening in Ukraine, but I appreciate it's not that easy for them to speak publicly about it.”
