Venus Williams returns to partner Jamie Murray in Wimbledon mixed doubles

Venus Williams will make her Wimbledon return after the five-time singles champion was granted a wildcard entry for the mixed doubles with Jamie Murray. The 42-year-old has not played on the WTA Tour since a first-round defeat at the Chicago Open last year due to a leg injury. However, despite not entering either the women’s singles or women’s doubles in SW19, Williams was pictured arriving at the championships with a sports bag on Sunday. And it was confirmed on Wednesday she would be teaming up with Murray, with the pair facing a first-round clash against Alicja Rosolska and Michael Venus on Friday.

Both Williams and Murray have enjoyed mixed doubles success previously at Wimbledon. Murray is a two-time winner having partnered Jelena Jankovic in 2007 and Martina Hingis in 2017 – beating Michael Venus in the latter final. Williams meanwhile, reached the final in 2006 alongside Bob Bryan. She has won the women’s doubles with sister Serena Williams six times. This is not the first All England Club partnership between the two hugely successful tennis families either, with Serena and Andy Murray reaching the third round at Wimbledon in 2019.

Last year, Venus bowed out at the second round in the singles following defeat to Ons Jabeur but vowed she would return to SW19 – a promise she has now fulfilled. She follows the return of her sister Serena, who suffered a surprise singles defeat in the opening round against Harmony Tan on day two of the tournament.