Andy Murray has said that Serena Williams would be a "solid" mixed-doubles partner at Wimbledon after the 23-time grand-slam champion raised the possibility of an unlikely collaboration.
Murray, the two-times singles champion at SW19, will pair with Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the men's doubles as he continues to make his comeback from hip surgery, but has yet to find a partner for the mixed.
World number one Ashleigh Barty turned him down, although he has since been inundated with offers, including one from Maria Sharapova.
Williams, who is gunning for an eighth singles title, said she was "available" and Murray, in typically dry fashion, revealed she would be an acceptable choice.
"Obviously she's arguably the best player ever," he said. "It would be a pretty solid partner."
Having initially being positive about the prospect, the 37-year-old, who has been battling knee problems, went coy after she was pressed further on it.
"I'm available. I'm feeling better now, so I'm definitely available," she said. "I mean, we just have to wait and see. I like to be tongue-in-cheek.
"I'm available. We just have to wait and see"@serenawilliams isn't ruling out partnering @andy_murray in the mixed doubles#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/yljPGKGsgL — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 29, 2019
"Let's see how my knee's going. I'm finally doing good. I don't want to, like, go back."
Having been at the top of the men's game for so long, Murray appreciates he might not be able to play with someone who is focused on singles as Williams will be.
"I've spoken to a number of players about playing," he added. "Obviously the one thing with the players that are in the singles is that they may (focus on singles) – that's their priority. I understand that. I appreciate that.
"If I'm going to play mixed, which is the plan, you obviously want to be playing with someone who's going to be there for the whole event, and they're in it to try to win matches and win the event.
"I appreciate with singles players that's not always going to be the case."
Murray is playing just his third tournament following his hip resurfacing in January and was unsure whether he would want to feature in both men's and mixed doubles.
But he has decided he is keen to play with a female partner.
"I do want to play," he said. "All the conversations I've had with my team and stuff, I do want to play. We've had a number of conversations with a few players. The plan's definitely to play.
"Conditions look like it's supposed to be good for the fortnight, which is a positive thing.
Nice mixed double team... https://t.co/z8Fe5I44VO — Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) June 29, 2019
"I got spooked a little bit by 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. They get backed up a lot. It's not easy.
"Obviously I haven't played lots of tennis. That was really the reason for kind of not being certain on it.
"But with the weather looking like it's going to be pretty good, I'm up for it."
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