Tennis world erupts over Venus Williams news at Wimbledon
Tennis fans have taken to social media to share their excitement after Venus Williams made a last-minute wildcard request to play in the Wimbledon mixed doubles.
The five-time Wimbledon singles champion is set to team up with British doubles specialist, Jamie Murray, in a thrilling development for fans.
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Venus sent fans into a frenzy after making a shock appearance in the lead-up to the All England Club grand slam, however, she revealed that she was only there to watch little sister Serena play.
Unfortunately, Serena crashed out in the first round of the singles at SW19 on Tuesday after squandering a 4-0 lead in the third set tiebreak against France's Harmony Tan, before losing 7-5 1-6 7-6 (10/7).
While Venus has opted not to follow in the footsteps of her little sister by entering the singles draw, she is set to pair up with Murray for the first time.
Venus had not been expected to be at Wimbledon this year, with the 42-year-old announcing via Instagram earlier this year that she was not planning on competing at the All England club.
“No I’m not playing but I’ll be watching, I’ll be watching Serena," she wrote.
At 42, many fans thought they may have seen the last of Venus at a grand slam, until footage of her practising on the outside courts at the All England Club set tongues wagging.
Unsurprisingly, news of her plans to partner Murray in the mixed doubles has sent the tennis world into meltdown on social media.
Venus Williams, 42, is to join her sister Serena in making a return to Wimbledon. She and Jamie Murray have requested a mixed doubles wild card, which will of course be granted by the All England Club. Kyle Edmund also coming back with Olivia Nicholls. https://t.co/Ogemk9xkuQ
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) June 28, 2022
BREAKING 🚨: Venus Williams is set for a surprise Wimbledon appearance after the 42-year-old requested a late wildcard to play alongside Jamie Murray in the mixed doubles. 🎾 pic.twitter.com/F8FIBWbs4q
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 28, 2022
The Venus comeback has begun!!
Venus has accepted a last minute wildcard into the Wimbledon mixed doubles draw and will play alongside doubles specialist, Britain’s Jamie Murray. 💪💪#venuswilliams #jamiemurray #Wimbledon #mixeddoubles #sw19 pic.twitter.com/kuLwc7MhrR— Isaac (@Isaac_Williams2) June 28, 2022
So excited for this. I love Venus Williams and her playing with a Brit makes it sweeter. Go team Williams/Murray team up. I guess this is mark 2 after their siblings played together a few years ago. https://t.co/hxLbodhPtw
— Jammy (@Mikitajam) June 28, 2022
Venus Williams & Jamie Murray for mixed!
2019 Serena & Andy can’t have it all their own way 😅— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownSport) June 28, 2022
Apparently, Venus Williams is set to play mixed doubles with Jamie Murray at Wimbledon??? She didn't lie when she said she will surprise us oo 🎉
— Gerry (@Gerry_BN) June 28, 2022
Omg Venus and Jamie 🥳🥳🥳
So great to see Venus back and a fantastic partner in Jamie
Good luck 🤞 @Venuseswilliams @jamie_murray #Wimbledon #TeamJamus https://t.co/Cbi4bbDP8v— David (Call me 'D') 🌻🐘Let's go The Champ Serena (@gladding) June 28, 2022
Venus Williams and Jamie Murray set to link up
Williams and Murray are expected to be officially granted a wildcard spot when the list of entries are finalised at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
The draw is also set to take place later that day.
Venus and Jamie will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Serena and Andy Murray, who made it to the third round of the mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2019.
Williams has been on an extended break from competitive tennis, having not played on tour since last August when she pulled out of the US Open with a leg injury.
Murray, 36, is a former World No.1 doubles player and two-time mixed doubles champion at Wimbledon, with his last triumph coming with Martina Hingis in 2017.
The Brit has also teamed up with Brazils' Bruno Soares in the men's doubles.
A title triumph in either of those events will see Murray surpass the British record for grand slam titles of seven that he shares with Virginia Wade.
with agencies
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