Serena Williams says enjoying blended doubles with Andy Murray was “one of many highlights” of her life.
Murray is enjoying at Wimbledon for the ultimate time this summer season and began his farewell with a loss alongside brother Jamie within the males’s doubles on Thursday.
The 37-year-old and Williams teamed up for blended doubles at Wimbledon in 2019, reaching round three.
Williams, 42, additionally mentioned Murray held a “particular place” in her coronary heart for standing up for girls.
In a video on X, she mentioned: “I had the pleasure of enjoying blended doubles by your facet, which was such a unbelievable expertise to do this at Wimbledon.
“It was actually one of many highlights of my life so I am simply so grateful that I had that have.”
Murray was celebrated on Centre Courtroom after Thursday’s defeat.
He watched a video montage of his profession after the match, leaving him in tears with hundreds of followers displaying their appreciation.
Throughout his profession, Murray has frequently spoken up for girls and in 2017 he famously corrected a journalist at Wimbledon who mentioned Sam Querrey was “the primary US participant to achieve a significant semi-final since 2009” – Murray interjected and mentioned “male participant”.
“I additionally maintain a particular place in my coronary heart to you since you all the time converse out a lot for girls and every thing that girls deserve,” Williams mentioned on X.
“You had been the chief in that and the issues you’ve got spoken up about.
“The stuff you mentioned about myself and Venus [Williams], so many issues about how we had been all the time so inspiring and what we meant to you – it actually went such a good distance in my coronary heart and I’ll all the time be glad about that.”
Murray, who remains to be set to function alongside fellow Briton Emma Raducanu within the blended doubles this week, will step into retirement as a three-time Grand Slam champion – successful Wimbledon twice and the US Open.
He’s additionally a two-time Olympic gold medallist and is about to compete on the Paris Video games this summer season.
“I’ve all the time been such a fan, as , and I am going to all the time be cheering for you and rooting you on in no matter you determine to do subsequent,” Williams mentioned.