Federer, players excited to watch Murray and Serena in mixed doubles

LONDON—The excitement around the mixed doubles pairing of Andy Murray and Serena Williams extends to the locker room, with several players commenting on the impromptu team entering the competition.

The speculation began during the Queen's Club, when Murray told press that he had been turned down by the women he had so far asked to play mixed doubles. Serena then mentioned she was willing to play, and the partnership was announced the evening before teams are required to enter the competition.

That's an amazing partnership," said new No. 1 Ash Barty, who was the first player Murray asked but declined because she had entered singles and women's doubles. "They're going to have a lot of fun. I don't think there's any team in the draw that wants to play them. I think they're certainly going to be a force to be reckoned with, that's for sure."

Roger Federer says he will be watching.

"It's good for mixed doubles. It's good for men's doubles, or doubles in general, that Andy is just playing doubles and mixed...," he said. "To have Andy play with Serena, I mean, that's going to be exciting, to say the least."

Former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka joked she had wanted to partner with Murray but did say he and Serena would be a top-quality pairing.

"I mean, good luck to everybody else," she said. "It's going to be a tough, tough, tough one to beat, you know. They both take it seriously. But I feel like it's going to be just a pleasure for people to watch. You know, it's going to be historic. So I'll be definitely watching."

But all this attention also brings pressure, noted Milos Raonic. Murray and Serena haven't played together before—they were still attempting to arrange their first practice the day before their opener—but are still the most prominent team in the competition.

"I think it's one of those things that's either going to turn out incredibly well, and be very exciting, or it might sort of come up short," said Raonic. "I think people are expecting a lot from the two of them, especially with Andy already winning [the Queen's Club. Serena... she's won here before in mixed. So I think there is a lot expected of them."

While mixed doubles is rarely on the biggest courts, their first round is expected to be on Centre Court or No. 1 Court.

"Today I heard they are playing together. That's very nice, first," said Simona Halep. "Hope they put them on Centre Court because everyone is going to watch it."

Murray and Serena will open against Andreas Mies and Alexa Guarachi.