Jamie Murray admits he couldn't say no twice to Venus Williams and insists 'we're better' than Andy/Serena double-act

The new all-star double-act in tennis is in need of a name - suggestions welcome.

“Murrena” tripped off the tongue or bounced off the racket when Andy Murray and Serena Williams pooled their considerable resources at Wimbledon in 2019 - but what should Jamie and Venus be called?

“Murrus” could be in danger of being misspelled as mucus and “Vemur” sounds rather like femur, a bone the top players wouldn’t want to injure. While the debate continues, Murray and Williams are intent on having as much fun off the court as on it, just like their younger siblings did.

At their media conference after the first-round victory in the mixed doubles the pair were asked their intentions: in it to win it or content simply to go further than the third round achieved by Andy and Serena?

“What kind of question is that?” said Williams in mock outrage. “We’re in it for a stroll. Come on!”

Then Murray, winking at his partner, said: “We’re better than these other two, aren’t we? Yes, we want to win it.”

It was cheering to see Williams all smiles in this knockabout mode. She cut a sombre figure after early exits in the singles at the previous two Wimbledons. And she turned the questioner’s inquiry back on him: “Are you going to write a great article or just a halfway-decent one?” “I’m going to do what I usually do,” he replied.

Williams has won seven Slam singles titles and 16 at doubles, women’s and mixed, so you imagine that at 42 she’s not going to get back out of bed for just anyone - the prospect must be appealing.

Murray has seven titles, men’s and mixed, to his name and one more will take him clear of Virginia Wade as the most decorated Brit of the post-war era. He seemed surprised when The Scotsman informed him of this, saying: “Well, if