For Raducanu, it will be her Grand Slam doubles debut. Her only previous tour-level doubles match was in Washington two years ago. Raducanu had suggested the idea of teaming up with Murray two years ago, telling BBC Breakfast, “We haven’t actually spoken about it but it’s something we feel we both want to do.”

The two played against each other in a Battle of the Brits event in the summer of 2020, held at the National Tennis Centre during the COVID-19 hiatus.

Murray made the tough decision to withdraw from singles at Wimbledon on Tuesday, as he could not recover from back surgery in time. He will, however, play men’s doubles with his brother Jamie on Thursday, with the mixed doubles beginning on Friday and Saturday.

Following her first-round win on Monday, Raducanu spoke about Murray’s influence, saying, “I think the biggest advice is just how he’s always taken care of his operations, how he manages his people… He just sets really good examples.”

Raducanu advanced to the third round of singles at Wimbledon with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 win over Belgian Elise Mertens. Since her remarkable US Open victory in 2021, Raducanu has faced fitness challenges but appeared in top form against Mertens, showing strong baseline play and celebrating each point enthusiastically.

The British wildcard quickly established a 5-0 lead against Mertens under Court One’s closed roof, energized by a passionate home crowd. Mertens managed to avoid a shutout but couldn’t stop Raducanu from securing the first set.

Raducanu broke Mertens’ serve in the third game of the second set and again to lead 4-1. Mertens held her serve to love in the next game but couldn’t prevent Raducanu from bringing up two match points with an ace and then winning on the first after Mertens hit long.

This marks the first time Raducanu has reached the third round of a Grand Slam since her US Open title win, raising hopes for a potential British women’s singles victory at Wimbledon, the first since Virginia Wade in 1977.

“I think I’m playing really good tennis. I’m really happy with the improvements I’ve made,” Raducanu said on court. “I knew all the hard yards and hard work I was doing this year would lead to something. I’m just so happy I’m able to reap some of the rewards here at Wimbledon.”