‘Matches with Williams and Federer are brilliant’: Andy Murray says tennis lacks mixed-gender events

British tennis star Andy Murray has suggested that more mixed-gender events on tennis tours, involving top stars like Serena Williams and Roger Federer, will help to increase the sport’s popularity.

The three-time Grand Slam winner said that tennis competitions “miss a bit of a trick” by not including mixed doubles events into their program.

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“I think sports miss a bit of a trick with this stuff,” said Murray, who is taking part in the Battle of the Brits exhibition event featuring male and female tennis players.

The 33-year-old recalled the Hopman Cup tournament as a “brilliant event” which saw male and female players performing together.

“The Hopman Cup, for example, was a brilliant event in my opinion. The players enjoyed it. I played there a bunch of times and I loved it. Putting match-ups in tennis like Serena Williams and Roger Federer on the same court, it is so brilliant for our sport,” Murray added, stressing that modern tennis should embrace more mixed-gender competitions.

The former British number one player is planning to return to the ATP tour next month with the US Open being his first major event following a lengthy break.

He has not played on the ATP Tour since winning the European Open in Antwerp last November as he was forced to take a hiatus due to injuries.