Wimbledon: Venus Williams and Jamie Murray win mixed doubles opener

Venus Williams and Jamie Murray won their first game on Court One.

In an entertaining evening match, the wildcards defeated Alicja and Michael Venus.

American five-time singles champion Williams is competing after a long time away from the game.

Williams said she had looked at it for a while and that he played hard to get.

It was a successful partnership.

There were lots of people at the net.

With sister Serena's appearance in the singles this week, there was a sense that fans were looking forward to seeing Venus for the last time.

The partnership clicked, with Murray flawless on serve and Williams sharp at the net.

The only thing they needed to do was take the first set and then take it to the decider.

At one point a huge Mexican wave erupted, which even the umpire could not stop, and so Williams proceeded to serve even though the party was still going on.

The roof came on, the decibels went up, and Jamie Murray launched three ace in a row. The crowd went nuts when they broke in the fourth game and Murray served out the victory.

At the end of the hug, Williams looked emotional, as if she was just taking it all in that she was back on the grass.

It was like, "Oh, my god, wow". I won a match. I'm not that type of player. She said she expected to win.

We wanted to win, but when I sat there, it felt real. I could feel something in my heart.

It reminded me of another Murray-Williams team, with Andy and Serena teaming up at SW19 three years ago.

Williams won titles at the 1998 Australian and French Open. She appeared in the mixed doubles here last year, but her campaign ended early because of an injury to her partner.

The 36-year-old Murray has won five mixed doubles Grand Slam titles, including two at Wimbledon in 2007 and 2017:

Aside from the joy of being back on the grass, being back on the tennis court is having another advantage for Williams, who has been busy with her business interests.

She thinks it's easier to be on tour than off tour. I think I should go back to sleep.