Venus Williams opens Wimbledon return with mixed doubles win

Williams revealed to reporters after the match that she had no intentions of actually playing when she arrived on-site at Wimbledon, but was inspired by both her sister Serena's comeback and returning to the site of some of her greatest career triumphs.

Her pairing with Murray, who's a former world No. 1 in doubles and a winner of seven majors himself, came about at the 11th hour—they were awarded a wild card on-site—but it was a long time coming.

"I've been trying to play with him forever. He plays hard to get," she said with a laugh.

"I saw the grass and I got excited," Williams continued. "I was at the French Open, it's a beautiful event, but my heart didn't beat the same way. Definitely I couldn't have guessed that I would be here right now, taking it at the last minute. I haven't played in a year so you don't know what you're going to get. Practice is so much different from a match. It's not easy, physically or mentally or anything."