Andy Murray made the ultimate mixed doubles offer to Ashleigh Barty: Let's play Wimbledon together.
Declining the former Wimbledon champion's request was "the hardest decision," Barty revealed.
More: Barty One Win From No. 1
"When Andy texted me asking me to play, I was a little bit shocked, to be honest," Barty told the media in Birmingham. "Obviously I would have loved to have grabbed the opportunity to play with Andy, and I think it was the hardest decision I have ever had to make as to whether I'm playing an event or not."
Had Barty accepted it would have created a doubles dream team of two-time Wimbledon singles champion Murray and Barty, who won the 2011 Wimbledon girls' title at age 15, claimed the 2019 Nottingham title on grass and will play for the Birmingham title and the world No. 1 ranking tomorrow.
Though flattered by the former world No. 1's offer, Barty, who plans to play Wimbledon doubles, said she respectfully declined because playing three events would be too taxing.
"I took some time to think about it, and playing three events is just a little bit too much," Barty said. "When a champion asks you to play at any stage, I was very flattered and honoured, and I said to him, 'I think there are some pretty good options out there for you'. I'm sure he'll find someone.
"It was nice to see him playing yesterday. You can see how much he missed it, how much he loves it. I think the whole world was watching. I don't think there was a person in the tennis world around the planet that wasn't happy to see him out there again."
Murray, who partnered Laura Robson to the mixed doubles silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics staged at Wimbledon, told the media at Queen's Club he's still seeking a Wimbledon mixed doubles partner.
"I would like to, yeah," Murray said. "I have spoken to a couple of players but I've been rejected a couple of times so far."
That statement prompted a flurry of offers springing from social media:
The Murray family already owns a Wimbledon mixed doubles crown: older brother Jamie Murray partnered Jelena Jankovic to win the 2007 Wimbledon mixed championship.
Photo credit: Sydney International Facebook