December 14 - Andy Roddick and Serena Williams (pictured) want to represent the United States at London 2012 when mixed doubles makes its return to the Olympic programme after an absence of 88 years.



But they could face pressure from Serena's sister, Venus, who is discussing a partnership with American doubles star Bob Bryan.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) last week confirmed that mixed doubles would feature at the All England Club in Wimbledon, the first time it will have been included in the Games since Paris in 1924.

Roddick, who has lost three Wimbledon singles finals to Roger Federer, approached Serena Williams, the world number and a three-timme winner of Wimbledon, as soon as the news broke.

"It's confirmed," Roddick said on Twitter.

"serenajwilliams and andyroddick teaming up for mixed doubles at 2012 games."

Both players have already indicated that they consider winning their respective singles titles at the London Olympics as their main priorities over the coming years.

Bryan, who next season is poised with his brother Mike to overtake Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde's world record of 61 titles, hopes to partner Venus, he revealed, also on Twitter.

He said: "It's not confirmed yet.

"But if Bob and VenusWilliams play in 2012, we'll smoke Andy Roddick and Serena Williams."

The winners the last time that mixed doubles was held in the Olympics were another American pair, Hazel Wightman and Richard Williams, who was more famous as a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.

Shortly after the ship hit the iceberg, Williams freed a trapped passenger from a cabin by breaking down a door.

He was reprimanded by a steward, who threatened to fine him for destroying White Star Line property, an event that inspired a scene in James Cameron's 1997 film Titanic.

Williams remained on the doomed liner almost until the very end before being washed overboard by a wave and then managing to clamber onto a lifeboat.

When he was rescued a surgeon wanted to remove Williams' leg because it was so badly injured but he refused.

Later that year, Williams won the US mixed doubles, the first of six Grand Slam titles he claimed during his career, including the singles crown at the US Open in 1914 and 1916.


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