UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - World number four Andy Murray says the attitude to tennis at the Olympics has changed a lot in the past 20 years and a gold medal is among the sport's most sought after prizes

Record ID: 331137

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - World number four Andy Murray says the attitude to tennis at the Olympics has changed a lot in the past 20 years and a gold medal is among the sport's most sought after prizes
  • Date: 22nd June 2012
  • Summary: THE OLYMPIC RINGS
  • Embargoed: 7th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA943J8MTSEQGA0MFIQOHAZQ0YC
  • Story Text: A grand slam may not be at stake but an Olympic medal is definitely among the most sought after prizes in tennis because all the best players in the world are present, British world number four Andy Murray said on Thursday (June 21).
    The 25-year-old was speaking at the venue for the Olympic tennis tournament, Wimbledon, where he was unveiled at Team GB's first confirmed participant at the Games.
    The inclusion of tennis has widely been debated with critics arguing the Olympics are not the pinnacle of the sport with the four grand slams more valued.
    But Murray, who will be competing in his second Olympics, told a news conference the perception of tennis at the Games had changed markedly over the past two decades.
    "Maybe 15, 20-15 years ago a lot of the top players were missing the Olympics, whereas now, everybody plays. You're not going to get any of the top players skipping the Olympic Games," Murray said.
    "I've spoken to many guys, for example, Spanish players, like the fifth ranked Spanish player, that are missing out on the Olympics and they're gutted.
    "If you look at the reaction of the players at the last Olympics, for example Djokovic won bronze, he was in tears. You wouldn't be that happy if you lost in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
    "It means a lot to the players, when you're representing your country, it always does. And it (the Games) is definitely up there with the grand slams because all the top players are competing now."
    Murray suffered an early defeat at Beijing and admitted he did not deal well with the Games environment which was very different to what he had been use to on the ATP Tour.
    "When I played in the last Olympic Games, it was a bit of an eye opener," Murray said. "I maybe got wrapped up a bit too much in it. I was trying to see other sports and watch as many of the other athletes that I could. Because as a tennis player, in an individual sport, we're not use to being around that.
    "Having had the experience of last time, I would've learnt from that and do things a little bit differently this time. Hopefully that will contribute to a better performance because I was very disappointed when I finished so early in Beijing."
    Murray was also relishing the prospect of being part of a wider team for a change, away from his usual lifestyle as an individual competing around the world.
    The three-time grand slam finalist said he was looking forward to mixing with other Team GB athletes and hopefully learning from them.
    "I've met quite a lot of the boxers, I've learnt a lot from how they train, how disciplined they are with their eating, how structured their training methods are. I also get inspired by seeing other athletes," Murray added.
    Not every athlete competing at a home Olympics can boast they live within a brief stroll to their Games venue but for Murray that is a reality, meaning it would appear unlikely he will join the rest of Team GB in camping down at the Games village in East London.
    "I'd like to stay in the village this year; I live 15 minutes from Wimbledon as well so I kind of need to do what's best for the preparation," he said. "It depends how long it's going to take to get from the village to Wimbledon."
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