Ranking points are temporal. The lustre of Olympic gold is permanent. Which is why, Andy Murray revealed last night, he chose to exhale after his Wimbledon victory and let the recuperation process run its fullest course.
Relaxed and re-energised, the Scot was placed on parade last night for the first time since being named as the UK’s flag bearer for tonight’s Opening Ceremony in Rio. Advice has been received from past masters Chris Hoy and Steve Redgrave on which hand to use and how to engage. The trial run, in the presence of Princess Anne did not go so well. “I think she said: ‘make sure you don’t poke my eye out.’,” he revealed. Better luck second time around.
Yet it the pursuit of one gold, and perhaps two, that has brought Murray to Brazil. Ranking points have been sacrificed. Preparations targeted. He will face Serbia’s Viktor Troicki in the first round on Sunday, comforted that both Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal are in the opposite side of the draw. And eager for the kind of golden run that proved unforgettable four years ago.
“It was an amazing day for me,” he recounts. “A home Olympics is a once in a lifetime opportunity and to win a gold and a silver medal that day was one of the best days of my professional life. I never expected to do that I’d lost a tough final on the same court a few weeks before. The emotions from Wimbledon and the Olympics were polar opposites. It was probably the best day of my career.”
The silver then came in the mixed doubles with Laura Robson. This time his partner-in-crime will be elder brother Jamie when the duo from Dunblane aim to climb the podium in unison.
“That would mean a lot obviously,” his younger sibling said. “Something you think about but it’s not something you’re planning for because we might not. We’ve not done particularly well in the two Olympics we’ve played in before. But the two of us are better players and more experienced that a few years ago.
“But that would obviously something incredibly to achieve. Winning a medal is difficult but doing it with your brother is very special and we’re both very motivated to do it we’re taking it very seriously and I hope we can have a good run.”
This evening’s ceremony, overseen by film director Fernando Meirelles, will have as its theme diversity and respect for the planet. Murray, who will lead in a reduced contingent of 55 from among the full British squad, will aim to march onwards to conquer a tennis field that –Roger Federer and Stan Warwinka apart - has not suffered the decimation that has shredded golf’s case to be welcomed into the Olympic fray.
“Roger and Stan, if they were both here, that would be everyone who’s won a Grand Slam in the past ten years,” he affirmed. “But a few injuries and the potential health problems have made it a bit weaker this time around. Everyone does things differently but for me the Olympics is the biggest sports event around.”
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