Andy Murray’s career received its biggest boost when he won the Olympics gold, beating Roger Federer in the final, on the hallowed grass courts of Wimbledon in the 2012 London Olympics.
Murray has gone on to win two titles at Wimbledon itself, much to the joy of the Brits who have been thirsting for it for decades.
Even though he has left his wife and daughter back home, Murray said he was happy to be competing in Rio despite threats over the Zika virus.
“I spoke to my doctor and he assured me that everything should be ok. Hopefully, I don’t get too many mosquito bites. There are a lot of places that are a little bit dodgy, like Miami. You just hope that nothing happens,” said Murray.
The Briton had had a hit with the former Olympic champion Rafael Nadal in Mallorca, but observed that the conditions were different.
“We only practised a bit together. I hit with Rafa a couple of times. It was good, it was hot. The conditions are quite different here. The courts there were faster. Here it is pretty slow and humid, and quite windy. It is good to get here a few days early and get used to it,” Murray said.
Though Federer and Stan Wawrinka are not playing, Murray felt it was still a competitive field.
“A lot of top-20 players are here. It is unfortunate that a few of the top-10 are missing. Some of them have cited Zika as the reason,” Murray said.
The much-decorated Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, too, were looking forward to the Games, and add to the US collection of gold medals.
“It is special to be at the Olympics. Honestly, it takes some pressure off, knowing I have won a gold medal,” Serena said.
“When I held my first gold medal, it was a feeling I had never experienced before... with so many great athletes from across the globe in every single sport. I really had an opportunity to truly enjoy and appreciate my gold medal probably more than a lot of my other trophies,” said Serena.
One of the greatest athletes of all time, with 22 Grand Slam titles to her credit so far, Serena was all praise for Sania Mirza, who had played the fourth round against her at the Australian Open in 2005,spanking winners despite being match-point down.
Sania has come a very long way after that, and Serena acknowledged that.
The American also said she remembered her singles streak as much as the doubles and mixed doubles crowns.
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