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Triumphing in 2012 and 2016, Andy Murray became the first tennis player of any gender to win two Olympic Games gold medals.
He would have been hoping for a historic third in 2024, but may be deprived of that opportunity after it was revealed that his brother Jamie might not be selected for the men’s doubles team – with whom Andy would have been paired.
With injury woes also continuing to mount, the Scotsman has hinted that he may pull out of the singles too.
Going for Gold
According to the Olympics 2024 odds, Great Britain are the third most likely team to clinch the most gold medals in Paris, behind favorites USA (-700) and China (+450).
For them to live up to the expectations of those Olympic Games 2024 odds, Murray – given his prior history in the quadrennial event – might have been expected to at least challenge for the bronze, if not gold, medal.
However, the 37-year-old has indicated that injuries might prevent him from handling the rigors of the singles event. “My body didn’t feel great playing on the clay in the last month or so,” Murray said after a first-round loss in the 2024 Stuttgart Open.
A tight defeat for Andy Murray in Stuttgart, 6-3, 6-4 to Marcos Giron
But great to see Andy back on the grass before returning to @QueensTennis next week!#BackTheBrits 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/3sgaNVQj4J
— LTA (@the_LTA) June 11, 2024
Doubles are somewhat easier on the body, with less lateral movement required at the back of the court. Murray would have loved the opportunity to line up alongside brother Jamie in what is likely to be his last appearance at the Olympics, however, those hopes appear to be scuppered given that Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury are the number one ranked British team.
All of which means that Murray, one of the most decorated tennis players in Olympic history, may miss out on the chance for one last chance to shine.
Djokovic Danger
One of Murray’s old rivals, Novak Djokovic, is also facing a race against time to be fit for the Olympic Games.
He suffered a torn ligament in his knee at the French Open, which required immediate surgery – putting his place at Wimbledon in jeopardy.
In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match. I’m still processing it all but I am happy to update you that the surgery went well.
I am so appreciative of the team of doctors who have been by my side… pic.twitter.com/RYLeR5KW2P
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) June 6, 2024
Although the Olympics are underway a few weeks after the Grand Slam, the Serbian will still be pushing it close in terms of getting the necessary game-time to be competitive at Roland Garros, which will double up as the Game’s host in 2024 alongside its traditional French Open duties.
It’s a cruel twist of fate for Djokovic, who has spoken of his desire to add an Olympic gold medal to his haul of 24 Grand Slam victories: “The Paris Olympics are very important – the Olympics have always been a priority for me,” he confirmed.
Surprisingly, the 37-year-old has never taken the gold medal home. In fact, his record is relatively poor in the event – Djokovic has a solitary bronze medal to his name, earned in Beijing back in 2008.
The Paris Games will be the first of the modern era to be played on clay, which historically has not been Djokovic’s favorite surface. But he looked in good form at the French Open – even though he was taken to fifth-set deciders in both his third and fourth-round games.
An Olympic Games men’s singles event without Djokovic and Murray would be a very strange thing indeed.
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