Andy Murray became the first Olympian to win two gold medals in singles tennis, and also won the hearts of people for the way he deflected a reporter’s mistaken characterization of the achievement.
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“Tonight was one of the hardest matches I have played”, he said in the bowels of the Olympic Tennis Centre, a British flag draped round his shoulders. I beat the first two players and not the third, but I am happy because I am leaving Rio with a medal that for me is like the gold.
Andy Murray is surely on a winning streak with two Wimbledon titles, and with two Olympic Gold Medals, he is surely a solid favorite for the upcoming U.S. Open. Del Potro, the reigning bronze medalist from London 2012, had an impressive tournament himself, notably eliminating Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal along the way.
The final was all level in the 10th game as del Potro converted on a fourth set point, shrugging off a time violation from umpire Pascal Maria. What I have done for four months, he has done the whole year.
“To defend the singles title”.
“You always go into a match trying to win it and you never know if you are going to be able to cross that line”, said 36-year-old Venus who had to be content with a record-equalling fifth medal in total.
“I am very exhausted”.
MEDAL COUNT: Despite what happened in singles and doubles to the Williams sisters, and even though the country’s highest-ranked man, John Isner, opted to skip the Olympics, the USA wound up with the best haul: one gold (Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock in mixed doubles), one silver (Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram in mixed) and one bronze (Sock and Steve Johnson in men’s doubles).
Del Potro, a bronze medallist in London four years ago, was inconsolable, weeping as he sat courtside after the final.
The resurgent Del Potro will be joined in the draw by American Rajeev Ram.
In an all-American mixed doubles final, Mattek-Sands and Jack Sock won the title as first-time Olympians.
“It was an wonderful experience and I went to the opening ceremonies in each of the three Olympics and they were three of the most enjoyable moments in my sporting career”.
Croatia’s Karlovic and Monaco of Argentina must first complete a match which was one of many to fall foul of inclement weather on Tuesday.
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Despite the loss, she is still only the second player to have won five tennis medals after already being guaranteed silver by making the final.
