For the second straight Olympic Games, Great Britain’s Andy Murray captured the gold medal in men’s singles tennis on Sunday, defeating Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro 7-5 4-6 6-2 7-5.
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Murray won Wimbledon in front of his home crowd, followed by a trip to the Olympics where he defended his title of four years ago.
Britain’s world No. 2, who beat Roger Federer for gold at London 2012, emerged victorious from an almighty four-hour struggle against a man whose run to the final has made him one of the most popular athletes of these Games.
Back came Del Potro, though, and after they had exchanged breaks of serve at the start of the fourth, Del Potro gave himself the chance to serve out the set and set up what would have been the most dramatic of deciders.
Juan Martin del Potro had a hectic schedule this week. “At 33, I’m not sure I’ll be at the same level”, this may just be one of the last times we get to savour a late night tennis win with the Great Scot.
“Getting the chance to carry the flag for the opening ceremony was an incredible experience”, Murray said.
His victory capped an incredible year, in which the British number one won his second Wimbledon title and finished runner-up in two other Grand Slams. “I didn’t serve well and that made the match even tougher than it was already”.
Murray said he might seek a third title at the Tokyo Games in 2020, but acknowledged that his best playing days might be behind him by then.
“What he’s had to go through over the last three years or so with his wrists – I can’t imagine how mentally hard that would have been”, said the Briton.
Del Potro praised the Argentine fans, dressed in the sky blue of their national football team, as well as Brazilian spectators who are never traditionally that warm to their bitter neighbours.
“If you asked me 10 years ago if I would be here in Rio, I would say you’re insane”, said Hingis.
“I saw Justin Rose win the golf before I came on court and I’d seen Max Whitlock, who I’ve spoken to in the village a few times, win his gold before I left the village”.
This year he opted not to play in the quarter-final, although he did travel to Serbia to support his team-mates, and then skipped the Masters event in Toronto in favour of a training block. A lot has changed since 2012, I’m happy here competing for the biggest events. “To finish it with a match like that as well, I was very emotional at the end”. Andy Murray won the gold medal.
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Earlier in the day, Kei Nishikori of Japan claimed the bronze medal after seeing off a courageous fightback from Rafael Nadal to win 6-2, 6-7 (1), 6-3.
