Murray was handed the prestigious honour of being Britain’s flag bearer for Friday’s Olympics opening ceremony in Rio but there was confusion all round when he was unclear on which side to hold the flag at Wednesday night’s event.
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Murray, who is defending his Olympic gold medal he won at Wimbledon in 2012 by defeating Roger Federer, was selected from a number of candidates from all different criteria.
Murray, whose second Wimbledon win came last month, follows in the footsteps of fellow Scot Sir Chris Hoy, with the cyclist leading out Team GB at London 2012.
“To lead out your country at an Olympic Games is obviously a huge, huge moment in anyone’s career and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life”.
It will be Murray’s third time competing at an Olympics, and he says he is “100% focused on winning” in Rio. “But I’m not going to get into that”, said the 29-year-old Serb who warmed up for the Games by claiming a 30th Masters title in Toronto on Sunday.
Four years ago in London, Murray won gold in men’s singles and silver in mixed doubles alongside Laura Robson.
Murray will not have to face Federer this time, or his compatriot Stan Wawrinka, but while neither Swiss star will be fit, Rafael Nadal will be back after being absent from Wimbledon with a wrist problem.
Murray, who practised with British team-mate Kyle Edmund at the Olympic Tennis Centre on Tuesday after arriving on Monday night, sought final assurances from his doctor to allay concerns about Zika before travelling.
Murray is seeded second in both the men’s singles and the doubles tournament in which he is teaming up with Brother Jamie.
“It would be ranked as one of the highest if not the highest achievement that I would have in my career”, said Djokovic. He’s globally recognised not just as a tennis player but an athlete.
“We ended up talking a little bit about the event schedule and when he was competing and when I was competing and took a photo and wished each other luck and walked away”, Phelps said.
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.
And Kim ushered in the championship celebration in style – and with some help from one of her (and Princess Kate’s) favorite designers – Packham.
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The Briton said being part of Team GB and staying at the Olympic Village differed from a tennis player’s usual “selfish” routine. As for Andy carrying the flag in the opening ceremony, he is one of the great athletes of our country and I think it’s fully deserved.
