Andy Murray, who is now the second-ranking tennis player in the world, has been given the honour of Great Britain flag bearer for the Olympic opening ceremony.
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The three-time Grand Slam victor won out over a number of other notable British sporting figures, including the likes of cyclist Bradley Wiggins, boxer Nicola Adams, and rower Katherine Grainger.
The 29-year-old Scot who was in the Great Britain team which won the Davis Cup in November, will be first tennis player to fill the role.
The Wimbledon champion will act as the Team GB flag-bearer during the opening ceremony of the XXXI Olympiad at the Maracana. The funding agency UK Sport has set Team GB a target of beating its total of 48 medals in Beijing 2008, which would represent its best performance at an away Games.
“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”.
Murray, who beat Novak Djokovic and Federer back to back to win gold in London, said: “It’s unfortunate with Roger and Stan, they’re two guys that are both great players and capable of winning events like this so it’s a shame that they aren’t here”.
“I didn’t really know what to do”.
Decorated track cycling champion Chris Hoy led the British team out on home soil at London 2012.
Andy Murray, of Britain, returns a ball during a practice session on the central court ahead of the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016.
Serena is the reigning women’s singles Olympic gold medalist, defeating Russia’s Maria Sharapova in the London 2012 final.
“The only time when defending a title felt a little bit odd to me – or different – was at Wimbledon because you come out and you open the tournament, and there’s this thing about playing the first match on Centre Court.
I was speechless”, explained Murray who said that England had made the decision based on his “perseverance and spirit”.
Before injury forced him out of the Olympics, world number three Roger Federer had said that he was intending to stay in a hotel rather than with the Swiss team.
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Tennis Team Leader Iain Bates added: “Being the Flagbearer for your country at the Olympics is an incredible honour and I am absolutely thrilled for Andy”.
