This week, the Athletes’ Village has been buzzing with activity, and Andy Murray’s competitive nature has been on full display.
We, the male tennis players, share a six-bedroom apartment and have turned collecting pin badges from different countries into a friendly competition.
The Village is so vast that some players grab bikes to explore and gather as many overseas badges as possible.
However, Andy has been using his fame to gain an edge.
People often recognize him, ask for a selfie, and he cleverly exchanges the favor for a badge.
Needless to say, the rest of us can hardly keep up!
The badges are more than just souvenirs; they’re a source of bragging rights.
The rarer the badge, the more coveted it becomes.
Andy recently returned to our apartment proudly showing off a badge from Guam, a tiny Pacific island with only eight athletes participating.
His lanyard, weighed down by the sheer number of badges, is a testament to his dedication—both on and off the court.
It’s an incredible honor to partner with Andy for his final event before retirement.
We’ve been focusing on doubles, prioritizing it over our singles matches.
The announcement of Andy’s retirement caught me off guard. We were heading to training in the van when I saw his post on Instagram.
Although I had an inkling it was coming, seeing it confirmed in writing was still a surprise.
Despite the news, our training session that day was as intense as ever, with Andy’s competitive spirit driving us forward.
He hates making mistakes and insists on giving his all with every shot.
We’ve been fine-tuning our doubles strategy, working on understanding each other’s movements on the court.
Doubles play requires a different approach than singles, with an emphasis on communication and teamwork.
You have to know when to cross, intercept, defend, and attack.
My knee hasn’t been the same since an incident at Queen’s last month, so the doubles format, which demands less movement, is a bit easier on my body.
Aiming for an Olympic Medal
Our goal is to leave the Olympics with a medal, and personally, it would be the highlight of my career.
While I haven’t won a Grand Slam, an Olympic medal is a prestigious achievement in the tennis world.
Even though this is Andy’s last tournament, his desire to win is as strong as ever.
His determination and dedication are truly inspiring. Andy Murray’s legacy in British sports is monumental.
He’s in the same league as legends like Lennox Lewis, Wayne Rooney, Lewis Hamilton, and Paul Gascoigne.
It’s a privilege to be part of this journey, and we are committed to making his final tournament a memorable one. For Andy, a true farewell would be standing on the medal podium, and I’m determined to help him achieve that.
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