Murray Captures Olympic Gold on Home Turf
Andy Murray defeated top-seed Roger Federer of Switzerland, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 on Sunday to capture the Gold Medal in 2012 Olympic Men’s Singles Tennis. It was a rematch of the 2012 WImbledon finals, and this time, the outcome was in favor of the hometown Murray who became the first British man to win a singles gold medal in 104 years.
"It’s definitely different," said Murray. "I’ve won an Olympic Gold Medal. I haven’t won a Grand Slam. I know how this feels and it feels great. I’ve lost some tough matches in some tough finals and that’s hurt me a lot. I think tennis in the Olympics is getting better each time it’s played, because all the top players are playing now. For me it’s the biggest win of my life."
Murray follows in the footsteps of John Pius Boland (1900), Laurence Doherty (1904), Josiah Ritchie (1908 outdoors) and Arthur Gore (1908 indoors) as male Olympic singles gold medalists representing Great Britain.
"This week has been absolutely incredible, I’ve had a lot of fun," said Murray. "I felt so fresh on the court today. I didn’t feel nervous really at all, apart from at the beginning of the match. The support’s been unbelievable."
Murray didn’t have long to celebrate the win as he was slated to head back onto the courts just 45 minutes later in the mixed-doubles finals as he and partner Laura Robson faced Max Mirnyi & Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. Murray had to settle for silver however, as the pair fell to the Belarussians who prevailed in a close match tie-break to win Olympic Gold, 2-6, 6-3, 10-8.
