Andy Murray’s Olympics farewell may to be a huge anti-climax as star names announced
Andy Murray looks set to play his final professional tennis match at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, but there will be no fanfare farewell for the former world No 1.
Murray has been confirmed as an entrant at Paris 2012 in singles and doubles by the ITF, even though he admitted he was unable to play in the singles at Wimbledon this week after he underwent back surgery earlier this month.
Now it has been confirmed that he still believes he can play singles at the Olympics later this month, after previously hinting he intends to call time on his career in Paris.
“Probably if I was going to finish my career I would rather finish at Wimbledon or an Olympic Games – to me that would probably be more fitting,” said Murray at Queen’s Club earlier this month.
“I’ve had amazing experiences and memories from Wimbledon, but also being part of British Olympics teams.”
Murray has gained entry into the Paris 2024 singles event courtesy of an exemption, with the two-time Olympic gold medalist claiming one of the spots awarded by the UITF.
He may also play in mixed doubles at the Olympics, with British No 1 Katie Boulter the option he has to play alongside in Paris.
Yet any notion that the Olympics will provide a fitting stage for a ceremony to celebrate Murray’s career have been banished, as the International Olympic Committee do not allow such presentations during their Games.
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So there is a strong possibility that Murray could walk off court for the last time with little more than a polite round of applause from the crowd.
Tennis365 were in attendance for an ITF press conference at Wimbledon on Thursday to reveal the final names on the entry list for the Olympics.
The men’s and women’s singles entries are headed by Jannik Sinner (Italy), Novak Djokovic (Serbia), Carlos Alcaraz (Spain), Iga Swiatek (Poland), Coco Gauff (USA) and Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan). Returning to defend their Olympic titles are Alexander Zverev (Germany) plus the doubles teams of Nikola Mektic/Mate Pavic (Croatia) and Barbora Krejcikova/Katerina Siniakova (Czechia).
Other former Olympic champions include two-time singles gold medallist Andy Murray (Great Britain) and Beijing 2008 doubles gold medallist Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland), both of whom receive ITF Places; and singles and doubles gold medallist Rafael Nadal (Spain).
The ITF also confirmed every ticket for the tennis event at Paris 2024 have been sold, with the chance to see the Spanish duo of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz said to be ‘among the most sought after tickets’ for this summer’s Olympics.
“Today is an exciting day as we confirm the star-studded full entry list for the Paris 2024 Olympic Tennis event,” said ITF President David Haggerty.
“Following a successful but Covid-impacted Tokyo 2020, the prospect of returning to Olympic tennis played in front of thousands of passionate supporters is very exciting for all of us and based on the entry list, we are guaranteed some thrilling tennis.
“The chance to represent their nation and compete for an Olympic medal is a truly unique privilege for any athlete – and tennis players are no different.
“In Olympic tennis, any medallist will forever be identified by the medal they won, just as being a Grand Slam champion is with you forever. That’s what players will be battling for in Paris at the end of this month, and we can’t wait.”
The Olympic Tennis Event will be held on clay at the Roland-Garros stadium over nine days from Saturday 27 July – Sunday 4 August. There will be 12 match courts and 6 practice courts, including the 15,000-capacity Court Philippe Chatrier and 9,000-capacity Court Suzanne Lenglen.
A total of 41 nations will be represented at the Olympic Tennis Event, with 184 players competing across five events (men’s and women’s singles and doubles, plus mixed doubles). Lebanon makes its debut in the competition. Sixty-four players will compete in both singles events, while 32 teams will contest the two doubles events.
Entries for the 16-team mixed doubles event will be determined on Wednesday 24 July.
