As Andy Murray reflected on the most heart-wrenching moment of his career following his loss to Roger Federer in the 2012 Wimbledon final, emotions quickly overwhelmed him. He had been tantalizingly close to securing his first grand slam title, yet it felt as elusive as ever. While his esteemed rivals collected major accolades, he struggled to shed his inhibitions and cross the finish line. He had faced defeat in all four grand slam finals he contested, winning just a single set in the process.
However, the summer of 2012 was unlike any other. Just three weeks after the players departed the prestigious All England Club, they were back. The plain green backboards were transformed into vibrant, bright purple, and the traditional all-white outfits were replaced with a dazzling array of colors as the London 2012 Olympic tennis event commenced at Wimbledon.
The men’s singles final mirrored the Wimbledon showdown, but this time Murray seized the moment. He delivered one of the finest performances of his career, overpowering Federer with a score of 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 to claim his first Olympic gold medal.
For Murray, the Olympic Games marked a turning point, instilling a belief that fueled his journey for years. As that summer drew to a close, he triumphed over Novak Djokovic in a grueling five-set match to secure his inaugural grand slam title at the US Open. A year later, he returned to Wimbledon, making history as the first British man to win the title in 77 years.
Now, the Olympics also heralds a conclusion. This Sunday in Paris, Murray will embark on the final tournament of his career before retiring from professional play. While he continues to recover from back surgery, he will only compete in doubles alongside Dan Evans.
As always, he is not just here to participate. With a doubles draw featuring many inexperienced singles players and new pairings, there lies a promising opportunity for the GB duo to secure victories, provided Murray’s back holds up. They will be favored in the first round against Japan’s Kei Nishikori, a former top singles player who has faced significant injuries in recent years, and Taro Daniel.
The Olympics could represent a pivotal point in numerous athletes’ journeys, especially for Rafael Nadal. After making a competitive comeback during the clay season, the gold medalist from 2008 (singles) and 2016 (doubles) has made it clear that the Olympics are a key focus for him this year, even opting out of Wimbledon to ensure he is in peak physical condition for Paris. Following the Games, he will evaluate whether to continue his career or pursue retirement.
Given Nadal’s lengthy inactivity during the 16 months preceding the clay season, he has entered every tournament unseeded, placing him at the mercy of the draws to evade top competitors and regain form. Unfortunately, the draws haven’t been favorable. Having faced the eventual finalist Alexander Zverev in the first round of the French Open, Nadal now risks meeting Novak Djokovic in the second round, potentially marking the 60th clash between two of the sport’s greatest rivals.
In the interim, Nadal must conquer a challenging first match against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics while managing discomfort in his thigh. Additionally, he will partake in a unique spectacle, competing alongside Carlos Alcaraz—a momentous partnership featuring Spain’s iconic 38-year-old 14-time French Open champion and the 21-year-old reigning champion at Roland Garros.
With Jannik Sinner absent, Alcaraz, seeded second, emerges as the favorite in singles as he aims for an extraordinary trio of titles after his victories at the French Open and Wimbledon. Djokovic, likely the second favorite, faces a challenge after his defeat by Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, but after an additional two weeks of recovery from knee surgery, he poses a risk as this could be his final opportunity to contend for the gold medal he so desires.
The central question looming over the women’s draw is straightforward: can Iga Swiatek maintain her exceptional dominance on clay to secure Olympic gold? The Polish player has already established an unprecedented run at Roland Garros, claiming the title in four of the last five years and boasting a remarkable 21-match winning streak at just 23 years old. With Aryna Sabalenka absent and Elena Rybakina pulling out late due to bronchitis, her chances of success have only improved. Nevertheless, as a heavy favorite representing her country, the pressure will be substantial.
