- Dan Evans and Andy Murray rallied to keep their Olympic hopes alive
Playing alongside Andy Murray at the Olympics this Sunday was one of the highlights of my career. Our victory in the first round has provided us with a solid foundation in the competition, though the match was quite the rollercoaster.
On the bus back to the Athletes’ Village after the match, we couldn’t help but laugh. The audience was completely stunned that we managed to pull through. We were down 9-4 in the tie-break and many players would have given up.
But Andy is not just any player. He is the finest British tennis player of my time. You simply cannot dismiss Andy as you would with most others.
Rivals can sense an aura that he will always battle back. While he may come off as intense during matches, he remains remarkably composed as a partner. The confidence he instills is unique; he’s very systematic and, when preparing for a point, projects a sense that everything is entirely under control.
Such a match drains a considerable amount of physical and emotional energy. While we haven’t explicitly talked about it, the narrative around his potential retirement looms large. He’s one of the greatest athletes Britain has ever produced, and it’s impossible not to consider that.
Andy Murray and Dan Evans fought back to reach the men’s doubles second round in Paris
The Team GB duo were on the brink of elimination before making a comeback at Roland Garros
The media attention increases significantly when it involves Andy. Everything is scrutinized more closely, but that’s the kind of pressure one desires as an athlete. After our match, we enjoyed some chicken and rice at the court, received treatment, and then took an ice bath to help our recovery.
The adrenaline from such an intense match makes it tough to fall asleep. I headed to the canteen in the Athletes’ Village for a second meal. Although they tend to run low on options, I managed to find some pasta and finally went to bed around 1:30 am.
Inside the village, there’s always something happening. It’s like a mini-town, complete with a supermarket, beauty salon, and pretty much anything you could need. Missing out on the Tokyo Olympics due to Covid makes this experience all the more special.
On the regular tennis circuit, interactions with athletes from other sports are rare. Recently, I was in the lodge chatting with the trampolining team. We also have access to British TV coverage, so we gather to support our fellow athletes.
Boxing is a sport I enjoy, and I attended the bantamweight competition on Saturday night to watch Charley Davison. Unfortunately, she lost despite the support of her friends and family. It was a tough moment to witness, knowing how much it meant to them.
The discussions surrounding Murray’s impending retirement are indeed significant, as noted by Evans.
Evans faced a singles defeat to Stefano Tsitsipas, but that match wasn’t his main focus.
Four years of anticipation, and everything ended in just nine minutes. Sports can indeed be harsh, yet on the flip side, you witness someone having the best moment of their life.
Andy and I will be back out on the court today, aiming to gain momentum.
Although I lost in singles to Stefanos Tsitsipas, that wasn’t where my priorities lay. I contemplated withdrawing after an injury earlier in the week, but I couldn’t do that while representing Great Britain at the Olympics.
Luckily, Andy has had a day to recuperate, which benefits us, as we look to start off on the right foot.
The post-competition parties for athletes look enticing, but we’re not ready to join in yet!
I chose to forgo the opening ceremony boat parade since I had a match the following day. Seeing everyone returning drenched confirmed that I made the right choice!
