Andy Murray has always been known for his fierce competitiveness, but this week in the Athletes’ Village, it’s reached new heights.
Our six-bedroom apartment for the male tennis players has become the epicenter of a friendly competition: who can collect the most pin badges from different nations.
Since the Village is enormous, many players hop on bikes to cover more ground and collect badges from various countries.
It’s become the hot topic during our meals, and Andy’s fame has given him a bit of an edge.
Since everyone recognizes him, they’re eager to snap a selfie, and Andy cleverly uses this to grab their badges.
It feels a bit unfair because the rest of us are at a disadvantage!
These badges are attached to our accreditation lanyards, and Andy’s collection must be weighing him down! Some badges are tougher to find than others, and Andy recently came back to the apartment boasting about snagging a badge from Guam—a tiny island with only eight athletes competing here.
Jokes aside, this competitive drive is a key reason behind Andy’s successful career.
I’m incredibly fortunate to be his doubles partner for his final event before retirement, and we’ve been training together daily.
Our focus has shifted more to doubles than singles during this time.
On Tuesday, while we were heading to training, Andy’s retirement announcement popped up on my Instagram feed.
I had an inkling it was coming, but seeing it in writing was a shock.
I chose not to comment on it immediately; instead, I focused on our practice session, which, apart from a sudden influx of cameramen, went as usual.
Andy’s aversion to mistakes is legendary, and he’s still driven to perfect every shot.
Training for Doubles
Our training has been all about adapting our game for doubles.
The key is developing a strong on-court connection, perfecting our strategies, and getting our plays synchronized.
Knowing when to hit, cross, intercept, defend, and attack is crucial in doubles, especially with only half the court to work with.
Personal Reflections and Goals
My knee has been bothering me since I slipped at Queen’s last month, so playing doubles is easier on my body since it requires covering less ground.
I’m satisfied with our preparation and am aiming for an Olympic medal, which would be the highlight of my career.
Although it’s different from winning a Grand Slam, the Olympics is a prestigious honor in the tennis world.
Even though this is Andy’s final tournament, his desire to win remains as strong as ever.
His drive is clear in every training session.
His career achievements are remarkable, placing him among Britain’s greatest athletes, alongside figures like Lennox Lewis, Wayne Rooney, Lewis Hamilton, and Paul Gascoigne.
The magnitude of this event is not lost on me, and Andy’s vision of a perfect farewell is to stand on that medal podium.
That’s what I’m determined to help him achieve.