via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis Training – Ariake Tennis Park, Tokyo, Japan – July 20, 2021 Andy Murray of Britain during training REUTERS/Edgar Su
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis Training – Ariake Tennis Park, Tokyo, Japan – July 20, 2021 Andy Murray of Britain during training REUTERS/Edgar Su
Former Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray has withdrawn from the singles event at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Making his return to the Olympics, the former gold medalist will not repeat his feat in the singles event. He competed yesterday in the men’s doubles event, beating France’s Mahut and Herbert.
Why has Andy Murray withdrawn from singles competition at the Tokyo Olympics?
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis Training – Ariake Tennis Park, Tokyo, Japan – July 20, 2021 Andy Murray of Britain during training REUTERS/Edgar Su
On a day highlighted by tennis’ superstars gracing Tokyo’s courts, Andy Murray has withdrawn from singles competition. Scheduled to face Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, the man who beat Roger Federer at the Halle Open in 2021, Murray’s replacement is now Australia’s Max Purcell.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Andy Murray's reason for his withdrawal from singles at the Olympics: quad strain.
"The medical staff have advised me against playing in both events, so I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the singles and focus on playing doubles with Joe.”
More tough luck.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) July 25, 2021
The reason for his withdrawal is a quad strain picked up during his doubles opening match. He and Joe Salisbury dominated the French duo, Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Andy Murray withdrew from (at least) the singles draw at the #Olympics. He was the two times defending champion…
Already replaced by Max Purcell in the schedule. pic.twitter.com/86hQRYSp32
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 25, 2021
This leaves Great Britain without their talisman, and surefire gold medal contender. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was the defending champion, and his withdrawal has just blown the competition wide open. However, he will feel the heat of missing that chance to complete a historic three-peat.
His replacement, Max Purcell will face Felix Auger-Aliassime from Canada on Centre Court at the Ariake Tennis Park. As for Andy Murray, he might be back in action soon for the men’s doubles event. With one attempt at gold out of reach, can Murray make it three gold medals in a row, anyway?
Everything you need to know about Felix Auger-Aliassime
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Facing the two-time gold medalist was going to be no easy feat. However, Felix Auger-Aliassime has the tools to make it far at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The Canadian is just 20 and turned pro in 2017. At 6’4, he’s one of the tallest players on the court, making him quite an imposing figure.
He excelled in both singles and doubles, and teamed with Denis Shapovalov, the current world #10. With him, he clinched the US Open Junior Grand Slam Doubles Title in 2015. The team also finished runners-up at the 2016 Wimbledon Junior Grand Slam Doubles Championship.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Felix remains the youngest player to rank in the top twenty, and his career has only just begun. With a convincing performance at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, his career could move upwards. However, he will have to slay Max Purcell, but that won’t be difficult. After all, we’re counting on the man who beat Roger Federer at Halle.
