Newspaper and internet reports

[cazza99]

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/murray-praises-home-crowd-doubles-defeat-210729662.html)- Murray praises home crowd after doubles defeat

[LC the fan]

I must say I am absolutely sick of the British Press this morning

Mark Cavendish is branded as 'Nowhere Man' because things went wrong yesterday - last week he was a hero but that didn't last long !
And Andy and Jamie 'crashed out' !!!! I dont see how anyone can call a match as close as that crashing out - I would call it a narrow defeat
....they all make me so angry. Heaven help Beccy Adlington, Tom Daley and Jessica Ennis if they dont quite make the gold. :grrr:

[RFS]

I must say I am absolutely sick of the British Press this morning

Mark Cavendish is branded as 'Nowhere Man' because things went wrong yesterday - last week he was a hero but that didn't last long !
And Andy and Jamie 'crashed out' !!!! I dont see how anyone can call a match as close as that crashing out - I would call it a narrow defeat
....they all make me so angry. Heaven help Beccy Adlington, Tom Daley and Jessica Ennis if they dont quite make the gold. :grrr:

I know - when we were doing the Sports Reporting module at Journo school, we had a brain dump from the Olympic-nut of the Sports Agency managing editor, and he was saying that in the early days of the 2012 bid we were nowhere PRECISELY because of the negativity of our media.

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18904095)- Andy Murray beats Stanislas Wawrinka to progress

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-andy-murray-takes-charge-to-beat-stanislas-wawrinka-7985920.html)- Tennis: Andy Murray takes charge to beat Stanislas Wawrinka

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9436545/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murray-breezes-past-Stanislas-Wawrinka-on-Centre-Court.html)- London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray breezes past Stanislas Wawrinka on Centre Court

AFP - (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gFcUyG3yhWsJKBjo2qaJwxMIlWHg?docId=CNG.d1efb 1df6a2a05f36f267ce08c4287a9.21) Murray relishes chance to impress Federer

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/edinburgh-festivals/all-articles/london-2012-olympics-andy-murray-wins-first-match-1-2439371) - London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray wins first match

ESPN Star (http://www.espnstar.com/olympics/tennis/news/detail/item832748/Murray-eases-through-first-round/) - Murray eases through first round

ATP site (http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/07/31/London-Olympics-Sunday-Murray-Beats-Wawrinka.aspx) - Murray Beats Wawrinka Under Closed Roof At Olympics

LTA (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Olympics/News/2012/Andy-Murray-beats-Wawrinka-to-reach-Olympics-round-two/)- Murray beats Wawrinka to reach Olympics round two

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2179573/London-Olympics-2012-Wimbledon-hits-purple-patch.html)- Wimbledon hits a purple patch! And stars are being wowed by Olympic experience

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2180630/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murray-beats-Stanislas-Wawrinka.html)- Murray fans almost take the roof off as Scot eases past Wawrinka at Wimbledon

BBC (http://aggbot.com/Sport-News/25/article/17441975) - Andy Murray through to Olympics tennis second round
video

[supergran]

I know - when we were doing the Sports Reporting module at Journo school, we had a brain dump from the Olympic-nut of the Sports Agency managing editor, and he was saying that in the early days of the 2012 bid we were nowhere PRECISELY because of the negativity of our media. Have read your blog about Opening Ceremony etc:clap: Your photos are probably the best I've seen. :GBsmile:

[KnightOwl]

Mark Cavendish is branded as 'Nowhere Man' because things went wrong yesterday - last week he was a hero but that didn't last long !

:grrr: thanks for that! I've had The Beatles 'Nowhere Man' stuck in my head since I read your post several hours ago :big grin:

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/olympic-diary-the-new-craze-in-tennis/)- Olympic diary: The new craze in tennis

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18906012) - Olympics tennis: Heather Watson & Laura Robson through

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-laura-robson-and-heather-watson-victories-ensure-changing-of-the-guard-for-british-women-7987630.html) - Tennis: Laura Robson and Heather Watson victories ensure changing of the guard for British women

Tennis World (http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Olympics---Andy-Murray-talks-about-his-experience-at-the-Olympics-articolo5164.html)- Olympics - Andy Murray talks about his experience at the Olympics

Orange (http://web.orange.co.uk/article/sports/murray_boosted_by_new_support) - Murray boosted by new support

"After the final it was different to what I'd experienced before, the support from friends, family, just people I bump into in the street, politicians, celebrities," said Murray. "It was overwhelming. I'm not used to that.

"I understand that sometimes in the past it wasn't always that easy to get behind me because on the court I didn't look particularly happy.

"But I think during Wimbledon, I just felt different on the court. I felt like I'd grown up a bit. I felt more mature. I felt like my demeanour was better.

"The support after the final made a huge difference to me, to my confidence, I wanted to get back on the practice court straight away, back in the gym, get myself ready for this tournament because I want to do my best.

"I want to achieve everything that I can. The only way of doing that is by giving 100 percent."

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19043245) - Olympics tennis: Wimbledon, but not as you know it

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/londonspy/spot-error-olympic-picture-141136244.html)- Spot the error in this Olympic picture

New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/olympics/murray_has_british_hopes_on_his_0dRBHYXfp56R5GXH6s LQmL?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Olympics)- Murray has British hopes on his strings — again

Express (http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/336238/Andy-Murray-detects-Wimbledon-leak-)- OLYMPICS 2012 ANDY MURRAY DETECTS WIMBLEDON LEAK

Herald Scotland (http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/olympics/tennis-murray-is-feeling-the-love.18294722)- Tennis: Murray is feeling the love

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/9434973/Pippa-Middleton-is-a-tennis-star.html)- Pippa Middleton is a tennis star

[rondun]

:grrr: thanks for that! I've had The Beatles 'Nowhere Man' stuck in my head since I read your post several hours ago :big grin:Maybe I can help with that, I've been reading a few interesting facts about Cav...
Did you know his girlfriend's nickname for him is 'My boy lollipop' and he calls her 'Barbie Girl' and that their babies first word was 'Agadoo'? And when he was named as best sprinter ever in France, they presented him with a brand new combine harvester, but apparently they key was missing! And when he first did the Tour of Texas he got slightly lost and had to ask someone for directions to Amarillo...
there's more, but that should be enough to get 'Nowhere Man' completely out of your head... (oops :shamed:)

[cazza99]

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-andy-murray-aiming-for-last16-with-victory-over-jarkko-nieminen-on-centre-court-7993829.html) - Tennis: Andy Murray aiming for last-16 with victory over Jarkko Nieminen on Centre Court

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/162866.html)- Why Farah and Hoy can help Murray win gold

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2181263/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murray-eyes-place-16.html)- Murray has no drama in mind as Nieminen stands in way of last 16 berth

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1275767-25-biggest-tennis-upsets-in-olympic-history) - 25 Biggest Tennis Upsets in Olympic History

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1278660-how-andy-murray-can-get-back-on-track) - How Andy Murray Can Get Back on Track

[lynne]

From Andy's Facebook page............

Front cover of the Metro...............http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150974176711966&set=a.231935561965.134843.16814976965&type=1&theater


And the back.................http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150974186971966&set=a.231935561965.134843.16814976965&type=1&theater

[cazza99]

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-andy-murray-hoping-for-swifter-encounter-against-marcos-baghdatis-than-wimbledon-epic-7998305.html)- Tennis: Andy Murray hoping for swifter encounter against Marcos Baghdatis than Wimbledon epic

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19067685)- Andy Murray wins but Heather Watson & Laura Robson lose

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19067041) - Andy Murray & Laura Robson earn Olympic mixed doubles spot

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/andy-murray-teams-up-with-laura-robson-in-relentless-medal-pursuit-7994915.html) - Andy Murray teams up with Laura Robson in relentless medal pursuit

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/163063.html) - Murray tells Watson to take absence on chin

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/london-olympics-andy-murray-cruises-1197047)- Andy Murray gives his Olympic medal hopes a double boost

Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wimbledon-champs-vs-finalists-at-olympics-djokovic-and-roddick-serena-williams-and-zvonareva/2012/07/30/gJQAovaYLX_story.html)- Deja vu? Andy Murray, Marcos Baghdatis set to face off in same round, same place as Wimbledon

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/london-2012-olympics-andy-murray-and-laura-robson-get-shot-at-mixed-doubles-1-2443148) - London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray and Laura Robson get shot at mixed doubles

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2181806/London-2012-Olympics-Heather-Watson-astounded-Andy-Murray-didnt-pick-her.html)- Heather: I'm the best but Murray didn't pick me, he picked Robson instead

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9443365/London-2012-Olympics-Britains-Heather-Watson-disappointed-at-doubles-snub-from-Andy-Murray.html)- London 2012 Olympics: Britain's Heather Watson disappointed at doubles snub from Andy Murray

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/31/london-2012-andy-murray-nieminen)- Andy Murray eases into third round by beating Jarkko Nieminen

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/31/andy-murray-laura-robson-olympic-row)- Andy Murray and Laura Robson caught up in Team GB Olympic doubles row

Eurosport - (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/murray-progresses-gets-olympic-doubles-wildcard-162331228.html) Murray progresses, gets Olympic doubles wildcard

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9441644/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murray-crushes-Jarkko-Nieminen-to-reach-last-16-in-mens-singles.html)- London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray crushes Jarkko Nieminen to reach last 16 in men's singles

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/london-olympics-2012/sport/story/162961.html)- Impressive Murray disposes of Nieminen

[LC the fan]

I wonder what the deciding factor was for Laura to be chosen. They have played together before and Andy obviously enjoys her enthusiasm but Heather is the senior according to rankings. I wonder if Judy had any say in this - she obviously knows how the girls are feeling better than anyone at the moment.
Laura can hit a ball strongly and her serve may be crucial in dubs
Whatever - lets hope it's the right choice and they do well

[RoastLamb]

Tom Tebbutt's Olympic blog. (http://www.tenniscanada.com/index.php?title=Tebbutt:-A-Classic-of-Playing-It-Out&pid=3992) He discusses Canada's participation mainly (Milos vs Tsonga) and also mentions that he doesn't understand how Andy/Laura got in to the mixed dubs draw whereas the number one male dubs player didn't. I would have thought it obvious but oh well!

[cazza99]

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/andy-murray-turns-fortune-around-to-beat-marcos-baghdatis-at-wimbledon-7999195.html)- Andy Murray turns fortune around to beat Marcos Baghdatis at Wimbledon

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19086397)- Andy Murray beats Marcos Baghdatis to reach quarter-finals

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/murray-marches-olympic-quarter-finals-174653760.html)- Murray marches into Olympic quarter-finals

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9445025/Andy-Murray-through-to-Olympics-quarter-finals-after-beating-Marcos-Baghdatis.html)- Andy Murray through to Olympics quarter-finals after beating Marcos Baghdatis

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/london-olympics-2012/sport/story/163137.html) - Murray fights back to beat Baghdatis

[cazza99]

LTA (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Olympics/News/2012/Andy-Murray-battle-into-Olympic-Games-quarter-finals/)- Andy Murray battles into Olympic Games quarter-finals

Finally the British No.1 and member of Team GB commented on how he was inspired by Bradley Wiggins winning a GB gold moments before his match:

"Literally right before we walked on court we saw Bradley Wiggins get the gold medal. That's the great thing about the Olympics, you get to watch the other sports. It gives you that extra bit of motivation to go out and try and be part of the medal count and do something for your country."

[Alis]

I wonder what the deciding factor was for Laura to be chosen. They have played together before and Andy obviously enjoys her enthusiasm but Heather is the senior according to rankings. I wonder if Judy had any say in this - she obviously knows how the girls are feeling better than anyone at the moment.
Laura can hit a ball strongly and her serve may be crucial in dubs
Whatever - lets hope it's the right choice and they do well

Didn't Andy ask Laura at the Hopman Cup two years ago if she would play the mixed with him at the Olympics? It would have been pretty harsh to go back on that.

[cazza99]

Wimbledon (http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2012-08-01/201208011343841391737.html)- Determined Murray advances to quarter-finals

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/olympic-diary-murrays-medal-superstition/) - Tennis diary: Murray's medal superstition
by Alex Willis

[SamP]

Theres not really any argument for me with Robson. I think Heathers comments have been taken a little of context, which is incredibly unfair as she and Laura are obviously good mates.

Andy's played twice with Laura at the Hopman Cup, she's playing well, why would he pick anyone else?

[cazza99]

Isn't Laura Robson left handed and Heather right handed? And isn't it best for a right hander to play with a left hander in doubles? And Andy is used to playing with left handers in doubles.

[Alis]

Absolutely true about Andy being used to playing with left handers Cazza - hadn't thought of that.

[harriet]

guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/02/andy-murray-nicolas-almagro-olympics) watched andy demolish almagro

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/john-lloyd-murray-has-shown-hes-not-a-grumpy-geezer/)- John Lloyd: Murray has shown he's not a grumpy geezer

John Lloyd has told The Tennis Space that the crowd “will go bonkers” for Andy Murray when he plays Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Olympic tournament. Lloyd suggested that Murray endeared himself to casual tennis fans at this summer’s Wimbledon Championships by weeping after the final and showing “he is not a grumpy geezer”. “Now Murray is feeding off the energy of the crowd and I think he’s going to beat Djokovic and then go on to win gold.”

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19097142)- Andy Murray beats Nicolas Almagro to reach Olympic semis

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-triumphant-andy-murray-through-to-london-2012-semifinals-at-wimbledon-8001563.html) - Tennis: Triumphant Andy Murray through to London 2012 semi-finals at Wimbledon

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9446763/Andy-Murray-guaranteed-a-medal-match-after-cruising-past-Nicolas-Almagro-and-into-the-Olympic-semi-finals.html) - Andy Murray guaranteed a medal match after cruising past Nicolas Almagro and into the Olympic semi-finals

stv (http://entertainment.stv.tv/royal-wedding/311425-kate-middleton-and-prince-william-cheer-andy-murray-to-olympics-glory/) - Kate Middleton and Prince William cheer Andy Murray to Olympics glory

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2182611/Kate-Middleton-Prince-William-celebrate-rare-PDA-Sir-Chris-Hoy-sprint-team-win-gold.html)- Her Royal Hugness: Kate and Wills celebrate with a rare public display of affection as Britain's cyclists continue Team GB's Olympic domination
piccies of them watching Andy

10sballs (http://www.10sballs.com/2012/08/02/murray-is-watching-olympic-events-and-wants-his-own-medal/) - Murray Is Watching Olympic Events And Wants His Own Medal

CNN (http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/02/sport/tennis-federer-djokovic-murray/index.html) - Big three set for showdown in battle for Olympic tennis gold

Tennisworld (http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Andy-Murray-says-he-likes-to-play-in-the-presence-of-Royal-Family-members-articolo5231.html)- Andy Murray says he likes to play in the presence of Royal Family members

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2182599/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murray-reaches-semi-Novak-Djokovic.html)- Murray on track for medal after strolling past Almagro... but Djokovic awaits in semis

10sballs (http://www.10sballs.com/2012/08/02/olympic-tennis-good-news-bad-news-suspicion-surrounding-the-british-wildcard/)- Olympic Tennis – Good News / Bad News: Suspicion Surrounding the British Wildcard

Vancouver Sun (http://www.vancouversun.com/life/royals/Royal+couple+goes+wild+tennis/7030562/story.html)- Royal couple goes wild for men’s tennis

Press Association (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5g-IgFF4-EvQNwIlbAcqtvgWT5LJQ?docId=N0205801343922091108A) - Djokovic anticipates tough Murray test

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/02/andy-murray-nicolas-almagro-olympics) - Andy Murray to face Novak Djokovic in Olympic semi-final

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/9447121/Duke-and-Duchess-of-Cambridge-join-in-Mexican-wave-for-Andy-Murray.html) - Duke and Duchess of Cambridge join in Mexican wave for Andy Murray

Evening Standard (http://www.standard.co.uk/olympics/olympics-sport/inspired-andy-murrays-no1-show-puts-him-in-sight-of-a-medal-8001544.html) - Inspired Andy Murray’s No1 show puts him in sight of a medal

[cazza99]

I have managed to find where the post match interview transcripts are. There are several earlier ones of Andy. http://2012.itftennis.com/olympics/news/interviews.aspx

ITF tennis - (http://2012.itftennis.com/media/125625/125625.pdf) Transcript after Andy vs Baghdatis


A. MURRAY/M. Baghdatis
4-6, 6-1, 6-4
An interview with:
ANDY MURRAY
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Difficult conditions. It seemed to be a very windy afternoon for you.

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, well, I think, you know, at the start of the match it was very windy and it pretty much continued that way. But, you know, after playing two matches indoors, where there's none of that to worry about, it did take me -- I was pretty unsure of myself at the beginning of the match, didn't feel comfortable on the court.
Then, yeah, managed to settle myself down and move my feet better to get in better position in the second set. Played some good tennis after that.
But it was very, very different conditions to the first two rounds.

Q. When you've played somebody so recently and on the same court, do you think about that much at all or do you try to put it out of your mind?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, before the match you will go over a match like that for tactics, think about the things that worked and didn't work, the things that he tried to do against you that, you know, there's a chance that he might do again. So you'll think about it like that.
But, you know, when you're out on the court, it's not something -- you know, every day in sport is a different day, especially a high-skill sport like tennis, things can change. You can be timing one shot better than another on one day and, you know, you need to be able to adjust your tactics during the match. So I'm glad I did that today.

Q. From what you understand, might you now be faced with three matches tomorrow?

ANDY MURRAY: No. Well, I haven't been told. Yeah, I just knew that the mixed was canceled. Yeah, I don't know when. I was told the finals of the mixed is on Sunday, which if it is, then I guess tomorrow is Thursday, so we could play -- best-case scenario, if we were to get through, we could play one mixed each day. But I'm not sure. We'll find out a bit later.

Q. This is your second high-profile tournament in front of a hometown crowd in recent succession. Can you speak to the pressure of playing in front of a hometown crowd that wants you to win badly. Do you ever use sports psychologists, things like that?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I've used sports psychologists. I speak to obviously the people around me about how to deal with those things. But you also have to have it inside you, as well, to be able to deal with it. It doesn't matter how much people tell you before, how much you speak to a sports psychologist. When you're out on the court, you need to be able to do it for yourself, think for yourself, because one of the hardest things is going out on a match court, and when things aren't going your way, being able to think about tactics, be able to change things during a match. It can be difficult.
But, yeah, when you play in front of a home crowd, the support is great. It can push you on when you're in tough situations. But with that, you know, does also come a bit of extra pressure. And today, yeah, there was a fair amount of tension on the court. That's probably why my celebration was what it was. It was a release of that tension. You know, hopefully will play better tomorrow.

Q. During Wimbledon, you normally watch the tennis in the locker room. Was the rowing and the cycling on in the locker room and did it rev you up?

ANDY MURRAY: I saw the rowing right before I went onto practice. I saw the cycling right before I went onto the match court.
Well, yeah, I mean, when you watch it, it's extra motivation to go out there, and you want to try and be part of that success for the team. But also it is important to try and -- it's easy when you see someone win a gold, you want to go out and do the same thing. It's almost like four or five matches away. If you think too far ahead, it can mess you up a little bit.
So I am watching all of the sport because I love it and really enjoy it. But trying to make sure I don't get ahead of myself because I really want to do well here. I know how looking too far ahead can make you play and make you feel. So I'm trying to just focus on my matches.

Q. If you had medal matches in both events, you would play two matches each day running up to Sunday. Are you still planning on playing Toronto next week, with that in mind, playing there on Wednesday?

ANDY MURRAY: Very, very difficult to switch, yeah. If we don't play, we get fined. Yeah, I'm sure pretty much all of the players will be there. From what I understand, if you win medals, you also have to stay the following day to do all of the press stuff, as well, which is absolutely fine. But it would mean not getting to Toronto until Tuesday night and then playing on Wednesday.
It's a nice position to be in if you are collecting a medal, but obviously Toronto, preparations for that, won't be great. I care a lot more about the Olympics than I do next week right now. Just try and do my best here and hopefully win a medal.

Q. Could you just talk of the difference, when you're playing a match like today, you know it's a best-of-three, you lose the first set, as compared to when it's a best-of-five, your mentality, you realize you can't make a mistake, the mindset of that.

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it's challenging, you know, because the match can be over quite quickly, especially in conditions like today where you're struggling to time the ball, and he's hitting the ball flat and through the court. It was a challenge today to stay focused, you know. Again, not think too far ahead because it could have gone the other way today if I hadn't started that second set well. Yeah, I was struggling in the first set.

The big difference between three- and five-set matches. You can be out of the tournament quickly. You know, guys like Marcos, he's ranked 40 or 50 in the world. When he plays his best tennis, he's so, so tough to beat. It's obviously easier to keep it up for two sets than it is for three sets than it is for five. That's why you can't really afford slow starts. I was lucky to get away with it today.

Q. Have you ever actually held or worn a gold medal?

ANDY MURRAY: No, never.

Q. Has Chris Hoy ever asked you whether you'd like to try one around your neck?

ANDY MURRAY: No, no one's offered me yet. But the plan is to try to get one for yourself. Everyone always says, you know, not to hold trophies before you actually win them. I certainly haven't held the Wimbledon one. I haven't held any gold medals either.

Q. Almagro next. Another tough one up next?

ANDY MURRAY: The reason why his ranking has gone into the top ten is because he's been playing better on the other surfaces this year. Yeah, he's a tough player. He takes a lot of risk on the court. He goes for his shots, doesn't hold back. He doesn't have loads of variation, but he can overpower you. He has a big serve, as well. That's why he's been in the top 10 for the best part of this year.
After this week, won't be far off still being in it. It's going to be a tough match. I'll need to play well to win. If I serve like I did the last couple sets, that will help me out a lot.

Q. You had to wait quite awhile for the Mexican waves to stop. Is that a weird sensation, to just kind of stand around waiting?

ANDY MURRAY: When you're on the court, it goes by pretty quickly. Again, it's something as athletes you need to be able to deal with. Mexican waves, noise from the crowd, whatever. In some other sports, you have people screaming, like basketball, while you're taking shots, there's loads of noise. In tennis, because it is so quiet, when we hear a noise, normally it can put us off or shock us a little bit because we're not used to it.
But, yeah, the Mexican wave today, everybody was into the match. Got the break in the next game, so it helped me.

Q. Obviously we know there's been a lot of talk about the differences between Wimbledon as a regular tournament and what we've been seeing over here. Have the players been talking about that? In the locker room, have you all taken the same lockers that you had during Wimbledon or has there been changing around?

ANDY MURRAY: We use a different locker room than what we do during The Championships, so that's different. Yeah, I mean, before the tournament, I spoke to a lot of the players. When I was practicing with them on the practice court, everyone was talking about how different it looks with the purple and whatnot.
You know, I think, I mean, for me playing at Wimbledon is obviously great. I really enjoy it. But playing the Olympic Games at Wimbledon is just different. It's something I'll never get to experience again. I've really enjoyed it so far.
Like when I was just doing the mixed zone out there, you don't get that during Wimbledon, when there's all the people waiting down there, cheering afterwards. You just get a real team feel here. It's really nice.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

[RoastLamb]

Sounds like he'll probably go out in the first round should he make it to TO. :sad:

[cazza99]

Mirror (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-faces-seven-matches-1203478#.UBrk9Dvq7Og.twitter) - Seven and hell: That's how many matches Andy Murray faces in just FOUR days

Orange (http://web.orange.co.uk/article/sports/murray_and_robson_claim_win) - Murray and Robson claim win

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19104334) - Olympics tennis: Murray and Robson advance to quarter-finals

[cazza99]

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-team-player-andy-murray-on-course-for-mountain-top-at-london-2012-8002249.html)- Tennis: Team player Andy Murray on course for mountain top at London 2012

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/london-2012-olympics-andy-murray-in-medal-hunt-with-djokovic-up-next-1-2446865)- London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray in medal hunt with Djokovic up next

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-vows-to-show-a-ruthless-1208973) - London Olympics: Andy Murray vows to retain ruthless streak against Novak Djokovic

Express (http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/337218/LOCOG-are-court-out-by-Royal-visitors) - LOCOG ARE COURT OUT BY ROYAL VISITORS

The visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was known in advance but that did not stop the referee from putting Andy Murray’s match on No 1 Court rather than allowing them to use the secure facilities behind the Royal Box.

It is thought to be the first time senior royals have visited anything but Centre, and the question is how room was made for the entourage at short notice.

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/murray-robson-mixed-doubles-212302646.html)- Murray and Robson through in mixed doubles

Express (http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/337201/Andy-Murray-waits-for-a-royal-booking-at-London-2012-Olympics)- ANDY MURRAY WAITS FOR A ROYAL BOOKING AT LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2182788/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murray-Laura-Robson-mixed-doubles.html) - Double delight for Murray as British No 1 and Robson launch gold bid

[cazza99]

Sports Illustrated (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/2012/writers/jon_wertheim/08/02/tennis-fashion-london-games/index.html)- Fashion expert weighs in on men's Olympic kits

Press Association (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jDPf-thexdRk2LWCOUIoP55y0I9A?docId=N0223591343992112522 A)- Tennis bosses defend schedule

[supergran]

Is the transcript of the interview done by professional writers? I need to know.;)

[cazza99]

ITF tennis (http://2012.itftennis.com/media/125744/125744.pdf) - Transcript of Andy press interview following Almagro -




A. Murray - 02.08.12 1
A. MURRAY/N. Almagro
6-4, 6-1
An interview with:
ANDY MURRAY

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Sprint to the finish line in the end. You must be pretty pleased with the performance?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it was good. I served well. From my side of the court, I played solid on serve. In the second set, he was struggling with his serve. He obviously had a problem with his shoulder. So it was much easier for me to return.
So from my side, it was good and important that I got off the court quickly. I've obviously got mixed later. If it had been a long one, we had a long mixed as well, that wouldn't have been great for tomorrow. But, yeah, getting off the court quickly was nice.

Q. How excited are you knowing you'll be back here playing for a medal on Sunday whatever happens?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it's great. You know, that was the goal coming into the tournament. It's nice to get the opportunity. If I win one of the next two matches, I'll give myself a shot at the medal. Obviously winning the first one is the most important thing just now.
Obviously going to be a tough match against Jo or Novak. I need to be ready for it. But, yeah, it's very exciting.

Q. What was it like having William and Kate there? Did you get a chance to speak to them?

ANDY MURRAY: I didn't see them after the match. It's always nice playing in front of royalty. They came a couple times during Wimbledon, as well. Probably dealt with that a bit better than I did the first couple of times.
I think it's great for tennis when you can get people like that coming along, it helps raise the profile.

Q. Is this schedule more demanding or less demanding given the three-set matches, but two matches in one day, for instance?

ANDY MURRAY: It's just different. You know, there's no sort of rest mentally. Obviously when you're playing Wimbledon, you get the day off. That always helps 'cause you can relax a little bit and get away from it. Whereas here, you know, pretty much every day we've played. That's what's challenging, is making sure each morning you get up and you're ready to perform.
Because it is such a quick match with the three sets, any mistake can cost you. I mean, physically it's easier. Mentally, I don't know whether it's easier or not. It's just different.

Q. It's enthusiastic to see the British public cheering so much for you, but also for the other British athletes. How much is this important in the situation of, for example, an economy that is not doing very well at the moment in the sense of the country itself as the recovery goes?

ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I don't know what it does to help the economy. I know what it does to help the athletes and give sort of a sense of togetherness.
From what I've seen and what I've been around, the whole of the country's got right into the Olympics, which is great.
But for the athletes, it makes a big difference to play in front of a home crowd. It does add a little bit of extra pressure, but normally, you know, it helps raise your game. I've always enjoyed it. We've done well so far.
But I don't know how important it is in difficult times or for the economy. I wouldn't know what difference it made. But I know for an athlete, it helps a lot.

Q. What does it mean for you to be playing for your country here? How important is that for you?

ANDY MURRAY: It's very important. And I think that's why it means so much to the players. I mean, I know there's a lot of people that think that maybe tennis isn't necessarily an Olympic sport. But I know how much I care about it and how much I want to do well here and want to try to win a medal, be part of the team and try and help Britain's medal count if I can. I've really enjoyed it so far. I hope I can go one better, you know, on Friday and get a medal.
But I really enjoy being part of a team and playing for my country. It's a different sort of emotion when you're on the court.

Q. I wonder what you thought of Bradley Wiggins' accomplishments in the last month or so?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it's been obviously great. One of the hardest competitions in sport is to win the Tour de France. It's not a sport that I followed loads over the years. I don't know too much about the ins and outs of it. But I've learned a lot just from watching the last sort of few races and stuff.
Yeah, it's been very good. You see what it's done to raise the profile of cycling, how good it's been for British sport. I'm sure we'll see a lot more cyclists on the roads over the next few months. That's what it's all about, is trying to get more people out, being active, inspiring kids to take up different sports.
He's done incredibly well.

Q. When you go home at night, chill out, watched the BBC's 24 Olympic channels, which sports stand out for you? Anything in particular you enjoy watching? Any moments that stood out for you so far?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, because of the timings, I mean, I've watched a lot of the swimming. When we got home in the evening, a lot of the finals and semifinals of the swimming has been on.
I saw the British gold medals yesterday, which is obviously great. But also seeing Michael Phelps pass the record for most medals in the Olympic Games history was pretty amazing. It was very hard not to support him. He did a great job. So I enjoyed seeing that, as well.

Q. Getting back to the Bradley Wiggins thing. Your coach is quite keen on taking on people in bike races. You told us he challenged McEnroe to one. He told us he challenged his daughter's boyfriends to bike races. Has he ever challenged you to one?

ANDY MURRAY: He does seem to think that he can keep up. Like when I do something in the gym on the various machines that we use, he always asks the fitness trainers what I'm doing, then tries to do the same thing. Seems to think that he's still in his 20s (smiling).
The last time he got on one of the machines that we use, he was trying to do one of the sessions. He lasted about 10, 12 minutes and was just laid out on the floor at the NTC in Roehampton. Didn't even make it to a mat. He was off the machine, lying on the floor.
He still wants to push himself, but he does think he is a bit younger than he is (smiling).

Q. You talked about home support, how much it helps you. Is it, therefore, a bit disappointing that you see hundreds of seats during the first set, when the hill is full of your fans cheering you on?

ANDY MURRAY: I think everybody would say ideally you'd like to see all the seats full in all of the stadiums. For whatever reason, you know, they haven't been. But the support inside the stadiums has been unbelievable, and outside.
So, yeah, hopefully over the weekend we'll get all the courts packed. Centre Court was very busy the last couple rounds I played there. Yeah, hopefully they'll all be full 'cause everybody wants to see that. There's loads of people that want to see the games, trying to get tickets. It's not easy. So, no, don't want to see any empty seats.
There's also a lot of empty seats in here, as well (smiling).

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/five-thoughts-on-murray-reaching-the-gold-medal-match/) - Five thoughts on Murray reaching the gold medal match

Darren Cahill called the quality of the second men’s semi-final “crazy good” and no one was going to take issue with that. “I have to admit,” said Cahill, who has worked with Murray in the past, “that the best-of-three format adds more urgency to the match.” Following Federer’s match against Del Potro on Centre Court was never going to be easy. But Serena Williams managed it – she crushed Victoria Azarenka. And then so did Murray and Djokovic. Right from the start, they were playing with purpose. And smacking the ball. It makes you wonder whether the slams should consider shortening their men’s matches.

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18916095) - Andy Murray to face Roger Federer for tennis gold medal

Wimbledon (http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2012-08-03/201208031344022437236.html)- Faultless Murray makes his way into Olympic final
by Alex Willis

Wimbledon (http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2012-08-03/201208031344026738215.html)- Bite-sized highlights from day 7 at the Olympic tennis
by Alex

[cazza99]

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/03/andy-murray-olympic-gold-medal-chance?newsfeed=true) - Andy Murray defeats Novak Djokovic to set up Olympic gold medal chance

Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/london-olympics/roger-federer-progresses-into-olympic-tennis-final/story-fn9dheyx-1226442693905) - Roger Federer to play Andy Murray in Olympic final

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2183349/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murray-beats-Novak-Djokovic-reach-final-Roger-Federer.html) - Murray blitzes Djokovic to book gold medal showdown against Federer

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/superb-murray-olympic-tennis-final-183441820.html) - Superb Murray into Olympic tennis final

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1284319-novak-djokovic-vs-andy-murray-brit-wins-sets-up-wimbledon-rematch-vs-federer) - Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray: Brit Wins, Sets Up Wimbledon Rematch vs. Federer

Telegraph (Andy Murray will face Roger Federer in London 2012 Olympics final after beating Novak Djokovic 7-5, 7-5) - Andy Murray will face Roger Federer in London 2012 Olympics final after beating Novak Djokovic 7-5, 7-5

Eurosport (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/andy-murray-another-chance-against-roger-federer-olympic-210200558--oly.html)- Andy Murray to Get Another Chance Against Roger Federer for Olympic Gold: Fan's Take

[cazza99]

Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/08/03/federer-murray-will-play-for-gold-at-london-games/?test=olymp)- Federer, Murray will play for gold at London Games

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-britains-andy-murray-defeats-novak-djokovic-to-win-through-to-final-8005795.html) - Tennis: Britain's Andy Murray defeats Novak Djokovic to win through to final

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19123124)- Andy Murray boosted for Olympics final v Roger Federer

[cazza99]

itf site (http://2012.itftennis.com/media/125901/125901.pdf) - transcript of Andy's post match presser (following Djokovic)


A. MURRAY/N. Djokovic
7-5, 7-5
An interview with:
ANDY MURRAY

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Have you ever experienced a match like that before, the atmosphere, the occasion, the significance of what was hanging on it?

ANDY MURRAY: No, I don't think so. I mean, you've probably covered more tennis than I since I've been around. And, yeah, the atmosphere is unbelievable. Different to pretty much anything I've been in before. I obviously played in big matches, night matches US Open we always said was the best atmosphere, but it's not even close to what it was today. Obviously playing with the home support, that helps the atmosphere.
But, yeah, that was unbelievable.

Q. Less than a month before you lost to Federer, but within a month you are playing against each other in the Olympic final. Do you think this is the time to taking revenge?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, I want to try and win. I don't think going into matches trying to get revenge for something that's happened in the past really helps. I think you need to try and focus on the future.
The one thing I hope on Sunday, you know, he's not played for the gold medal in singles before, and most times when I played him, you know, he's experienced the situations way, way more times than me. He probably played eight Wimbledon finals or something like that. For me, it was my first one.
It's so rare for him to be in a position, you know, where he's trying to do something new because he's achieved so much in tennis. I hope that will even things out a little bit.
It's going to be a tough match. Obviously I'll need to play great tennis to win. I hope it's a great match because I think the way the matches went today, I think the tournament deserves a great final. I hope we can provide that.

Q. You said the atmosphere was the greatest you've experienced. Would you rank your performance up amongst the finest of your career, as well?

ANDY MURRAY: I think first set I played really well. I hit the ball really well. It was windy conditions.
Second set, you know, there wasn't that many rallies in comparison to the first set. There were some great points in the first set, not so many in the second. But I served well when I was down. He had a lot of breakpoints in the second set, and I served really well on those points, hung tough in those moments. And, yeah, just managed to get the break in the end.
He made mistakes in the last game. But the conditions were very tricky today, very windy on the court. That's probably why he made those mistakes.
But first set I played really, really well.

Q. You have a final to play on Sunday, but will you give yourself a moment to enjoy the fact that whatever happens you're going to go home with an Olympic medal?

ANDY MURRAY: I think that's why you saw even Federer today was very emotional after his win. It was an amazing match, really long match. But, yeah, just to have guaranteed yourself a medal. Because, you know, coming into semifinals, when you had Djokovic, Roger and Del Potro, there was definitely no guarantees of winning one. So to get through and guarantee yourself a medal was great. That's what I wanted to try and achieve before the tournament started.
But, yeah, now I'm in the final, chance to win a gold medal. Not have that chance for another four years. So I'll give it everything I can to try and do that.

Q. Simple question. What would it mean to you to win it?

ANDY MURRAY: I don't know. You can't say until those things happen. I mean, I know how much winning tonight meant to me. It was, yeah, one of the biggest matches of my career, one of the biggest wins of my career. Yeah, it was one of the most emotional I've been after a match, so happy to win. You don't see me smiling that much normally. I haven't stopped smiling since I came off the court.
I mean, even afterwards, like all the volunteers and staff are just so, like, pumped, so happy. All the people that obviously came to watch and have hung around outside, it's so different to what we normally experience in tennis. It's so, so different. We normally just get the people, you know, on our team congratulating us after we've won a tournament. It's so, so different at this event.

Q. Was there ever any moment in that match when you felt you were too fired up and wondered whether you would have to calm down or did you want to keep the adrenaline pumping all the way?

ANDY MURRAY: I think because a three-set match, it's not a bad thing, you can probably maintain it. Over a five-set match, you need to be a bit more reserved and try and conserve your energy a little bit.
I don't feel tired at all right now. I don't know if that's just 'cause of the adrenaline. But, yeah, you know, it was a two-hour match. Obviously, like I said, in the first set a lot of long rallies. Mentally I feel really fresh right now. I don't feel tired physically at all. Normally after playing a match with Novak, you will feel a bit fatigued. I feel fine.

Q. Does knowing you've already got a medal take the pressure off a little bit for Sunday or do you go in with the attitude of gold or nothing?

ANDY MURRAY: I think you have to go into any final with the attitude of I'm going in to win the match. I don't know. I've never been in this position before, so I don't know whether I will feel less pressure on Sunday or more.
I know how much winning tonight meant to me, so I'm sure winning on Sunday would mean more than tonight. But, yeah, there's a long way to go in the event. I've got mixed doubles to play tomorrow, as well, with a chance obviously to win a medal in that as well. That's why I'm playing mixed, to try to win one. It's a great position to be in.

Q. Which one is more important to you, an Olympic gold medal or a Grand Slam title?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, if you asked me before the tournament, I would have said, you know, within tennis, a Wimbledon title, a slam title is the most important thing to do in your career. But within sport, a gold medal is, for sure, the pinnacle. Everyone understands what a gold medal is.
After what I experienced tonight, I mean, it would be right up there with anything else that I could achieve in tennis. So it's impossible to say because I've never won a slam before. I haven't won a gold medal before. But winning a silver medal at least feels really good. And losing in the final of a Grand Slam felt terrible (smiling).
It's different. I can't say.

Q. You've had some trouble in the past bouncing back from big defeats, Grand Slam finals. Why do you think you've been able to play so well almost right away again here and lift your level?

ANDY MURRAY: I think because the Olympics was coming up. I know when I lost in the Olympics last time how tough that was for me. I was really disappointed. I know we don't get this chance very often. A lot of times after the slams when I'd done well, in Australia, there's quite a long break before there's any more of the big tournaments again. Also after US Open, as well.
I think the guys around me, having someone like Ivan around, having him to talk to, I think that's probably helped with it. And also the support I got after Wimbledon I hadn't also had in the past. That made me want to get on the practice court and get in the gym again, because normally after I lost tough matches it had taken me a good few weeks or months before I wanted to get my head back in a gym or on the practice court.
I did it almost straightaway. It took a few days to get over, even when I got back on the practice court. With this event coming up, with the support I had after Wimbledon, that is why I think I played well again.



to be continued .............................

[cazza99]

........................transcript continued


Q. When you play the ordinary Wimbledon, you are always on the front page the whole fortnight. During the Olympics, you may find yourself on page 22 or 16. Does it make any difference in terms of pressure? I know you don't read the media much.

ANDY MURRAY: I do. I just don't read your stuff (laughter).

Q. You are one of the possible gold medalists and there are so many already.

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I think the thing that's different about it is, yeah, I mean I said it a few days ago, when you play at Wimbledon, yeah, you're the only person -- I'm not the only person, but the only competition that seems to be talked about, it's the biggest sporting competition at that time. Obviously I get a lot of coverage over that period.
But I can actually turn the TV on and watch all the other sports. I don't have to hear anybody talking about me. I can support all the other athletes. That's what's nice about it.
You know, in the locker room, it's great. We watched rowing today. We watched some of the heptathalon. Watched some of the judo. We watch sport, and I love sport. It's been really nice to have that distraction in a way to keep your mind away from the tennis.
But the pressure of trying to win a medal and be part of the team and try and help out the country's medal count, that's pretty great. Obviously, when you play in atmospheres like that, of course there's pressure. But it's fun, as well.

Q. You said earlier how a defeat in Grand Slam finals has left you feeling terrible. Surely there must be part of you that feels fantastic to get Roger back on the same court where he upset you last time around?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, yeah. I mean, anybody that knows me knows that I won't go into the match on Sunday happy with just having a silver medal. I go into the match 100% trying to win. I'll give everything I can on the court.
Yeah, I mean, playing against Roger is always tough. I've had some good wins against him and I've had some tough losses against him. I will have learnt, you know, a bit from the Wimbledon match, as well. I'll look and talk with the guys about that match and the tactics for going into Sunday.
But, yeah, there's obviously huge motivation to try and win a gold medal. Obviously, winning against Roger in a match like that is obviously fairly significant, as well. So, yeah, I mean, I'll be desperate to win on Sunday.

Q. You already lost a few major titles. Do you think from the mental side it's a little advantage going into an Olympic final, not in a major final?

ANDY MURRAY: No, I don't think so. I mean, I lost to some pretty good players in the slam finals. You know, Roger has won 17 slams. It's been tough guys I've lost against. You know, last few years I played really well in the slams. I've never lost matches really that I probably should have won. I just haven't managed to win against Roger in a final of a slam. Obviously lost to Novak in Australia.
Yeah, I've had some tough losses. But I've always tried to come back. I haven't ever, you know, let it get me down for too long. I've always used it as a motivation to try and get better. One of these days I'll do it.

Q. When you look back on the Wimbledon final four weeks ago, you go into this one on Sunday, do you expect to do anything different? Do you need to do anything different to the way you played in the Wimbledon final?

ANDY MURRAY: I mean, there's a few things I'll maybe do differently. But tactically, I was pretty good in that final. I had my opportunities in the second set. I went for my shots on those chances. Just maybe didn't make the best shot selection.
So, yeah, there's some things I'll try and do a bit differently. But I did play very well in that final. Didn't play a bad match. Roger played some great tennis. You know, I think he played great when we went under the roof. That was the difference. I played at a high level throughout. He just raised his level in the middle of the third set.
So, you know, I'll keep with similar tactics, but there will be a few things I'll probably do differently.

Q. You talked about the atmosphere, the volunteers being pumped up. Do you think perhaps this is maybe the most enjoyable tournament you've ever played?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, I think in terms of, yeah, just enjoyment, yeah, it's probably the most fun I've had probably at a tennis tournament.
You know, the only thing I would have liked to have done is to stay at the village. But, you know, it was not going to work. Like tonight, you know, after the match, I had to go back there, then obviously I think we're playing mixed at 12 tomorrow. It wouldn't really work out.

But it's been great fun just because everybody's so together really. You don't get that. Like I said, you don't really get that in tennis much. So it's really nice to be part of this team, to be part of the whole event 'cause I think they've done a great job so far. Yeah, really, really enjoying it.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

[cazza99]

itf tennis (http://2012.itftennis.com/media/125905/125905.pdf)- transcript of Djokovic's presser after being beaten by Andy

itf tennis (http://2012.itftennis.com/media/125906/125906.pdf) - transcript of Federer's presser after his semis

Q. Would you be kind enough to imagine that you will be playing Andy Murray on Sunday. Are you confident you can replicate the final at Wimbledon? Do you think the partisan home crowd could be an advantage?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, could be. Look, he got amazing crowd support in the Wimbledon finals. I was able to handle that. But there's never a guarantee. I don't know how much the crowd, you know, plays into the outcome of the match really because he's such a great player anyways. I've been around, as well.
I think should be a great match regardless now of Murray and Djokovic. I don't want to be disrespectful because they haven't played yet. He has his hands full with Novak. That's a great semifinals for me to watch because they're some of the best players on tour.
Of course, I would love to play Andy. I also would love to play Novak. This is obviously great playing either one in the Olympic final.

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19127764)- Andy Murray & Laura Robson win in Olympics tennis mixed doubles

Herald - (http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/andy-murray-will-go-for-golden-double-after-triumph-with-laura-robson.1344098196) Andy Murray will go for golden double after victory with Laura Robson

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-andy-murray-to-face-roger-federer-in-the-london-2012-final-on-the-back-of-some-of-the-best-tennis-of-his-career-8007339.html) - Tennis: Andy Murray to face Roger Federer in the London 2012 final on the back of some of the best tennis of his career

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-andy-murray-and-laura-robson-guarantee-medal-with-victory-over-germany-in-mixed-doubles-semifinal-8007267.html)- Tennis: Andy Murray and Laura Robson guarantee medal with victory over Germany in mixed doubles semi-final

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/london-olympics-2012/sport/story/163650.html) - Murray & Robson guaranteed silver after reaching final

Hollywood Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/olympics-2012-bbc-tennis-wimbledon-andy-murray-roger-federer-ratings-358355)- Olympics 2012: BBC Hopes Tennis Serves Up Ratings Success

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19125928) - Can Andy Murray beat Roger Federer to win Olympic gold?

ESPN - (http://www.espn.co.uk/london-olympics-2012/sport/story/163560.html) Murray has Federer plan in mind

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1284687-olympic-tennis-2012-what-beating-roger-federer-would-mean-for-andy-murray)- Olympic Tennis 2012: What Beating Roger Federer Would Mean for Andy Murray

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/london-2012-olympics-magnificent-andy-murray-seals-gold-medal-showdown-with-roger-federer-1-2449321)- London 2012 Olympics: Magnificent Andy Murray seals gold medal showdown with Roger Federer

Herald (http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/olympics/murray-left-emotional-by-rousing-support-after-reaching-olympic-final.18360133)- Murray left emotional by rousing support after reaching Olympic final

Mail - (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2183427/Olympic-pink-taken-Pimms-banned--Andy-Murray-gold.html) Olympic pink has taken over and even Pimm's is banned... but at least Andy's up for a gold

Press Association (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5h6u3dBVaxxzOMNg3kj6M2CItV1fA?docId=N02389913 44028823489A) - Murray can't stop smiling after win

[cazza99]

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2183586/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murray-Laura-Robson-reach-final.html?ito=feeds-newsxml) - Murray and Robson at the double to reach Olympic final at Wimbledon

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/04/andy-murray-laura-robson-olympic-final?newsfeed=true)- Andy Murray and Laura Robson through to Olympic tennis final

STV (http://sport.stv.tv/world-sport/113857-andy-murray-and-laura-robson-reach-olympic-mixed-doubles-final/) - Andy Murray and Laura Robson reach Olympic Mixed Doubles final

[cazza99]

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/edinburgh-festivals/previews)- London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray and Laura Robson on course for double gold as they reach final

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/murray-robson-reach-olympic-mixed-doubles-final-163656964.html)- Murray and Robson reach Olympic mixed doubles final

ESPN (http://www.espnstar.com/olympics/tennis/news/detail/item834656/Murray-ready-to-give-it-all-for-gold/) - Murray ready to give it all for gold

LTA site (http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/Olympics/News/2012/Murray--Robson-win-in-Olympics-mixed-doubles/) - Murray & Robson into Olympics mixed doubles final

ATP site (http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/07/31/London-Olympics-Friday-Djokovic-Murray.aspx)- Murray To Play Federer For Olympic Gold; Beats Djokovic In SFs

[cazza99]

BBC - (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19128076) Olympics tennis: Murray and Robson delighted to make final
video interview

[cazza99]

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/andymurray/9452755/London-2012-Andy-Murray-to-fight-for-two-gold-medals-in-one-day.html)- London 2012: Andy Murray to fight for two gold medals in one day

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9452664/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murray-insists-that-he-will-not-be-fatigued-for-two-tennis-finals.html)- London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray insists that he will not be fatigued for two tennis finals

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/04/andy-murray-london-2012-olympics)- Andy Murray will feel the love against Roger Federer in London 2012

Evening Standard (http://www.standard.co.uk/pasportsfeeds/murray-i-want-two-gold-medals-8007705.html)- Murray: I want two gold medals

Evening Standard (http://www.standard.co.uk/pasportsfeeds/murray-and-robson-going-for-gold-8007503.html)- Murray and Robson going for gold

Metro (http://www.metro.co.uk/olympics/907465-colin-murray-andy-murrays-tears-told-me-tennis-is-worth-its-salt-at-olympics)- Colin Murray: Andy Murray's tears told me tennis is worth its salt at Olympics

[cazza99]

Toronto Star (http://www.thestar.com/sports/tennis/article/1237200--canada-s-filip-peliwo-milan-pokrajac-bow-out-of-rogers-cup-qualifying) - Canada’s Milos Raonic could face Andy Murray in third round of Rogers Cup

[cazza99]

Bleacher - (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1285079-olympic-tennis-2012-andy-murray-has-edge-vs-roger-federer-in-wimbledon-rematch) Olympic Tennis 2012: Andy Murray Has Edge vs. Roger Federer in Wimbledon Rematch

ATP tennis (http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/07/31/London-Olympics-Saturday-Medal-Match-Preview.aspx) - Olympics Gold Medal Match Preview: Federer vs. Murray

AFP (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5guBAuaH_4kxqNln5-3uMUk5pp2QQ?docId=CNG.375bc157ea177001c7a67b133f26 eac8.61)- Murray leads charge for more GB golds on Sunday

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/london-olympics-andy-murray-v-1220862) - No more nearly man: Andy Murray inspired by Katherine Grainger's golden show ahead of Olympic final

They go into the match on level terms with eight wins apiece in their career rivalry but after a debriefing session with Ivan Lendl, his coach, and the rest of his team after the Wimbledon final, Murray thinks he has learned crucial lessons from their last encounter.

Murray said: “I didn’t do much wrong in that final. It was just a couple of certain patterns of play that maybe I could have done a little bit more.

“Also, Roger wins a lot of matches because he changes tactics mid-match and he might have done something that stopped me from playing the patterns that were working at the beginning.

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/9452501/London-2012-Olympics-Team-GB-hoping-for-Super-Sunday.html)- London 2012 Olympics: Team GB hoping for 'Super Sunday'

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/other-sports/andy-murray-bids-for-olympic-glory-1220545)- What a golden night for Britain! And now Andy Murray has two shots at glory

Bleacher - (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1285403-2012-olympic-mens-tennis-singles-final-can-andy-murray-redeem-himself) 2012 Olympic Men's Tennis Singles Final: Can Andy Murray Redeem Himself?

McEnroe, later in an interview on NBC with Mary Carillo, said that finally the English crowd stopped being “so damn polite” and was “vociferous” with waving flags and “chanting GB.” It finally got Murray “fired up and into it.”

Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/04/olympics-tennis-federer-murray-wimbledon_n_1742712.html) - Roger Federer, Andy Murray In Wimbledon Rematch For Olympic Gold Medal

Scotland on Sunday (http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/sport/alix-ramsay-the-same-but-different-for-andy-murray-1-2451543) - Alix Ramsay: The same, but different for Andy Murray

Scotland on Sunday (http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/uk/london-2012-olympics-andy-murray-heads-for-two-finals-in-a-day-1-2451101) - London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray heads for two finals in a day

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19043245)- Olympics tennis: Wimbledon, but not as you know it

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/on-court/olympic-diary-mixed-doubles-takes-centres-stage/) - Olympic diary: Mixed doubles takes centre stage
by Alex Willis

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/the-tennis-space-andy-murray-quiz/) - The Tennis Space Andy Murray Quiz

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/five-thoughts-on-andy-murray-winning-olympic-gold/) - Five thoughts on Andy Murray winning Olympic gold

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18907001) - Andy Murray wins men's singles Olympics tennis gold

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19136775) - Olympics Tennis: Andy Murray wins gold for GB
video

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9453451/Andy-Murray-wins-tennis-Olympic-gold-with-straight-sets-destruction-of-Roger-Federer.html) - Andy Murray wins tennis Olympic gold with straight-sets destruction of Roger Federer

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/05/andy-murray-olympic-gold-great-britain?newsfeed=true) - Andy Murray beats Roger Federer to win Olympic gold for Great Britain

After the early jousting, it was almost embarrassingly one-sided as Federer, recently restored to No1 in the world, went fully an hour without winning a game. That is a remarkable statistic.

"Definitely easier winning in the final than losing," Murray said. "This is the way to come back from the Wimbledon final. I'll never forget it.

Montrose Review (http://www.montrosereview.co.uk/news/scottish-headlines/dunblane-cheers-local-hero-murray-1-2451934) - Dunblane cheers local hero Murray

Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/london-olympics/andy-murray-finall-wins-at-wimbledon-beats-roger-federer-for-gold-medal/story-fncv4vxm-1226443514244)- Andy Murray finally wins at Wimbledon, beats Roger Federer for gold medal

Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/olympicsnow/la-sp-on-andy-murray-20120805,0,2194949.story) - London Olympics: Andy Murray wins gold medal in men's tennis

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9454040/Andy-Murray-climbs-into-the-Wimbledon-stands-to-celebrate-biggest-win-at-London-2012.html) - Andy Murray climbs into the Wimbledon stands to celebrate 'biggest win' at London 2012

Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/london-2012-olympics/wp/2012/08/05/andy-murray-crushes-roger-federer-to-win-gold/)- Andy Murray crushes Roger Federer to win gold

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/london-olympics-2012/sport/story/163799.html) - Murray: Olympic win one of the biggest of my life

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1285607-olympics-tennis-2012-andy-murry-obliterates-roger-federer-for-the-gold-medal) - Olympics Tennis 2012: Andy Murray Obliterates Roger Federer for the Gold Medal

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2184012/Kim-Sears-shows-signature-style-Centre-Court-boyfriend-Andy-Murray-sweeps-Olympics-gold-Federer.html?ito=feeds-newsxml) - Kiss me Kim! Andy Murray heads straight for loyal girlfriend Kim Sears as he triumphs over Roger Federer in thrilling Olympics final - while she rocks her signature style with glossy hair and a Whistles frock

ATP (http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/07/31/London-Olympics-How-The-Gold-Medal-Was-Won.aspx) - How The Olympic Gold Medal Was Won

CNN (http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/05/sport/olympic-day-wrap/index.html)- Murray routs Federer for tennis gold, redemption

ATP (http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/07/31/London-Olympics-Final-Murray-Wins-Gold-Medal.aspx) - Murray Wins Historic Olympic Gold Medal At Wimbledon

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/game-set-match-gold-medal-andy-murray-made-it-look-terrifyingly-easy-to-defeat-roger-federer-on-centre-court-8008669.html) - Game, set, match, gold medal. Andy Murray made it look terrifyingly easy to defeat Roger Federer on centre court

The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/london-games/andy-murray-routs-roger-federer-to-take-gold/story-fne3bf2b-1226443520895) - Andy Murray routs Roger Federer to take gold

Vancouver Sun (http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Andy+Murray+wins+Olympic+tennis+gold+with+stunning +victory+over+Federer/7044649/story.html) - Andy Murray wins Olympic tennis gold with stunning victory over Federer

[cazza99]

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-team-gbs-andy-murray-finally-wins-at-wimbledon-and-takes-home-a-gold-medal-after-defeating-roger-federer-8008625.html) - Tennis: Team GB's Andy Murray finally wins at Wimbledon and takes home a gold medal after defeating Roger Federer

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19084891)- live reporting


TENNIS

Judy Murray on how improved composure helped Andy in the men's final against Roger Federer: "This week in particular he has been very focused and very composed and I think that is the key to being able to consistently play great tennis.

"Not panicking is what Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are very good at now. Andy is maturing all the time but there has been a big difference in his composure, particularly this weekend.

"When he is composed can play consistently great tennis far more and that is what you need to do in the Slams, you need to be on it all the time. Hopefully he will have realised that and be able to take it with him for the rest of his career."

[cazza99]

The Slice (http://the-slice.com/2012/08/box-shots-team-murray-congratulate-their-gold-medallist/) - Box Shots: Team Murray Congratulate Their Gold Medallist

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-2184034/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murray-Laura-Robson-lose-mixed-doubles.html)- Murray denied second gold medal as Belarusians fight back in mixed doubles

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/05/olympic-tennis-andy-murray-dunblane?newsfeed=true) - Olympic tennis gold for Andy Murray 'fantastic', says Dunblane

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-what-now-for-andy-murray-after-olympic-triumph-8008734.html) - Tennis: What now for Andy Murray after Olympic triumph?

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18906645)- Andy Murray & Laura Robson lose Olympics tennis final

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/murray-robson-olympic-doubles-bid-ends-silver-154216435.html) - Murray and Robson Olympic doubles bid ends in silver

si.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/2012/writers/jon_wertheim/08/05/olympic-tennis-50-thoughts/index.html) - 50 parting shots on Olympic tennis

donsidepiper (http://www.donsidepiper.co.uk/news/scottish-headlines/stamp-to-honour-historic-murray-win-1-2451972) - Stamp to honour historic Murray win

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/05/andy-murray-laura-robson-olympic-silver?newsfeed=true)- Andy Murray and Laura Robson win Olympic silver medal for Team GB

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/now-for-murrays-first-grand-slam-in-new-york/)- Now for Murray's first grand slam in New York

Sports Mole (http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/tennis/team-gb/olympics/news/stars-congratulate-murray-on-twitter_38587.html) - Stars congratulate Andy Murray on Twitter

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/murray-win-shows-psychological-power-winning-streak-191757074--ten.html) - Murray win shows psychological power of winning streak

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19141953)- Olympics tennis: Defeat painful for Murray and Robson
video interview

Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/aug/5/london-olympics-2012-federer-murray-face-tennis-fi/)- Olympics 2012: Andy Murray drubs Roger Federer for gold

[cazza99]

BBCKheredine ‏@BBCKheredine

So, a shiny Olympic gold medal for @andy_murray. Hear the defeated Roger Federer wax lyrical about Dunblane's finest on @bbcgms tomorrow

[RoastLamb]

People magazine!!! (http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20612225_20618372,00.html) Can't believe this made it in there!

[cazza99]

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/tennis/story/_/id/8236089/tennis-andy-murray-bridesmaid-no-more)- Murray the bridesmaid no more
includes audio interview with Patrick McEnroe

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9454659/Andy-Murray-I-wouldnt-trade-my-Olympic-gold-for-a-Wimbledon-title.html)- Andy Murray: I wouldn't trade my Olympic gold for a Wimbledon title

“After Wimbledon, Ivan [Lendl] said I will never play in a match under that much pressure in my life and I did feel more relaxed going into this match than I did at Wimbledon.”

[cazza99]

sven groeneveld ‏@sven10s

Tomorrow's @Telegraph front page: Land of Hope and Glory http://pic.twitter.com/aIjNHW2Q @adidastennis @andy_murray #takethestage
https://p.twimg.com/AzkIkMeCMAAObTI.jpg
picture from twitter

[cazza99]

Press Associaton (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5h1cM5FM0ilU2A907RsJ8iim0z3OQ?docId=N02698113 44198305349A) - Robson enjoys her best week

Reuters (http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/08/05/uk-oly-tenn-temsin-day9-murray-love-idUKBRE8740NI20120805) - Olympic-Tennis-Murray's feeling the love, says mum

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1285822-andy-murray-what-can-be-expected-after-claiming-olympic-gold)- Andy Murray: What Can be Expected After Claiming Olympic Gold

Sports Illustrated (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/2012/writers/michael_farber/08/05/murray-wins-gold-medal/?xid=cnnbin)- Murray hands Federer a beating to remember in winning Olympic gold

[cazza99]

Telegraph (http://aggbot.com/Sport-News/516/article/17500006)- London 2012 Olympics: Wimbledon win at last as amazing Andy Murray feeds off fervent home crowd

Tennis World (http://www.tennisworldusa.org/OLYMPICS-Roger-Federer-Murray-was-extraordinary-I-have-a-medal-around-my-neck-and-what-I-want-articolo5296.html) - OLYMPICS-Roger Federer: ´Murray was extraordinary. I have a medal around my neck, and ´what I want

Contactmusic (http://www.contactmusic.com/news/celebrities-celebrate-andy-murrays-golden-win-in-olympics-tennis-final_1384322) - Celebrities Celebrate Andy Murray's Golden Win In Olympics Tennis Final´

[supergran]

sven groeneveld ‏@sven10s

https://p.twimg.com/AzkIkMeCMAAObTI.jpgPlease post this on facebook so I can share.
picture from twitter:GBflag::GBflag::gold::gold:

[RoastLamb]

Forget about Andy being land of hope and glory and all that. Take a look at the cute guy in the Chanel ad. Mmmm.

[supergran]

Cazza, can you send this to me.....would love it.

[ljs]

Forget about Andy being land of hope and glory and all that. Take a look at the cute guy in the Chanel ad. Mmmm.


:lol: WAY too young for me to be looking at

[Hawkeye]

Bit disappointed that most of the UK front pages went with big pictures of Usain Bolt.

[cazza99]

Cazza, can you send this to me.....would love it.

It is on twitter. Here is the link https://twitter.com/Telegraph/status/232226273693413376/photo/1

If you click on the link and then right click on the picture it there will be an option to save it.

[Reef]

My daughter has just texted me to say Andy was interviewed on Five Live (unfortunately I didn't hear it) and said Rafa texted his congrats immediately after the match! Bless...

[cazza99]

I haven't found the BBC interviews up on the websites yet.


BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19143847) - Andy Murray hopes Olympic gold will boost Grand Slam chances

Sky Sports (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12611_7967880,00.html) - Murray savours olympic glory
7 min video interview

Sky Sports (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12611_7967932,00.html) - Robson hails special week
5 min video interview

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/06082012/58/murray-olympic-win-greatest-moment.html)- Video: Murray: Olympic win was my greatest moment
video

[RoastLamb]

My daughter has just texted me to say Andy was interviewed on Five Live (unfortunately I didn't hear it) and said Rafa texted his congrats immediately after the match! Bless...

Of course! Would expect nothing less.

[rondun]

Some of 5 live's best bits:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wz0qp
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg91/scaled.php?server=91&filename=muttley4edtg8.gif&res=landing

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wyz3y
:OGwave:

[RoastLamb]

Interesting how I can watch the Sky videos but not the BBC's. Can't believe how calm and poised Laura is.

[Reef]

Interesting how I can watch the Sky videos but not the BBC's. Can't believe how calm and poised Laura is.

Yes - she'll be the one giving Andy tips on how to be the perfect interviewee soon!! She seems to have a lovely personality and doesn't have Andy's intrinsic shyness. I remember her from Hopman Cup two years ago and thought the same thing then. I'm sure Andy really rates her and did say so in BBC interview this morning but typically in his own inimitable low-key way....

PS. What a pretty girl she is now too.

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19141370)- Olympics: Andy Murray finally beats Federer when it counts
Mats Wilander, Annabel Croft and Tim Henman assess what an Olympic title could mean for Andy Murray

Youtube - (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhGH2y41pRw) Andy Murray - Q&A with an Olympic champion
video

[cazza99]

BBC - (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-19145504) Andy Murray's hopes Olympic gold will inspire young

includes audio interview by BBC Scotland (6 minutes)

[RoastLamb]

Yes - she'll be the one giving Andy tips on how to be the perfect interviewee soon!! She seems to have a lovely personality and doesn't have Andy's intrinsic shyness. I remember her from Hopman Cup two years ago and thought the same thing then. I'm sure Andy really rates her and did say so in BBC interview this morning but typically in his own inimitable low-key way....

PS. What a pretty girl she is now too.

Yes she really is pretty. Looks a lot like the girl who plays Tina on Corrie St.

[cazza99]

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-andy-murray-hopes-london-2012-can-act-as-springboard-for-us-open-success-8009812.html)- Tennis: Andy Murray hopes London 2012 can act as springboard for US Open success

One of the reasons Murray wants to go to Canada is because he will be linking up there with his coach, Ivan Lendl, for the first time since Wimbledon. Lendl will not be at next week’s Masters event in Cincinnati but will rejoin Murray in the week before the US Open, which begins in 20 days’ time.

Press Association (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5g0m1Qy8hYRL8ANqdXUwDPR9OpkZA?docId=N02884913 44262002591A)- Murray still taking in Olympic glory

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-19144871) - Andy Murray hug boy Henry Caplan, 11, 'overwhelmed'

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-19146974)- Pride from locals in Andy Murray's home town of Dunblane
includes video

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/andy-murrays-dogs-wear-his-olympics-1226178) - Pedigree champs! Even Andy Murray's dogs are celebrating his Olympic triumph

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/8238858/tennis-wide-open-field-toronto-masters)- Wide-open field at Toronto Masters

Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/london-olympics-2012/articles/great-britain/andy-murray/2012/08/06/britain-abandons-stiff-upper-lip-glory-games)- Brits abandons stiff upper lip for Games

The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/london-games/federer-happy-for-andy-murray-who-did-not-doubt-himself-in-the-final/story-fne3bf2b-1226444277352)- Federer happy for Andy Murray who did not doubt himself in the final

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1286463-olympic-tennis-2012-gold-medal-not-enough-for-andy-murray) - Olympic Tennis 2012: Gold Medal Not Enough for Andy Murray

Tennis World (http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Roger-Federer-I-enjoy-the-silver-medal-but-I-do-dream-about-Rio-2016-I-do-not-think-about-retirement-articolo5301.html)- Roger Federer: ´I enjoy the silver medal but I do dream about Rio 2016. I do not think about retirement.´

Tennistalk (http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20120806/Gold_medalist_Murray_slated_to_begin_Toronto_bid)- Gold medalist Murray slated to begin Toronto bid

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/tennis/blog/_/name/bodo_peter/id/8238800/2012-olympic-tennis-olympics-game-changer-andy-murray)- Murray toughest when it mattered most
Peter Bodo blog

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2012/aug/06/national-newspapers-olympics-2012) - Usain Bolt or Andy Murray: editors split over Olympic front pages

Now daily (http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/fashion-news/537974/andy-murray-s-girlfriend-kim-sears-is-a-winnner-in-a-whistles-dress-at-his-olympic-gold-medal-tennis-match)- Andy Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears is a winnner in a Whistles dress at his Olympic gold medal tennis match

STV (http://entertainment.stv.tv/showbiz/311684-kim-sears-proves-shes-andy-murrays-golden-girl-at-olympics/)- Kim Sears proves she’s Andy Murray’s golden girl at Olympics

Guardian - (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/video/2012/aug/06/andy-murray-gold-london-2012-olympics-video?newsfeed=true) Andy Murray celebrates gold and silver at London 2012 Olympics - video

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Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/london-2012-olympics-andy-murray-turns-sights-on-us-open-after-biggest-win-of-his-career-1-2452511) - London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray turns sights on US Open after ‘biggest win’ of his career

marieclaire (http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/fashion/537602/kim-sears-high-street-fashion-moment-as-andy-murray-wins-olympic-gold.html)- Kim Sears' high street fashion moment as Andy Murray wins Olympic gold

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/olympicsvideo/9455186/Andy-Murray-hails-London-2012-Olympic-campaign-as-best-ever-after-winning-gold-and-silver.html) - Andy Murray hails London 2012 Olympic campaign as 'best ever' after winning gold and silver
short video

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/london-olympics-andy-murray-puts-1225405)- Murray swaps tears of pain for smiles of joy in Olympic final

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/london-olympics-andy-murray-takes-1225037)- Andy Murray smashes Roger Federer to take Olympic gold

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/laura-robson-reckons-andy-murray-1225374) - Robson thanks Murray for 'best week of her life'

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/london-olympics-andy-murray-cheered-1225086) - Hometown cheers Murray on to gold

Reuters (http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/08/06/uk-oly-tenn-temsin-day9-murray-love-idUKBRE8740NI20120806)- Murray's feeling the love, says mum

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-gold-medal-winner-andy-murray-hints-at-marriage-proposal-to-longterm-girlfriend-kim-sears-8009650.html) - Tennis: Gold medal winner AIndependent - ndy Murray hints at marriage proposal to long-term girlfriend Kim

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/what-now-for-andy-murray-after-olympic-triumph-8008734.html) - What now for Andy Murray after Olympic triumph?

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1285869-olympic-tennis-2012-andy-murray-will-ride-olympic-gold-to-us-open-title) - Olympic Tennis 2012: Andy Murray Will Ride Olympic Gold to U.S. Open Title

Sydney Morning Herald (http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/news-london-2012/heres-proof-im-a-major-contender-20120806-23q5v.html) - Here's proof I'm a major contender

Mail - (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2184504/London-2012-Olympics-Andy-Murrays-dogs-wear-medals.html?ito=feeds-newsxml) Top dogs! Andy Murray's proud pooches show off his Olympic gold and silver medals

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Don't think this has been posted.

Slice (http://the-slice.com/2012/08/box-shots-team-murray-congratulate-their-gold-medallist/) - Box Shots: Team Murray Congratulate Their Gold Medallist
photos of Andy going into his box after beating Fed.

[-J-]

went in to newsagent in stornoway earlier and could not believe how many front pages Andy was on, especially seeing as bolt won yesterday to

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itf tennis (http://2012.itftennis.com/olympics/news/articles/london-2012-day-9-olympic-diary.aspx) - Day 9: Olympic diary


Wimbledon’s Henman Hill has been renamed ‘Medal Mountain’ by one British broadcaster after scenes of euphoria on Sunday.....


.....Several heads of state were among the 15,000 people watching the last day of Olympic action on Centre Court on Sunday.

The President of Switzerland, Mrs Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, watched her country’s gold medal hope Roger Federer win silver, and was joined by Dr Igor Luksic, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dr Nicholas Liverpool, the President of Dominica, Valdis Dombrovskis, the Prime Minister of Latvia, Sir Frederick Ballantyne, the Governor General of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip.

itf tennis (http://2012.itftennis.com/olympics/news/articles/day-9-murray-beats-federer-to-win-gold.aspx)- Day 9: Murray beats Federer to win gold
match report

itf tennis (http://2012.itftennis.com/olympics/news/articles/london-2012-day-9-quotes-of-the-day.aspx) - Day 9: Quotes of the day

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itf tennis (http://2012.itftennis.com/olympics/news/interviews.aspx)- transcript of Andy't presser after winning gold


A. MURRAY/R. Federer
6-2, 6-1, 6-4
An interview with:
ANDY MURRAY

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. We saw after your winning you ran over to your girlfriend and gave her a kiss. What does it mean to have her in the stands while you compete and what did that kiss feel like?

ANDY MURRAY: No, I mean, all the players will tell you in a sport like tennis, it's very individual. So the people that you have around you become extremely important parts of your life. Kim understands tennis very well. Her dad's a tennis coach. Having her around after the Wimbledon final, which was obviously a very tough loss for me, was great. She helps pick me up. She was the only person really I saw for about four days after the final. Yeah, having her around helps.
You know, the people that were in my box, they see everything. When people watch on the TV, they see the matches, they see your interviews before and afterwards. They don't see the hours on the practice court or everything you do in the gym. The guys that are up there are the people that see that. That's where all the work's done.
I've had a lot of tough losses in my career. So being able to go up to them after a match like today is great.

Q. I don't think I can top the first question, but the manner of the victory, as much as the significance of it, astonishingly one-sided match looking at the scoreline.

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, in a lot of ways the scoreline is irrelevant. But, you know, when I look back on the match, it will be one that I'll look at as the biggest win of my career for sure. It's definitely one of the best matches I played. I dealt with all the situations that were in front of me well.
There were some important moments in the match, right at the start of the match, important not to underestimate how the first few games are where I saved some breakpoints, then also the 2-Love game in the third set. We had some really long games in the Wimbledon final, as well, in the third set, and he got them.
Also in the Wimbledon final, I had chances in the second set to break and didn't get them. Today I converted those chances, and that gave me the momentum for the rest of the match.
You know, if those games or those points had gone the other way, it could have been a different match. But I took my chances today. I think I deserved to win.

Q. How much was sort of the responsibility you felt to Team GB was part of this triumph? Were you a bit surprised how you appeared to be swept along by the whole patriotic fervor surrounding this?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, I watched the athletics last night. Yeah, it was unbelievable. I said in my interview with Sue Barker afterwards, watching Mo Farrah after 9,600 meters, run a 400 meters in 53 seconds, when I'm completely fresh, I can only run one in 57 seconds is, you know, amazing. Just amazing endurance. Incredible, incredible to watch.
I don't know. It just gave me, yeah, I don't know, motivation to try to win that gold medal. You see how much it means to all of the athletes when they do it, how much work goes into it. I just obviously wanted to try and be part of that if I could.
Yeah, the atmosphere in all of the stadiums, when everyone's won gold medals in all of the sports, everyone's just been so happy and pumped. I'm just glad I've been able to contribute to that.

Q. You talked about the tough losses that you've had. How much sweeter do those make this moment?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it helps for sure. You know, yeah, I have lost some tough matches. Yeah, I've had a lot of questions asked about me many times.
I'm just glad that today I managed to put on a performance, I don't know, that I've been waiting for I guess.
It was obviously a huge match for me. It was a big match for Roger, as well. I'm sure it was something that he would have wanted to win the gold. It's one of the few things in tennis he hasn't done in his singles career. So it was a big match for both of us.
Yeah, just to win today, in the way that I did, makes those losses a little bit easier to take. Just to keep coming back from them, as well, because it has been tough at times. But that's why getting to spend that moment after victory with the people around you that have seen all of those losses and how tough it's been makes it special.

Q. At the end of the match, immediately after you won, you almost appeared to be in a little bit of a daze until you went up to the player box, then you ran onto the court afterwards. Was it hard to take in?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it was quite a strange feeling because after the Wimbledon final, I was really so overly emotional, you know, not only after I left the court, but for the next couple of days.
Here, after the match, I felt surprisingly calm. Yeah, I don't know if it was because we had the mixed doubles coming up or not, if I was just still really focused or not. I don't know exactly what it was, or if it just hasn't sunk in yet.
But I know when I get the chance to sit down with all of the guys and celebrate with my family tonight, I'm sure I'll get emotional again because it's been the best week in my tennis career by a mile.

Q. You seem to have made a very big fan out of a very small boy, the little lad who came up and hugged you afterwards. How important is it for you as an Olympic gold medalist to inspire young people to get interested in the sport?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, I was just saying out there that I think, you know, that's one of the reasons why the Olympics is so great. Everybody gets into it. Everybody gets into sports that they maybe never have watched before, never seen. You know, I'm no different. There's a lot of sports that I haven't really watched much of, but I get right into it.
Actually I thought that the boy, because he was in Roger Federer's box, and he asked me for the hug, and I didn't quite know how to react. I thought that maybe he was from Roger's team.
But, yeah, if we can get more kids playing sport, you know, the more chance there is of getting great champions and Olympic medalists. For tennis to get more kids playing, we'll get more champions because of that.
For a country of our size, we've done amazingly well I think so far in this Olympics. You know, if we could just get 5%, 10% more people playing any sports, we might be able to compete one day with the big, big countries, like the U.S. and China especially. We're not that far off.

Q. There were a lot of cynics out there who feel that the Olympics is or should be more about the smaller sports that don't often get the recognition, yet you saved the performance of your life for today. Does that in a way give a lie to that argument vis-Ã*-vis the inspiration? Roger was asked whether your performance would give you confidence in the slams. I know you always get asked this questions. He said, No, because he's a damn good player anyway. I wonder whether you thought it would inspire you when you have these big matches again in the future?

ANDY MURRAY: It will help I think with the way I go into the matches probably. You know, Ivan told me after the Wimbledon final that he was really happy with the way I played the whole tournament. He's never been around a British player during Wimbledon, so he maybe didn't quite know what it was like. He was saying, I'll never play in a match under that much pressure again in my life. So that's good news.
I did feel much more relaxed going into today's match than I did going into the Wimbledon final. I think now that I managed to win today...
I said, after I lost in the Olympics in Beijing, I knew how much that meant to me, how much that hurt me. I mean, I think that it belongs. I think the way the crowds were this week, you know, for all the matches.
You know, you take a mixed doubles match in the first round of a Grand Slam, there will be very few people watching. You get a mixed doubles match in the Olympics, you were looking at packed crowds throughout. People love to see all sports. Just anybody from their country doing well.
I think tennis belongs in the Olympics. I think this week, the way that the crowd have been in all the matches, proves that.

Q. You have to have mental strength. You only dropped one point on your serve?

ANDY MURRAY: Did you say I only dropped one point?

Q. Yes.

ANDY MURRAY: I had no idea.

continued .......

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.... transcript continued


Q. You looked like Superman out there in terms of mental strength today.

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, I think because of all the experiences that I've had in those matches, I know, for example, after something like the Wimbledon final, I knew that even when I had chances at the beginning of the second set, that the match is such a long way from being over, that I'm starting to find a way of treating every single point exactly the same throughout the whole match. When you do that, you tend to play better for longer in the match.
If you don't lose your concentration for any point really, you know, you can play a consistent match like I did today, play well from start to finish.
I think just a combination of learning from all of those defeats, you know, the Wimbledon final especially, will have gone into today's match. I hope this experience will make me a better player, as well.

Q. This Olympic gold medal, does it mean more to you than a Wimbledon title because you have a chance next year to go for it again? Would you swap it for the Wimbledon title or not?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, I got asked the question a lot of times before, in the three months before Wimbledon, almost every press conference I did, I got asked about that. Yeah, I got asked about it quite a few times this week, as well.
I would love to win Wimbledon, for sure. But this felt good. I wouldn't change this for anything right now, that's for sure.

Q. In one sense do you feel you've avenged the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer with this victory, and the way you played today, to get this gold medal, or do you keep them two entirely separate results?

ANDY MURRAY: For me, two separate results. But good to know that after that match, which, you know, you guys saw afterwards was a tough one for me to take, that I was still able to learn from it and not just look at it as, you know, I'd blown it in a Grand Slam final when I had my chances. You know, I've actually used it in the right way to become a better player. I hope that that showed today.
You know, having someone like Ivan around after that Wimbledon final was very important, as well, someone to talk to about the emotion, how it feels. He understands all of that. I spoke to him before today's match about the tactics, going over a little bit what happened at Wimbledon, used it in the right way instead of negatively, which in the past I've certainly done after a few of the Grand Slam finals.

Q. When next June you will read again that no Brit has won Wimbledon in 76 years, will you start laughing, which you don't do much normally, or will you take it seriously? Second question is, do you expect every player going to Rio, even if Rio doesn't have the same appeal as a magic place like Wimbledon in four years?

ANDY MURRAY: I think all the players will go to Rio, for sure.
And, yeah, I mean, with the first question, I don't think we've ever won a gold medal in tennis they said in over a hundred years. When it comes to Wimbledon, I'll know that it's obviously possible to win something that hasn't been done for a long time.
It's a long, long ways away. A lot of tennis to be played before then. I hope I come into Wimbledon next year fit and healthy and give it another shot.

Q. You talked about how this might help your preparation going into the US Open. How determined are you, now that you've beaten Roger in a five-setter in one of the biggest tournaments that there is? Secondly, about inspiring a nation, in terms of tennis itself, it's only a two-week sport in this country for a lot of people, but suddenly you have thousands of fans waiting outside, signing autographs, going crazy in the crowd. What you and Laura have done this week, do you feel you've raised the profile of tennis in this country, as well?

ANDY MURRAY: I hope it does. I think it shows when there is major competitions, you know, that helps get people into the sport. So, you know, we have, over that Wimbledon period, Queen's obviously, and Wimbledon get good coverage. Maybe if we could get a couple more big events, the O2 has been attended unbelievably well, I think it's been a great event.
I mean, we're starting to do a lot better. We had four girls, women, sorry, in the top 100. You know, the doubles we've done very, very well. I think we got maybe six or seven guys in the top 100s in the doubles. We are getting there.
But, you know, if we can just, yeah, make tennis a bit more accessible to kids, that's something that people talk about all the time, I don't know how easy it is to do that, but the more kids playing tennis, the more chance we've got of having great depth and this becoming an even better sport.

Q. And the US Open?

ANDY MURRAY: I think the US Open, it's probably not the best preparation for next week. But I think come US Open time, you know, I hope that this will have given me the confidence to go in there and believe in myself a bit more than I have in the past, you know, give myself a shot at winning there.
I played very well at the US Open in the past. It's a surface I like playing on. I always enjoy playing on Arthur Ashe court. Yeah, I hope I can have a good run there.
I have to be careful of the next two weeks not to do too much, you know, make sure I pace myself going in there because it's been a long couple of months already.

Q. Just looking at the mixed doubles, Laura mentioned she was quite disappointed with the result. Can you tell us a bit about what it's like playing with her, what she's like, the dynamic on court? Because she's quite young, do you have to take the lead? What sort of relationship do you have on and off court?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, I think for both of us it is disappointing. Yeah, I was a bit gutted at the end. It would have been so nice to win the gold. I think because we had so many close matches, as well, and the final came down to just a couple of points, I think it would have been great.
I think she handled, you know, the crowd and everything, for someone of her age, she is still young, and I think she dealt with everything really, really well. She played very well again today.
When we're playing the matches, I mean, for me, I'm more experienced than her, so I will try at times to maybe slow her down. But she's a very sort of -- she knows how to play tennis. She's a natural ball-striker. She knows what to do when she's out there. You just got to let her play.
A lot of people say you should be trying to sort of, I don't know, make the girl laugh or calm them down or whatever, but I didn't really need to do that at all. Just a couple of times tried to slow her down a little bit. But apart from that, she played great and dealt with all the different situations really well.

Q. As soon as you won, you appeared to put your two index fingers in the air, your eyes heaven-wards. Were you having a quiet word with the big man up there or was there someone in particular that was in your mind?

ANDY MURRAY: No, I mean, I was doing the same thing during Wimbledon. It's just something that I'm sure I'll end up doing for a while now.
But, yeah, there is a meaning behind it. But like I said during Wimbledon, it's for me and the guys around me. They know why I do it, and that's it.

Q. Roger, loads of Spaniards, Roddick have pulled out of Toronto next week. Are you still going? Secondly, you were talking about chatting with Ivan on the phone this morning. Did you formulate a game plan with him or did you do it with Danny or did you just do it in your own head yourself?

ANDY MURRAY: Basically I spoke to him a week after the Wimbledon final. We talked a little bit about the match then, things I did well, things I didn't -- things I did well, and things maybe I got away from a little bit towards the end of the match.
Today, I spoke to him on the phone for about three, four minutes. You know, a bit about the mindset, really the sort of way I was going into the match, how I was going to approach it, a couple of small tactical things. Then him and Danny spoke to each other. They spoke last night and then they spoke again this morning. Danny went over the tactics with me about an hour before I went on the court.

Q. Toronto?

ANDY MURRAY: Toronto, the plan is to go there and play. I was meant to be leaving tomorrow afternoon. It's looking like I'll probably leave on Tuesday now. And then the first match would be on Wednesday.

[cazza99]

itf tennis (http://2012.itftennis.com/media/126055/126055.pdf)- Laura Robson transcript presser after winning silver medal with Andy


our archives at asapsports.com
L. Robson - 05.08.12 1

MIRNYI-AZARENKA/Murray-Robson
2-6, 6-3, 10-8
An interview with:
LAURA ROBSON

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you sum up for us what winning silver means to you on home turf, in your hometown.

LAURA ROBSON: Uhm, well, I don't really know at the moment because we were so close to the gold medal. So for the moment I'm just a bit disappointed.
Uhm, but, you know, it's been a really, really good week. Just to be playing in the Olympics, I was really happy with that. Uhm, you know, at the start of last week, I just thought I was playing doubles. So to be a silver medalist is pretty cool. I'm looking forward to seeing my medal.

Q. After the first set, you must have really thought like you were going to win gold there.

LAURA ROBSON: Uhm, I wasn't really thinking of gold at that point because we had lost the second set with one of the other matches. Alls I was trying to do was play as well as I could, try and hold serve, which I didn't manage.
But I thought we played well today for most of the match. They were definitely a very tough team.

Q. Can you just tell us what it's like playing with Andy and what he's like on court and off court? Do you hang out?

LAURA ROBSON: Well, we're not exactly going out to the cinema.
You know, I think we play really well together. Uhm, we played well, considering this is the only tournament we've played together since Hopman Cup at the beginning of last year. Uhm, you know, it's always good to be playing with an Olympic gold medalist. I've really enjoyed myself.

Q. What was it like watching him win singles gold earlier?

LAURA ROBSON: It was amazing. I was so nervous. Oh, sitting behind Judy was even more nerve-wracking 'cause she was constantly talking, and I was just trying to calm myself down.
I was thinking, Oh, please, just serve it out. And he did. He did so well. The last game, he served incredibly well.
It was definitely a very, very good moment.

Q. What have you learnt about yourself in the past week and what have you learnt about playing with Andy?

LAURA ROBSON: Tough question.
Uhm, I don't know what I've learnt about myself. Just that I like playing on big center courts with crowds like that. They were incredible all week. I just really enjoyed myself during every match.
It was definitely, uhm -- you know, I definitely put a lot more pressure on myself to be playing for Great Britain, so I was a lot more nervous in every match. To get through to the final in one of the events was really good.
And, uhm, you know, playing with Andy was great. And, you know, I said thank you to him for playing with me because it's just been one of the best weeks of my life.

Q. Obviously today you faced the world No. 1. That's an opportunity that doesn't come around all the time. How much confidence has it given you going forwards?

LAURA ROBSON: Uhm, yeah, well, she's definitely the best player in the world.

Uhm, you know, she played really well today and she served really well when it mattered.
But, you know, I'm getting my ranking up in singles, so hopefully I'll be playing her more often.

Q. Where do you go from here? I'm assuming you're going to the States. Is there any danger of it being anti-climatic after here?

LAURA ROBSON: I'll leave for Cincinnati on Tuesday. I'll be playing Cincy, New Haven and then the US Open. I'll be entering the US Open as a direct entry for the first time, which is pretty cool. But I think anything is anti-climactic after this first week. This week has been a lot to live up to.
Uhm, you know, all I can do is get back on the training court, work hard, keep playing my best.

Q. You said you were slightly disappointed with the silver at the moment. But it is an amazing achievement. What are you going to do to celebrate?

LAURA ROBSON: I think we have to do more media.

Q. After that.

LAURA ROBSON: I think the plan is for us to go to the Olympic Park and do some BBC interviews over there and then come back. So I'm probably not going to have much time to celebrate.
But I am planning on going to watch the gymnastics tomorrow, which is pretty exciting for me. It's the first sport, other than tennis, I'll be able to watch live. It's good to get one other event in before I leave on Tuesday.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

[cazza99]

itf tennis (http://2012.itftennis.com/media/125970/125970.pdf)- transcript of Andy/Laura press conference following their semifinal win


MURRAY-ROBSON/Kas-Lisicki
6-1, 6-7, 10-7
An interview with:
ANDY MURRAY and
LAURA ROBSON

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Could you ever imagined when you were sitting there as a group of eight a couple weeks ago that you'd be sitting here in the mixed doubles final?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, yeah, I mean, I didn't know for sure if I was going to play at that stage. Yeah, obviously decided around the weekend. Yeah, it's been obviously a great decision. I've enjoyed the whole week.
Yeah, to be guaranteed a couple of medals going into the last day is excellent. Yeah, I mean, I wasn't expecting that. Maybe in one, but certainly not two.

LAURA ROBSON: Yeah, I had no idea I was even playing singles at that point. So it's been an amazing week for me. You know, uhm, I'm super excited for tomorrow and I'm sure we're going to do well.

Q. You seem to be making a certain specialty of winning match tiebreaks. Is there any particular secret to that?

ANDY MURRAY: No, I mean, to be fair, we played really, really well at the end of the match tiebreaks. In all of the matches when it's been tight, we just played really well, hit some great returns. Laura at the end came up with I think seven, six points, a couple of reflex shots. I served well in the super breaker. Hit a couple of aces at maybe 5-4 or 6-5 or something. Yeah, just played really well.
There's definitely nerves. You're nervous in those moments 'cause anything can happen. It was very windy on the court. But, yeah, whether it's luck or whether we've just been both playing really well at the same time at the right moments, I don't know. I don't know why that's happened.

Q. Andy, you said last night that you weren't feeling tired in the slightest. How are you feeling now?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I feel all right. I'm a bit stiff. But like today, it's sort of different. When you play singles, you know, I'm sore in the same places. When you play doubles, it's a bit different. You're trying to be quite explosive at the net. Quite quick points. Yeah, other things hurt a little bit more.
But, I mean, I'll do everything right tonight, yeah, make sure I'm in best possible shape for tomorrow because it's a big day and I want to do well.

Q. As a preparation for a massive match tomorrow, how would you compare it to what happened a month ago?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, yeah, it's very, very different. For me both matches are very important tomorrow. You know, I'd love to win two golds. I'd obviously prefer one gold than two silvers. Yeah, it's very different preparation than what I'm used to.
That's the beauty of this competition. You never see really singles players playing mixed much at the slams. Yeah, I'm sure tomorrow will be a great day. Hope I play well.

Q. Andy, both of you seem to be loving it, laughing at the end, enjoying the experience.

ANDY MURRAY: I enjoyed winning, yeah, at the end. Yeah, I had my game face on when we were playing the match, that's for sure.
Yeah, I mean, obviously, you know, yesterday when I won the match, I was very emotional. Today I was very, very happy with both wins. Obviously both of us were, 'cause it's a new experience for the two of us.
Again, keep going back to it, but in tennis we're so used to thinking the next week we have another chance. With the Olympics you're not guaranteed another chance. It's such a long way away. Anything can happen with your career. That's why every match is important here.

Q. Andy, Roger said yesterday that after a busy week, this tournament was ending for him like a slam, play a semifinal on a Friday, Saturday off, Sunday final. It's obviously very different for you. Do you feel in a way it's an advantage at all to have been busy today and not to be preparing for the final?

ANDY MURRAY: I have no idea. I mean, I don't know. I mean, obviously, you know, it's been another fairly long day at the courts. It doesn't feel like a slam to me. It feels like a different event entirely.
So, I mean, I wouldn't prepare like this for a slam final. But it's the Olympics and it's different, so I'm fine to play two mixed today and have no problem playing five sets tomorrow.

Q. Is there any particular gold medal that you've watched that British athletes have won that has particularly inspired you or you've enjoyed?

LAURA ROBSON: I liked the shooting. That was good.

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, the shooting was good.

LAURA ROBSON: Anything pretty much.

ANDY MURRAY: The rowing.

LAURA ROBSON: Cycling.

ANDY MURRAY: There hasn't been one. I've enjoyed watching all of them. Jessica Ennis looks like she's probably going to win gold tonight. Enjoyed watching a bit of her. Yeah, any gold medal is great. Anytime anyone wins any medal for the country, it's good.
There's a lot of people complaining after the first few days that it hadn't been a good Olympics, they were worried whether we were going to win a medal. Now I think we're third in the medal table. I hope we can contribute to that tomorrow.

Q. A few days ago John Lloyd was saying back in those very dim days when he used to win mixed doubles titles, there was an unwritten code that the male player wouldn't really hit the big, big, big shot at the lady player. Does that still apply?

LAURA ROBSON: Uhm, well, I'm sure if someone has an easy volley, they're not going to aim at my head. But I'm expecting them to hit it hard at me and I'm ready for it. I'm also expecting Andy to hit at the girl, because that's how you win the point sometimes.
You know, he's not going to hit it as hard as he can.

ANDY MURRAY: I might. If it means winning a gold medal or losing one (smiling).

LAURA ROBSON: Sometimes I'd like him to hit it harder at the girl, but he's too nice.

ANDY MURRAY: I think it's something that maybe has changed a little bit over the last five or six years. I know when I first played mixed doubles, it still felt a little bit like that.
I think with the girls getting bigger and stronger, hitting the ball harder, they'll take your head off if they've got the chance, as well.
I think you need to play the way to win the points. You're not ever trying to hit a player. But sometimes hitting -- Lisicki today hit a lot of returns off Laura's serve straight at me and it is very hard to react. It's sometimes a hard shot to play.
But yeah, you never want to hit anyone, but it happens in doubles.

Q. Do you feel in some way the mixed doubles perhaps sums up the Olympic spirit more than any of the other four events?

ANDY MURRAY: Than the other tennis events?

Q. Yes.

LAURA ROBSON: I don't think. I think the singles and the doubles is just as exciting. I was definitely pretty pumped at Andy's match yesterday.
I think it's completely different, like if you're watching at home you're going to get just as nervous for the mixed as you were for the singles.

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I think, like I said, both matches for me are equally as important tomorrow because I'm sure if I won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon, that would be great, but winning the singles at Wimbledon would be a much, much bigger deal. Whereas for me here, winning either counts for exactly the same in the medal table.
I'd obviously love to beat Roger tomorrow, as well. But either match, you know, would be great to win. I'm going to give it my best in both.

Q. Andy, could you give us a sense or compare how you would feel before the eve of your home Wimbledon final as to your home gold medal final on Centre Court tomorrow.

ANDY MURRAY: Well, the thing is, with the slams, like Wimbledon, after I won my match on Friday against Tsonga, you have all Friday night to think about it, all Saturday, then Sunday morning as well. Whereas, it's 6:00 just now or something. I have just this evening to get all my stuff done, watch some of the sport, and I'll be back here early again tomorrow to get ready.
It's very, very different. There's less time to think about it. Yeah, just want to go away, do all my recovery stuff, try to feel as best as possible for tomorrow. Yeah, it's going to be a tough day, but looking forward to it.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

[cazza99]

itf tennis (http://2012.itftennis.com/olympics/news/interviews.aspx) - transcript of Federer's press interview after being thrashed by Andy

[Linda]

Loving all the headlines: "Murray routs Federer", "Murray obliterates Federer", "Murray crushes Federer", etc. :big grin:

[davech]

Don't forget "Murray stuffs Fed". :big grin:

[-J-]

.... transcript continuednot sure about the response to the first question in the second part of the transcript, the bit about playing all points the same , that mean there will be no more murraycoasters ?

[cazza99]

tennis space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/our-favourite-moments-from-the-olympics/) - Our favourite moments from the Olympics

tennis space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/now-for-murrays-first-grand-slam-in-new-york/)- Now for Murray's first grand slam in New York

tennis space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/tennis-tweets-of-the-week/) - Tennis tweets of the week

tennis space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/five-things-about-kate-pippa-and-their-love-of-tennis/) - Five things about Kate, Pippa and their love of tennis

steveg tennis (http://www.stevegtennis.com/2012/08/6-reasons-murray-crushed-federer-for-the-olympic-gold-medal/#.UCAUDPAjGtc.twitter) - 6 Reasons Murray Crushed Federer for the Olympic Gold Medal

[-J-]

Loving all the headlines: "Murray routs Federer", "Murray obliterates Federer", "Murray crushes Federer", etc. :big grin:


Don't forget "Murray stuffs Fed". :big grin:I thought I was bad but you folk are obsessed by the goat ;)

[Linda]

At least we don't have the goat in our avatars. ;)

[-J-]

At least we don't have the goat in our avatars. ;)my avater is a goat free zone actually

[LC the fan]

Thanks to the mods for posting all these reports

How nice it is to be able to read them through without getting cross at some of the usual nasty comments. Everyone is very appreciative of Andy today and its great

[cazza99]

BBC - (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotland/19157579?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter) Andy Murray basks in golden glory
video interview with Kheredine

[cazza99]

Beyond The Baseline ‏@SI_BTBaseline

Gotta love Murray absent-mindedly swinging his medals around like plastic shopping bags. http://youtu.be/NhJdLfepvlg

[Genbrit]

Andy in Las Vegas Review Journalhttp://www.lvrj.com/sports/rule-britannia-murray-s-gold-brings-rush-of-emotion-165105226.html

[rondun]

Yes she really is pretty. Looks a lot like the girl who plays Tina on Corrie St.She always reminds me of the daughter from Lie to Me.

[cazza99]

Andy in Las Vegas Review Journalhttp://www.lvrj.com/sports/rule-britannia-murray-s-gold-brings-rush-of-emotion-165105226.html

Thanks that is lovely. There were so many articles on google, there was no way I could read and post them all. So if anyone else finds some good articles please post them.

[cazza99]

British Psychological Society (http://www.bps.org.uk/news/psychology-winning-helped-andy-murray) - Psychology of winning helped Andy Murray

More than the games (http://www.morethanthegames.co.uk/cycling/0718508-olympics-london-2012-schoolboy-hugs-murray-and-touches-nation) - OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Schoolboy hugs Murray and touches the nation

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/opinion/sport/hotline/sports-hotline-tuesday-august-7-1229712)- Sports Hotline: Murray is a true Scots ace

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murrays-joy-at-olympic-gold-1228837)- Living the dream: Andy's achievement only sunk in when he woke up the day after

si.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/tennis/wires/08/05/2090.ap.oly.ten.wimbledon/index.html) - Murray learns from loss, takes Olympic gold

Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/olympics/4474591/Andy-Murray-wants-to-add-a-Grand-Slam-to-his-Olympic-title.html)- Muzza eyes slam dunk
FLAMING GREAT ... Andy Murray shows off his medals in front of the Olympic flame

10sballs.com (http://www.10sballs.com/2012/08/06/andy-murray-expects-to-play-in-toronto-on-wednesday/) - Andy Murray Expects To Play In Toronto On Wednesday

CNN (http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/06/sport/tennis/olympics-tennis-federer-rio/index.html) - Federer considering Rio Olympic bid

The Age (http://www.theage.com.au/olympics/news-london-2012/heres-proof-im-a-major-contender-20120806-23q5v.html) - Here's proof I'm a major contender

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/other-events/tennis-gold-can-start-grand-slam-rush-says-confident-andy-murray-8009812.html)- Tennis: Gold can start Grand Slam rush, says confident Andy Murray

tennistalk (http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20120806/Raonic_concerned_about_missing_tennis_aces) - Raonic concerned about missing tennis aces

Herald Sun (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/london-olympics/the-grass-courts-of-the-all-england-lawn-club-almost-unrecognisble-during-london-olympics/story-fn9dheyx-1226444383574)- The grass courts of the All England Lawn Club almost unrecognisble during London Olympics

[cazza99]

Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/08/06/london-2012-battersea-dogs-britains-gold-medalists_n_1747889.html?utm_hp_ref=uk)- London 2012: Meet The Battersea Dogs And Cats Named After Britain's Gold Medallists (PICTURES)

Andy Murray - a Jack Russell cross - poses by a clutch of tennis balls - Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

[cazza99]

Wimbledon (http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2012-08-06/201208061344248428929.html) - What we learned from the Olympic tennis at Wimbledon
by Alex Willis

[cazza99]

Buzzfeed (http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/andy-murray-wins-gold-what-a-difference-three-wee) - Andy Murray Has The Fastest Redemption Story In Sports

a series of pictures comparing Andy at Wimbledon and London 2012

[traveller7]

Buzzfeed (http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/andy-murray-wins-gold-what-a-difference-three-wee) - Andy Murray Has The Fastest Redemption Story In Sports
a series of pictures comparing Andy at Wimbledon and London 2012

Love those pictures!

[supergran]

Thanks Cazza for that. Brilliant photos...have posted it on my facebook Timeline.:thanks::GBflag::gold:

[LC the fan]

Buzzfeed (http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/andy-murray-wins-gold-what-a-difference-three-wee) - Andy Murray Has The Fastest Redemption Story In Sports

a series of pictures comparing Andy at Wimbledon and London 2012

Just 4 weeks apart...but a world of difference

Those pictures just about sum it all up - thanks Cazza

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/should-mens-matches-at-the-slams-be-best-of-three-sets/)- Should men's matches at the slams be best of three?

[cazza99]

ESPN - (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/163929.html) Gold can be springboard to grand slam glory for Murray

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/andymurray/9459534/Golden-touch-the-team-who-got-Murray-to-Olympic-glory.html)- Golden touch: the team who got Murray to Olympic glory

STV (http://entertainment.stv.tv/showbiz/311797-andy-murrays-girlfriend-kim-sears-shows-off-medal-winning-puppies/)- Andy Murray’s girlfriend Kim Sears shows off medal winning puppies

[RoastLamb]

Tennis.com gives thumbs-up to Andy and Laura in their Olympic tennis roundup. (http://blogs.tennis.com/tennisworld/2012/08/up-williams-kirilenko-clijsters-kerber-gimelstob-mrray-jhewitt-delpo-tsongasnishikori-down-pova-agneiszka.html)


Andy Murray's gold-medal win was a superb performance, and it lent something enchanting to these Games, not least because of the painfully and elaborately chronicled troubles British men — including, to this point, Murray — have had winning Wimbledon.

Nobody is going the confuse winning the nine-day, six-round, best-of-three-set Olympic event (until the best-of-five-set final) with a triumph at a two-week, seven-round, best-of-five (from the start) Grand Slam event. In fact, some pundits are sure to point out that Murray was extra-lucky at Wimbledon because he's already shown that he's at his best in high-quality events played on a compressed schedule comprised of best-of-three matches. Murray has won many more Masters 1000 titles than anyone outside the Big Three. The next man in the rankings, No. 5 David Ferrer, has yet to win his first Masters event.

But I wouldn't confuse these Olympics with a Masters event for all sorts of reasons, including the singles-doubles workload carried by most players, the fact that third sets were played out (no tiebreakers), and that the final was a five setter. Say what you want, going out to face Roger Federer of Switzerland in a five-set final on grass at Wimbledon just doesn't compare to butting heads with him on cement over three tie breaker sets in Montreal.

Add the inherent pressure of playing for your nation, which doesn't diminish even if the Olympics as an entity overshadows any individual event, and particularly one that isn't exactly a classic Olympics sport (like, track-and-field or swimming), and you have to be impressed by what Murray, part of "Team GB" accomplished in his little half-acre.



Andy Murray and Laura Robson also deserve a great thumbs up for securing the mixed doubles silver, bowing in the super tiebreaker in the final to top-seeded Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. It was a great effort by the British, especially when you factor in that Robson is just 18 and Murray had just completed the men's final.

[gabalii]

Here in the states, Andy (or shall I say, Maggie Mayhem!) was featured on my company's news show, E! News, as well as E! Online.
http://www.eonline.com/news/335952/andy-murray-s-olympic-gold-medal-goes-to-the-dogs-literally

It was even on the front page of Yahoo!

Ya-hoo! for Andy and for Maggie and Rusty!

[davech]

Andy has donated his gold medal winning kit to the Wimbledon Museum (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151009404213732&set=a.94472193731.87058.15690358731&type=1&theater).

[cazza99]

STV (http://news.stv.tv/tayside/115468-andy-murrays-olympic-postbox-redone-after-vandals-picked-gold-paint/) - Vandals target postbox painted gold for Andy Murray's Olympic

si.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/2012/writers/jon_wertheim/08/08/london-olympics-mailbag/index.html) - Clearing out Olympic tennis mail
Jon Wertheim mailbag

TennisX (http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2012-08-08/10413.php) - Gold Medalist Murray Opens Hardcourt Season Today In Toronto; Djokovic, Del Potro Also In Action

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/9461661/Olympic-Games-inspires-interest-in-active-holidays.html) - Olympic Games inspires interest in active holidays

bettor.com (http://blogs.bettor.com/Shona-Robison-applauds-the-supreme-accomplishment-of-Andy-Murray-at-Olympics-Tennis-News-a178483) - Shona Robison applauds the supreme accomplishment of Andy Murray at Olympics – Tennis News

Tennistalk (http://www.tennistalk.com/en/previews/20120808/Murray_begins_Toronto_bid_against_Cipolla)- Murray begins Toronto bid against Cipolla

[cazza99]

Reuters (http://ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCABRE8771J520120808)- Olympic champion Murray advances into last 16 at Toronto

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/164281.html) - Murray returns from Olympic high with a win

CNN - (http://edition.cnn.com/2012/08/08/sport/tennis/tennis-toronto-murray-tsonga-djokovic/index.html) Murray powers on after Olympic gold medal triumph

AFP (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iUZKgTMIbITCiBQ2gS4yXCMXFt6Q?docId=CNG.e0ad6 bedb364f8da87ac32b665fb0008.b51) - Murray defies fatigue to advance in Toronto

[supergran]

Loved the piece on Laura in the si.com report.

[cazza99]

Sky Sports (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12611_7974567,00.html) - Andy's post match on court interview (the one while eating the cake)

[harriet]

this is the Laura piece, isn't if good."Random player story -- well, maybe not so random, but still worth sharing. I was working in the press office at the Fed Cup zonal tie in Eilat, Israel, in February 2011. On the very last day, on a back court with about 20 people watching, Elena Baltacha was playing an Austrian girl. By beating her, team GB would qualify to the WGII playoffs for the first time in forever. Laura Robson was sitting on the sidelines and cheering on her teammates. A young girl, maybe 12 years old, asked her whether after the match they could hit a few balls together. Laura smiled politely and replied: "Let's see after the match if I have time." I thought it was a nice way of saying thanks, but no thanks.

When Baltacha went on to win the match, the whole team, including team captain Judy Murray, leapt onto the court in jubilation. The same young girl went onto the court and asked Laura if they could hit a couple of balls. With no hesitation, when all her team was hugging, celebrating and talking to the press, Laura moved to the next court to play with this young girl. She then proceeded to round up all the other kids who wanted to play too, gave them all her own rackets and played with the kids for about 30 minutes, encouraging them and giving them tips.

Again, back court, huge win for GB, cold night in Eilat, no press watching her, no reason to care. I've been around all the Grand Slams, seen many players, but never someone so kind, gracious and generous as what I saw from Laura Robson. Class act! Consider me a fan.
-- Sophie, Tel Aviv

• Love it. Judy Murray? LTA? WTA? Neil Harman? An agent? Somebody forward this to Laura Robson. Players ought to know that these random acts of decency don't go unappreciated by fans.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/olympics/2012/writers/jon_wertheim/08/08/london-olympics-mailbag/index.html#ixzz2321kjeXD

[Madeline]

Murray's Hot Shot (http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Media/Videos/Uploaded/2012/8/8/Toronto-2012-Wednesday-Hot-Shot.aspx)

[cazza99]

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2185865/Andy-Murray-wins-Toronto-just-days-Olympic-heroics.html)- Murray already back in business after Olympic heroics as Scot easily beats Cipolla

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19189731) - Andy Murray reaches third round in Toronto

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-wary-of-milos-raonic-after-progressing-in-toronto-8025968.html)- Andy Murray wary of Milos Raonic after progressing in Toronto

Stirling Observer (http://www.stirlingobserver.co.uk/stirling-news/local-news-stirling/news-stirling/2012/08/08/stirling-salutes-golden-boy-andy-murray-51226-31571027/)- Stirling salutes golden boy Andy Murray

[LC the fan]

Andy has donated his gold medal winning kit to the Wimbledon Museum (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151009404213732&set=a.94472193731.87058.15690358731&type=1&theater).

I did have to smile at this one. In the Daily Mail they applauded Andy's generosity !

Now OK - it was a nice thing to do, but they all seem to be competing to see who can be Andy's biggest fan at the moment.

Its a pity they couldn't be more supportive when he was having tough times rather than all jump on the bandwagon when it is rolling.
Uuuggghh they make me angry

[pabbers]

I did have to smile at this one. In the Daily Mail they applauded Andy's generosity !

Now OK - it was a nice thing to do, but they all seem to be competing to see who can be Andy's biggest fan at the moment.

Its a pity they couldn't be more supportive when he was having tough times rather than all jump on the bandwagon when it is rolling.
Uuuggghh they make me angry

Think I'd just accept this new era graciously with a touch of smugness and a dash of "we told you so" ;)

[cazza99]

Andy's 2nd round post match interview is up on tennistv now

http://www.tennistv.com/video

[LC the fan]

You are, of course, right Pabbers except I'd add more than a dash of 'We told you so!'

[Aya]

ATP (http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/08/32/Toronto-Thursday-Murray-Withdraws.aspx) - RAONIC REACHES TORONTO QFS AFTER MURRAY WITHDRAWS

Includes what Andy said in his presser and a bit of Milos' too.

[ljs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP-KvOLYckQ&feature=player_embedded#!

awww Andy misses his medals :lol:

[cazza99]

Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/08/10/andy-murray-is-most-dangerous-search_n_1763286.html) - Andy Murray Is 'Most Dangerous' Olympian To Search For Online


According to McAfee, Britain's Olympic tennis champion is the most dangerous athlete to search for online.

Their investigation showed that searches for "Andy Murray videos" and "Andy Murray downloads" are the most likely of any British Olympian to turn up links to malware, viruses and other online nasties.

[pabbers]

Ouch - not good publicity.

[davech]

Andy has got another gold post box, this time in Wimbledon (http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/wimbledonnews/9867843.Murray_s_mum_sees_second_post_box_painted_ gold/).

[davech]

Andy has been made into a lego man (http://minifigs.me/day-9-in-the-olympics-team-gb-medal-rush-and-this-time-im-prepared/)! This is customised lego, so you can't buy it at the shops, but it's fun nonetheless.

http://minifigs.me/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Murray-Giant-Ball.jpg

[VamosVixs]

2 golden post boxes, a stamp and now a lego man, whatever next? :lol:

[Sallydaisy]

2 golden post boxes, a stamp and now a lego man, whatever next? :lol:
He became a lounge lizard (http://www.oceanarium.co.uk/images/custom/Andy Murray, the Oceanarium's spiny tailed lizard.jpg) ........

The Oceanarium (http://www.oceanarium.co.uk/view_news_article.cfm?nid=201) is celebrating the beginning of Wimbledon with a special first birthday of its very own Andy Murray. Born at the aquarium during the 2009 Wimbledon Championships, the resident spiny tailed lizard was lovingly named in honour of the British Number One.

True to his famous-sporting title, the Oceanarium’s Andy Murray has been completing warm-ups with his new tennis ball present in the run-up to the tournament. Lizard Murray has also cleverly been using his birthday toy as a stylish shelter. Used to Saharan temperatures of 35 to 45 degrees, it seems the little lizard could provide some tips for tennis-pro Murray on how to stay cool in the scorching heat, with temperatures during Wimbledon set to soar from 22C to a sweltering 28C by the weekend.

[Linda]

Re the Lego Andy:

Cute! They need to do some other tennis players, though - you can't play tennis by yourself.

[VamosVixs]

Re the Lego Andy:

Cute! They need to do some other tennis players, though - you can't play tennis by yourself.

Rafa!!! :thumbup:

[Linda]

Thanks Vixs - ideal choice, the previous gold medallist :)

[cazza99]

Wimbledon (http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2012-08-09/201208081344443656812.html)- Royal Mail unveil gold post box at Wimbledon for Murray triumph

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/oddballs-and-oddities-24/) - Oddballs and Oddities - the weird and the wonderful
by Alex Willis

Stirling Observer (http://www.stirlingobserver.co.uk/stirling-sport/latest-sport/2012/08/10/tennis-judy-murray-tennis-cup-51226-31588314/) - Tennis: Judy Murray Tennis Cup

[RoastLamb]

Tom Tebbutt's soggy blog from Toronto: (http://www.tenniscanada.com/index.php?title=Tebbutt:-Toronto-Is-Afloat&pid=4016)


In Wednesday’s blog, I requested my co-workers at Tennis Canada provide a picture of Murray being treated for the knee by a trainer midway through the second set of his win over Flavio Cipolla. I suspected that it could turn out to be more serious than it appeared and wanted the visual evidence in case it was a factor affecting his future in the event.

Murray has spent his whole career managing a bi-partite right knee (basically two separate bones in the patella, a condition that occurs in about one per cent of the population), but said that he has not previously had real problems with his left knee.

He made the point that normally he would have 10 days to adjust from grass to hard courts but, with the Rogers Cup starting the day after the Olympic tennis at Wimbledon this year, that had not been possible. Murray apologized to tournament director Karl Hale because he knows Toronto organizers were counting on him to help make up for the notable absences of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Personally, if I had been Murray’s coach, he would have gotten nowhere near Toronto after such a grueling grind as playing to finish of both Wimbledon and the Olympic tennis event, at the end of a grass court season that was twice as long as usual – eight weeks. That combined with the emotional toll that losing in the Wimbledon final and then winning the Olympics took on him, made just showing up in Toronto an “honourable,” to use Hale’s word, thing for him to do.

[cazza99]

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/tennis/knee-injury-leaves-murray-in-us-open-fitness-battle-1-2462482) - Knee injury leaves Murray in US Open fitness battle.

The Scot said he is unsure whether he can play in Cincinnati next week or what his status is for the US Open. “Over the next few days we’ll come up with a plan and strategy to either get myself ready for Cincinnati, or if not, then plan for the best way to prepare for the US Open,” Murray continued. “But today I won’t think about any strategies or whatever. It’ll just be about what’s the next move and where do we go from here.”

[Mickey]

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/tennis/knee-injury-leaves-murray-in-us-open-fitness-battle-1-2462482) - Knee injury leaves Murray in US Open fitness battle.Oh for goodness sake. I watched Andy's interview and he kept saying it was a niggle, not anything serious.He withdrew from Toronto so that he wouldn't cause any more damage and to recover from a lack of sleep and to get used to the hard courts. Given the awful weather and having to play twice in one day it was a sensible to withdraw so as to be ready for the big one. I think however he will play in Cinci.

[Madeline]

He did, however, say the words reported in a later interview. I have seen it on several sites. Hopefully you are right.

[harriet]

could be andy and lendl are getting their exit lines in early. i would love to see andy reduce del Potro to del boy status but i suppose andy does need to to cherish his knees, and another exit with fitness issues may ensue next week

[Reef]

could be andy and lendl are getting their exit lines in early. i would love to see andy reduce del Potro to del boy status but i suppose andy does need to to cherish his knees, and another exit with fitness issues may ensue next week

Totally agree. Of course we all hope it's not much more than a `tweak' or a `niggle' but being realistic about any sort of injury is not being `dramatic' in my book.

[LC the fan]

The Bleacher Report is saying that Novak's slight drop in form recently is down to 'Personal Problems' Not denied by Novak but obviously not enlarged on. I wonder what's happening ?????

[SamP]

He's practiced at Cincinnati today, so he's fine.

[Alis]

The Bleacher Report is saying that Novak's slight drop in form recently is down to 'Personal Problems' Not denied by Novak but obviously not enlarged on. I wonder what's happening ?????

Jelena is still on the scene isn't she?

[SamP]

Jelena is still on the scene isn't she?

I assume maybe be his Grandfathers death that is still affecting him.

[cazza99]

The Slice ‏@TheSliceTweets

More Murray to marvel at in this #Olympics mural by grafitti artist Paul Don Smith in Central London #London2012 http://twitpic.com/aimvkv
http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/635962207.jpg?key=610407&Expires=1344799832&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=rCT02jRynwWisbp8tNQrVULzy6bcwDaBk~Ny0kvG RO1Fv48JjfEWx3Ual51MXcRaScipCZdJ7OAMmPAXTq7kWSjcan 0vrM~Z3V7i1WthNO7UKcckf7JST0r05uUWTJLo-nAaz3mz-jNzUo8C3VjkVpiI7AaTYzL9iPwlXeG6DLY_
picture from twitter

[cazza99]

Tennis world (http://www.tennisworldusa.org/ATP-Rankings---Federer-and-Djokovic-battle-it-out-for-world-no-1-ranking-articolo5421.html) - ATP Rankings - Federer and Djokovic battle it out for world no. 1 ranking

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1294618-5-things-we-can-learn-from-andy-murrays-olympic-showing)- 5 Things We Can Learn from Andy Murray's Olympic Showing

Metro (http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/908378-twitter-at-london-2012-over-150m-tweets-sent-during-the-games) - Twitter at London 2012: Over 150m tweets sent during the Games

Andy Murray's gold in the men’s tennis singles, described by the Scot as 'the best week of his career', was the second most talked about moment, garnering 57,000+ TPM.

Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/andy-murray-tries-to-get-in-form-after-winning-gold-medal-which-is-back-home-on-a-cabinet/2012/08/12/fe84bdb4-e4e2-11e1-9739-eef99c5fb285_story.html) - Andy Murray tries to get in form after winning gold medal, which is back home on a cabinet

10sballs.com (http://www.10sballs.com/2012/08/12/who-wants-to-lick-the-back-of-andy-murrays-head/)- Who wants to lick the back of Andy Murray’s head?

si.com (http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d8chv?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=tennis) - Andy Murray tries to get geared up after gold

[cazza99]

BBCKheredine ‏@BBCKheredine

Other top stars featured in the @BBCSportNation Olympic Special : @chrishoy @imogenbankier @Euan_Burton @andy_murray BBC2 tomorrow, 7pm

I think this is just BBC Scotland. Channel 970 for Sky.

[-J-]

BBCKheredine ‏@BBCKheredine


I think this is just BBC Scotland. Channel 970 for Sky.what you mean JUST ?:pirate:

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/60-seconds-with-ross-hutchins/)- 60 seconds with Ross Hutchins

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/tweets-of-the-week-the-best-of-tennis-on-twitter/) - Tweets of the week - the best of tennis on Twitter

Guardian (http://aggbot.com/Sport-News/102/article/17563152) - Top 10 Olympics TV events: opening and closing ceremonies dominate

Just outside the top 10 were Rebecca Adlington's bronze in the 800 metres freestyle final, watched by a peak of 11.3 million viewers on 3 August, and Andy Murray's gold in the tennis, with a high of 10.7 million viewers on 5 August.

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/serena-and-murray-take-gold-at-the-facebook-olympics/) - Serena and Murray take gold at the Facebook Olympics

On Facebook, Murray took silver for the most talked-about event of the Games, for beating Roger Federer in the final. There was no disgrace in finishing behind Usain Bolt’s victory in the 100 metres. On the list of the most talked-about Olympians, Murray was seventh and Serena was tenth. Only two female athletes finished above Serena in those rankings – the American gymnast Gabby Douglas and British athlete Jessica Ennis. On Twitter, Murray was one of ten athletes who were the subject of more than one million tweets each. And, in the category of the most tweeted-about moment, he took an impressive bronze behind Bolt’s two individual victories.

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/whos-hot-and-whos-not-in-tennis-2/)- Who's hot and who's not in tennis

[cazza99]

Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=q2bmg-2iiJQ) - Andy's pre Cincy press interview

[cazza99]

what you mean JUST ?:pirate:

It means that it is not on BBC2 in other regions of the country. Its certainly not on in Yorkshire.

[cazza99]

Sky Sports (http://aggbot.com/Sport-News/70/article/17565785)- Turning major corner
Murray looks to retain while Nadal fails to make return in Cincinnati

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/top-10/top-10-tennis-players-tattoos/) - Top 10 tennis players' tattoos

Reuters (http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/08/14/tennis-djokovic-murray-idUKL4E8JE68120120814)- Tennis-Murray has earned 'Big Four' status, says Djokovic

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1296758-murray-is-ready-for-grand-slam-glory-at-the-us-open)- Andy Murray Ready for Grand Slam Glory at US Open

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/8264740/tennis-roger-federer-novak-djokovic-rafael-nadal-andy-murray-come-back-gusto)- Can big four come back with gusto?

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/165063.html) - Now watch Murray go

[cazza99]

The Slice ‏@TheSliceTweets

Andy's back!!!!! And I mean Ireland. #reunited http://twitpic.com/ajgntq

[pabbers]

Hmmm not liking the pic of the "other Andy" in that photo.

[cazza99]

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/espn/sport/story/165275.html) - Djokovic: Murray deserves 'big-four' tag

[cazza99]

judy murray ‏@judmoo

"@BBCWomansHour: One of the UK's most renowned mothers @judmoo is here tmrw to discuss how to raise not 1 but 2 champions" ooh must tune in!

Womans Hour is on Radio4 at 10.00 am on Thursday.

[Hawkeye]

BBCKheredine ‏@BBCKheredine


I think this is just BBC Scotland. Channel 970 for Sky.http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01m2dt6/Sport_Nation_14_08_2012/

[Sallydaisy]

Andy press conference from today

(https://twitter.com/AndyMurrayFans) “@CincyTennis (https://twitter.com/CincyTennis): Andy Murray news conference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3dDHwfUKrE (http://t.co/zahxbDnF)”

[-J-]

Judy on bbc1 news at 8:10 AM this morning

[LC the fan]

The Slice ‏@TheSliceTweets

Good to know Andy Ireland is back on duty. I trust him to look after our Andy

[Alis]

Judy on bbc1 news at 8:10 AM this morning

I thought Judy came across really well - even when they threw her a low ball about football which I'm sure she wouldn't have been expecting.

[LC the fan]

Agreed - that was unfair and - really - nothing to do with Judy but she handled it so well

[ljs]

http://assets.usta.com/assets/663/15/A._Murray_-_08.16.12.pdf bit of Andys post match presser

[cazza99]

US Open (http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2012-08-16/201208161345149117966.html)- Fellow players lament withdrawal of Nadal from US Open

STV (http://entertainment.stv.tv/tv/151110-kim-sears-and-andy-murray-soon-to-have-something-else-to-celebrate/)- Kim Sears and Andy Murray soon to have something else to celebrate?

Associated Press (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jFe_eQqFQlUQHQJ3X5dNKUN70uwQ?docId=4562c7e35 c334501a05e65d4dcd1a75b) - Murray upset in 2 sets by Chardy in Cincinnati

[cazza99]

Andy in A League of their Own is being repeated on Sky 1 on Sunday at 11 pm. They are calling it Andy Murray: League of Their Own.

[Alis]

http://assets.usta.com/assets/663/15/A._Murray_-_08.16.12.pdf bit of Andys post match presser

Interesting comments - certainly sounds as though Andy's not that bothered.

[pabbers]

Oh fer goodness sakes stv - leave Andy and Kim alone. A lot you know.......in one article you refer to Kim as an actress!!! Sheesh........what a load of tosh (IMHO of course ;)).

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19291375) - Andy Murray's mother Judy says Olympics lifted 'burden'

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19291644) - Andy Murray is knocked out of Cincinnati Open by Jeremy Chardy

[supergran]

Leave them alone. Whatever they decide is up to them.

[Sallydaisy]

STV (http://entertainment.stv.tv/tv/151110-kim-sears-and-andy-murray-soon-to-have-something-else-to-celebrate/)- Kim Sears and Andy Murray soon to have something else to celebrate?

Leave them alone. Whatever they decide is up to them.
Old news from STV.
:rolleyes:
Andy got asked about in a presser back around Wimbledon and gave a 'stock' answer.

[Jan]

Judy on bbc1 news at 8:10 AM this morning

does anyone know if this is available to watch anywhere? I can't get it on iplayer.

[Sallydaisy]

does anyone know if this is available to watch anywhere? I can't get it on iplayer.
That's odd, I've just read this on twitter 20mins ago; the person concerned lives in Italy ...

Awww. Listening to @judmoo (https://twitter.com/judmoo)'s interview on iPlayer from yesterday (I think, it was yesterday XD). Lovely interview, and lovely woman :)

[pabbers]

Didn't someone say she was on Woman's Hour on the radio too? Could it be that?

[Jan]

Didn't someone say she was on Woman's Hour on the radio too? Could it be that?

that could be it - I've listened to that one!

[cazza99]

Herald (http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/judy-murray-says-andys-olympic-gold-will-boost-his-grand-slam-chances.18607605) - Judy Murray says Andy's Olympic gold will boost his Grand Slam chances

[Jane]

Saw this in the Express today, but it doesn't seem to me to be an official announcement.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/340764/Andy-and-Kim-heading-for-a-love-match

[xenon21]

Same quotes in scotsman. Doesn't seem like a proper statement. Hopin that eventually it does happen as Andy and Kim ate such a lovely couple and would be over the moon for them!

[cazza99]

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/news/entertainment/andy-murray-to-marry-girlfriend-kim-sears-reports-1-2478167)- Andy Murray to marry girlfriend Kim Sears - reports

[Sallydaisy]

Old news from STV.
:rolleyes:
Andy got asked about in a presser back around Wimbledon and gave a 'stock' answer.

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/news/entertainment/andy-murray-to-marry-girlfriend-kim-sears-reports-1-2478167)- Andy Murray to marry girlfriend Kim Sears - reports
The press still trying to twist Andy's very bland words into something they think is news.
Wish they'd leave Andy and Kim alone; can't be nice for her to read stuff like this if it's untrue.
I'll believe it when MaggieMay_hem tweets a piccy of 'her' bridesmaid kit.
;)

[cazza99]

The press still trying to twist Andy's very bland words into something they think is news.
Wish they'd leave Andy and Kim alone; can't be nice for her to read stuff like this if it's untrue.
I'll believe it when MaggieMay_hem tweets a piccy of 'her' bridesmaid kit.
;)

I wish they would leave them alone too. There seems to be slightly more than was in the news a while ago, but it is still very vague and is not an announcement by Andy.

[traveller7]

I wont believe it til I see the photos of the wedding lol blooming papers!

[cazza99]

Sports Australia (http://www.sportsaustralia.com/articles/news.php?id=11600) - Andy Murray set for Brisbane return

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1305317-us-open-tennis-2012-andy-murray-must-regain-gold-medal-momentum-to-take-title)- US Open Tennis 2012: Andy Murray Must Regain Gold Medal Momentum to Take Title

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/sports/tennis/powerrankings/_/season/2012/month/august)- Tennis Power Rankings

Sport Review (http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2012/08/tim-henman-interview-andy-murray/) - Tim Henman on Andy Murray, the US Open and inspiring 20,000 more

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1305166-andy-murray-will-the-us-open-be-his-next-eureka-moment) - Andy Murray: Will the US Open Be His Next Eureka Moment?

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/on-court/who-will-qualify-for-the-season-ending-finals/) - Who will qualify for the Barclays ATP Finals?

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/bollettieri-im-interested-to-hear-what-my-8-wives-say/) - Nick Bollettieri: What will my 8 wives say about me?

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/warning-andy-murray-is-the-new-anna-kournikova/) - Warning: Andy Murray is the new Anna Kournikova

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/tennis-tweets-of-the-week-2/) - Tennis tweets of the week

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/oddballs-and-oddities-25/)- Oddballs and Oddities

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/whos-hot-and-whos-not-in-tennis-3/) - Who's hot and who's not in tennis

[cazza99]

Wimbledon (http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/blogs/2012-08-21/201208171345201843900.html) - The Wimbledon Groundsman blog

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/top-10/top-10-moments-at-the-us-open/) - Top 10 moments at the US Open:

[cazza99]

Paula Vergara's tennis news (http://paula-vergara.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/de-coding-brad-gilberts-vocabulary.html) - De-Coding Brad Gilbert's Vocabulary

[cazza99]

Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/embed/_xmanDn5Cro) - Goran Ivanisevic on Andy Murray at US Open

[cazza99]

Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOV6S40y3p8&feature=share&list=UU-gepsqW_0XEvcOEe84GdTg) - US Open 2012: Mats Wilander's Prediction

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/166294.html) - Murray backed for US Open glory

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/21/andy-murray-mats-wilander-prediction)- Andy Murray can win US Open, says Mats Wilander

Evening Standard (http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/other-sports/john-mcenroe-pressure-still-on-andy-murray-despite-gold-8073090.html)- John McEnroe: Pressure still on Andy Murray despite gold

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-tipped-for-us-open-glory-1273380) - Greats back Andy Murray to bag a Grand Slam at US Open

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2192635/US-Open-2012-draw-Andy-Murray-faces-Alex-Bogomolov-round.html?ito=feeds-newsxml)- Murray will face Bogomolov in US Open first round... and is in Federer's side of the draw

si.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120822/rafael-nadal-us-open-mailbag/) - Nadal's impact on U.S. Open, Murray's HoF credentials, more


Has Murray done enough already to be in the Tennis Hall of Fame?
-- Joe Johnson, Easton, Pa.

• I laughed when I got Joe's question. First, at the thought that Murray -- excellent player as he is -- could even be considered for a Hall of Fame. No Slams. No top ranking. No doubles excellence. No Davis Cup.

Then I laughed a second time when I considered the precedent and realized that, yes, he probably IS worthy. An Olympic singles gold? Four runs to three different major finals? All-surface excellence, big-time wins and Masters Series titles? In the era of Federer/Nadal/Djokovic? Again, given the standards, I think you could make a credible case. (At least say this: If/when he DOES win a Major, he's in, no further discussion needed.)

The Hall of Fame has backed itself into a corner with its admission criteria and standards. You let in so many one-Slam winners (and in some cases NO-Slam winners), and you risk diluting the brand, so to speak. I think there has to be a creative solution here. Subdivide the Hall into two wings. The accomplished, the doubles specialists, the worthy; and the truly elite.

I love that, say, Jana Novotna and Gigi Fernandez and Michael Chang have some measure of immortality and are recognized for their contributions. But should they really be occupying wall space alongside Federer, Evert, Navratilova, et al? I think there's a way to enshrine worthy players (like Murray, if he quit today) and still make clear that there are great and there are the GREATS.

ESPN (http://www.espnstar.com/tennis/us-open/news/detail/item842031/Durie-backs-%22insatiable%22-Federer/) - Durie backs "insatiable" Federer

[Madeline]

US Open (http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2012-08-22/201208221345666704005.html?promo=home) - A new Murray goes for first US Open title

[cazza99]

bettor.com (http://blogs.bettor.com/John-McEnroe-doesnt-favourite-Andy-Murray-for-the-US-Open-title-Tennis-News-a182050) - John McEnroe doesn’t favourite Andy Murray for the US Open title – Tennis News

Yahoo (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/roger-federer-tops-list-worlds-highest-paid-tennis-135832585--ten.html) - Roger Federer Tops List Of The World's Highest-Paid Tennis Players
Andy is no 8 - http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45jdmh/8-andy-murray/#gallerycontent

Tennistalk (http://www.tennistalk.com/en/blog/Ricky_Dimon/20120824/U.S._Open_draw_analysis:_Federer,_Murray_on_collis ion_course) - U.S. Open draw analysis: Federer, Murray on collision course

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1309930-us-open-tennis-2012-bracket-breaking-down-the-draws-for-the-top-contenders) - US Open Tennis 2012 Bracket: Breaking Down the Draws for the Top Contenders

Tennis World (http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Tsonga-Andy-Murray-crazy--articolo5578.html) - Tsonga: ´Andy Murray crazy! ´

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/jonathanoverend/2012/08/can_britains_murray_win_us_ope.html)- US Open: Can Andy Murray win his first Grand Slam

Evening Standard (http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/other-sports/andy-murray-must-fight-to-fix-up-heavyweight-contest-fans-want-to-see-8078707.html) - Andy Murray must fight to fix up heavyweight contest fans want to see

Metro (http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/909585-andy-murray-handed-nightmare-draw-in-quest-for-us-open-success)- Andy Murray handed nightmare draw in quest for US Open success

tennistalk (http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20120824/Murray_mum_says_her_boy_primed_for_success) - Murray mum says her boy primed for success

Metro (http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/909551-andrew-castle-andy-murray-can-find-a-way-to-win-us-open) - Andrew Castle: Andy Murray can find a way to win US Open

10sballs.com (http://www.10sballs.com/2012/08/22/dont-worry-about-big-time-andy/)- Don’t worry about Big Time Andy

[RoastLamb]

Too bad about Johnny Mac coz he predicted Andy would win the gold. :sad:

[cazza99]

10sballs (http://www.10sballs.com/2012/08/24/atp-might-boycott-2013-australian-open-for-more-prize-money/) - ATP Might Boycott 2013 Australian Open For More Prize Money

si.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120824/us-open-mens-seed-report/) - U.S. Open men's seed report

[cazza99]

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/sports/tennis/picks) - Tennis Expert Picks - US Open

[RoastLamb]

Wow Andy's been picked by NO-ONE! I would so love for him to win and rub it in their faces.

[LC the fan]

The press still trying to twist Andy's very bland words into something they think is news.
Wish they'd leave Andy and Kim alone; can't be nice for her to read stuff like this if it's untrue.
I'll believe it when MaggieMay_hem tweets a piccy of 'her' bridesmaid kit.
;)

Having said that, we've had no denials and, I believe, last time it got quoted Andy firmly denied it. I just hope it's true. But if not, as you say, I wish they would let it lie

[Fina]

An interesting article from The Guardian which mentions how Lendl is 'shielding' Andy from all the media ballyhoo: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/24/andy-murray-us-open-ivan-lendl

There's also an article on Lendl in today's Times. He mentions that his sporting hero is Ben Hogan, the golfer, and he says: "In my briefcase I have laminated cards with quotes from Mr Hogan. There are two I like the most. First: 'Life is too short to be walking around explaining yourself to people'...And then.'The more people I meet, the more I love my dog'. "

You can see these quotes appealing to Andy. So glad he has Lendl in his corner supporting him. All the very best of luck at the US Open, Andy. I Shall be rooting for you.

[cazza99]

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/andymurray/9498265/Andy-Murrays-chances-of-finally-winning-a-slam-are-higher-than-ever-before-at-US-Open.html) - Andy Murray's chances of finally winning a slam are higher than ever before at US Open

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/166582.html) - Murray's big chance to break his grand slam duck

Times of Malta (http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120825/tennis/Djokovic-happy-to-avoid-Murray-in-draw.434293) - Djokovic happy to avoid Murray in draw

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1310438-us-open-tennis-2012-draw-likely-murray-vs-federer-semifinal-will-decide-winner) - US Open Tennis 2012 Draw: Likely Murray vs Federer Semifinal Will Decide Winner

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/the-us-open-andy-murrays-first-grand-slam-title-8079504.html)- The US Open: Andy Murray's first Grand Slam title?

Fox Sports (http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/referee-appears-in-los-angeles-to-face-murder-charge-082412)- Ref appears in court for murder charge

[cazza99]

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/off-court/5-things-about-the-umpire-charged-with-husbands-murder/) - Five things about the umpire charged with her husband's murder

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/us-open-mens-betting-preview/) - US Open: men's betting preview

[Aya]

Andy's US Open presser (video+transcript).

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2012-08-25/201208251345925907817.html

[cazza99]

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/9499956/US-Open-2012-why-Andy-Murray-will-win-grand-slam.html)- US Open 2012: why Andy Murray will win grand slam

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/aug/25/roger-federer-andy-murray-us-open?newsfeed=true) - Andy Murray can profit from fatigue factor to win first slam at US Open

Mirror (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/us-open-tennis-tim-henman-backs-1279852)- US Open: Henman's backing Murray to break his duck in the Big Apple

10sballs (http://www.10sballs.com/2012/08/25/no-walk-in-the-park-for-andy-murray/) - No walk in the park for Andy Murray

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/new-york/story/_/id/8298312/us-open-making-case-roger-federer-novak-djokovic-andy-murray) - Making a case for the top dogs

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1306991-us-open-tennis-odds-2012-breaking-down-chances-for-top-10-men-and-women) - US Open Tennis Odds 2012: Breaking Down Chances for Top 10 Men and Women

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1310913-us-open-2012-tennis-breaking-down-favorites-at-flushing-meadows)- US Open Tennis 2012: Breaking Down Favorites at Flushing Meadows

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1305309-andy-murray-why-the-brits-chances-in-new-york-are-being-overrated)- Andy Murray: Why the Brits' Chances in New York Are Being Overrated

Fox Sports (http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/confident-andy-murray-ready-for-us-open-082512) - Confident Murray ready for US Open

Newsday (http://www.newsday.com/sports/tennis/us-open/three-aces-figure-to-dominate-u-s-open-andy-murray-roger-federer-novak-djokovic-1.3927456)- Three aces figure to dominate U.S. Open: Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic

Sporting Life (http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis/news/article/553/8018639/murray-eyes-more-success)- Olympic Champion Murray Eyes More Success

[david1610]

Andy's US Open presser (video+transcript).

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2012-08-25/201208251345925907817.html
Ever more eloquent and sincere! Love the Kim answer - rather than just say something formulaic, he thinks and says it from the heart!

[LC the fan]

He is so much improved at these pressers but still not fully relaxed. All that rubbing the neck, arms, table top etc shows someone who is still on edge and avoiding the wrong words.
Having said that - a 100% improvement from a couple of years back and his intelligence is showing through

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19338618) - Andy Murray tipped to win US Open by Ivanisevic and Wilander

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19354738)- Andy Murray to meet Alex Bogomolov in US Open first round

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19377164)- US Open: Johanna Konta qualifies for main draw

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19384811)- Andy Murray seeks first major win at US Open after London glory

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotland/19385992) - US Open - Andy Murray not distracted by New York charms

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19383617)- US Open 2012: Andy Murray reveals confusing dreams

[Elizabeth]

Not sure if this is correct place but Sunday Mail launching Sports Awards 2012 today - to vote for Andy go to www.sundaymailsportsawards.co.uk

[cazza99]

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2193862/US-Open-2012-Andy-Murray-having-strange-dreams.html)- Murray's mind playing tricks on him in his sleep ahead of US Open Grand Slam assault

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/golden-glow-leaves-murray-in-rude-health-8081359.html) - Golden glow leaves Murray in rude health

Metro (http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/909767-andy-murray-i-can-take-olympic-gold-into-us-open-for-first-major-triumph) - Andy Murray: I can take Olympic gold into US Open for first major triumph

ATP (http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/08/34/US-Open-Preview-Murray-In-Confident-Mood.aspx) - Golden Boy Murray In Confident Mood

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/166899.html) - Murray: Confidence irrelevant without hard work

Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/tennis/4504679/Andy-Murray-has-look-of-a-champ-ready-to-win-US-Open-Lendl.html)- Lendl: Andy looks just champ

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/murray-im-wimbledon-champion-mind-021713414.html) - Murray: I'm a Wimbledon champion in my mind

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/sport/other-sports/interview-ivan-lendl-tennis-coach-on-andy-murray-1-2490274) - Interview: Ivan Lendl, tennis coach, on Andy Murray

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/9499199/US-Open-2012-Ivan-Lendl-insists-Andy-Murrays-Olympic-gold-medal-could-be-worth-a-couple-of-points-a-match.html) - US Open 2012: Ivan Lendl insists Andy Murray's Olympic gold medal could be worth a couple of points a match

[cazza99]

Tennistalk (http://www.tennistalk.com/en/previews/20120827/Murray_opens_US_Open_bid_against_Bogomolov)- Murray opens US Open bid against Bogomolov

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2193941/US-OPEN-2012-Andy-Murray-sets-sights-grand-slam.html)- Murray has golden shot as British star sets sights on first major after Olympic glory

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/9501203/US-Open-2012-Laura-Robsons-first-foe-at-Flushing-Meadow-will-be-greater-expectations.html) - US Open 2012: Laura Robson's first foe at Flushing Meadow will be greater expectations

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/9501230/US-Open-2012-Andy-Murray-dreams-of-converting-Olympic-gold-into-grand-slam-glory.html)- US Open 2012: Andy Murray dreams of converting Olympic gold into grand slam glory

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/26/andy-murray-us-open?newsfeed=true)- Andy Murray has a good night's sleep and can dream of winning US Open

[Madeline]

Andy Murray dreams of converting Olympic gold into grand slam glory
Andy Murray has a good night's sleep and can dream of winning US Open

I do hope not! The two dreams he told the press about this week were both wrong!

[supergran]

I do hope not! The two dreams he told the press about this week were both wrong! I'm ignoring the press and all pundits. I aim to remain calm for as long as I can.:nailbiter::fanning::big grin:

[Madeline]

I'm ignoring the press and all pundits. I aim to remain calm for as long as I can.:nailbiter::fanning::big grin:

Then you shouldn't be reading this thread, should you :laugh:

[supergran]

Then you shouldn't be reading this thread, should you :laugh::confused::lightbulb::rofl:

[cazza99]

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19392664) - US Open: Andy Murray beats Alex Bogomolov Jr in first round

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19394909) - US Open: Andy Murray says he 'needs to improve' to win tournament

Sky Sports - (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12611_8024491,00.html) Murray prepares for opening match - video

Sky Sports (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,20699_8025204,00.html) - Murray talks openly to Mark Petchey - video

Sky Sports (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12611_8026709,00.html) - McEnroe eyes Murray for US Open - video

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/9502443/US-Open-2012-Andy-Murray-defeats-Alex-Bogomolov-6-2-6-4-6-1-to-reach-second-round-at-Flushing-Meadows.html) - US Open 2012: Andy Murray defeats Alex Bogomolov 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 to reach second round at Flushing Meadows

Sky Sports (http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/news/26934/8027051/Murray-I-did-okay) - Murray - I did okay

Sky Sports (http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/8026988/Murray-comes-through-Bog) - Murray comes through Bog

Fox Sports (http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/andy-murray-says-players-still-unsure-on-potential-boycott-of-open/story-e6frf4mu-1226460037770) - Andy Murray hopeful players' pay dispute is solved so that 2013 Australian Open can go ahead

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/erratic-murray-downs-bogomolov-opener-us-open-210042826.html)- Erratic Murray wins opener, Robson through

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/167014.html)- Murray's grandad dancing

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/167101.html) - Murray wins ugly, but is it enough?

la times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-us-open-tennis-andy-murray-20120827,0,5932748.story)- U.S. Open tennis: Cranky Andy Murray manages opening-round win

Sports Mole (http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/tennis/us-open/result/result-dodig-sets-up-murray-meeting_42208.html) - Result: Ivan Dodig sets up Andy Murray meeting

Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/gold-medalist-andy-murray-has-no-problem-in-1st-round-win-at-us-open/2012/08/27/1972230e-f08d-11e1-b74c-84ed55e0300b_story.html) - Gold medalist Andy Murray has no problem in 1st-round win at US Open

ESPN (http://tennis.si.com/2012/08/27/player-of-the-year-honors-up-for-grabs-at-the-u-s-open/) - Player of the year honors up for grabs at the U.S. Open

LA Times (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1310087-andy-murray-why-his-olympic-gold-medal-will-lead-to-a-us-open-win)- Andy Murray: Why His Olympic Gold Medal Will Lead to a US Open Win

Sports Mole (http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/off-the-pitch/us-open/news/murray-no-truth-in-engagement-rumours_42178.html)- Andy Murray: "No truth" in engagement rumours

10sballs.com (http://www.10sballs.com/2012/08/27/brad-gilbert-expects-andy-murray-work-his-way-to-us-open-title/) - Brad Gilbert Expects Andy Murray Work His Way To US Open Title

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/27/andy-murray-alex-bogomolov-us-open) - Andy Murray beats Alex Bogomolov Jr in straight sets at US Open

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2194449/US-OPEN-2012-Andy-Murray-beats-Alex-Bogomolov-Jr.html) - Heat is on! Murray toils to Bogomolov victory on steamy day in New York

-----------------------------------

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19391099)- US Open: Laura Robson through as Heather Watson goes out

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19394475) - US Open: Kim Clijsters sets out plan to beat Laura Robson

[cazza99]

New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/27/sports/tennis/us-open-andy-murrays-chance-to-join-the-big-three.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all) - Crashing the Party
Andy Murray’s Chance to Join the Big Three at the U.S. Open

[cazza99]

US Open (http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2012-08-27/201208271346110264936.html) - Andy Murray press interview following beating Bogomolov
transcript plus video


An interview with: ANDY MURRAY
Monday, August 27, 2012


THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.


Q. One stage in that match you shouted 'focus' very loudly. Was it a match that was trying in terms of conditions, he was getting every bloody ball back?

ANDY MURRAY: Yes, I think also the beginning of the third set, it's an important stage of the match, you know, when he was up 4‑3 in the second with a break, then I won three games in a row and momentum was with me. You know, I mean, it was very, very hot and tough conditions today. You want to try to win the matches as quickly as possible. I had a few breakpoints early in the third set, I think in that game, and didn't get them. Yeah, it was tough because the conditions were very tricky.


Q. Were you nervous at the start? There were the two early service games.

ANDY MURRAY: I just didn't serve that well. Didn't serve well most of the match. That was why I actually felt okay. I mean, I lost serve, then I broke straight back I think both times. It was more the serving. I just didn't serve that well.


Q. First round do you worry too much about your performance or is it just a case of trying to get through?

ANDY MURRAY: I won in three sets. You know, I didn't serve very well. Only lost seven games in three sets, so I must have done something well today. Bogomolov, you know, I think he was seeded here last year. He made the third round. He plays his best tennis on the hard courts. He's a tough player. So, I mean, I played fairly well from the back of the court. I just would have liked to have served a bit better because, you know, I wasn't getting many free points on my serve. Because of that, there were a lot more rallies. When he's in a rhythm, he's tough to break down.


Q. I meant more in general in first‑round matches do you worry too much about your performance?

ANDY MURRAY: No. I mean, sometimes I play great at the start of tournaments and not done well; sometimes I've played badly and got better. I mean, in Australia this year I struggled in my first‑round match with my game a bit. Physically didn't feel great. Then went on to have a good tournament. You know, the first‑round matches are tricky. Like I say, the conditions were hard today for both of us. That's probably why it was quite an up‑and‑down match.


Q. What happened when you got to the dropshot late in the match?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, just a little bit of a cramp. It was very, very humid on the court today. Maybe I didn't take enough fluid. You know, it happens. I haven't played that many matches in that sort of humidity for a while. It's probably a bit of a shock to the body. I need to make sure I'm on that for the next match.


Q. Did it catch you by surprise a little bit how tough the conditions were out there?

ANDY MURRAY: A little. It's been hot when I've been practicing the last few days. The breeze is a lot stronger than it has been. From one of the ends you had to do a lot of defending, a fair amount of running. That was probably the hardest thing rather than the heat.


Q. The court is so big, is that the windiest you've played in?

ANDY MURRAY: No, actually it's not. I mean, I think like during the Olympics, it was very, very windy on the Centre Court for quite a few of the matches. The semifinal day was especially windy. I mean, a lot of the big courts can get very windy. It wasn't swirling. It was fine. It was kind of consistent one way. It's just quite challenging, because like I say, when you're playing down at the far end you're trying to hit the ball flatter to get it through the wind. And then when you have the wind with you, you're trying to play with more spin and therefore you're changing your strokes a little bit. It can be tough to stay in a rhythm.


Q. There was a lot of talk before the Olympics of an Olympic legacy. Anytime people mention 'gold' people cheer. Is this something you're conscious of now, you're somebody who achieved something special?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, I mean, I know personally that winning a gold medal at a home Olympics is very rare. There's very few people that get the chance to do that. Yeah, I mean, it was a huge match for me. The support I've had since the match and since the Wimbledon final has been excellent, and it helps when you're playing matches.


Q. Just after you won, you went out and leapt up with a tremendous fist pump. What was going through your mind at the moment? What was that feeling?

ANDY MURRAY: I think when I first won the match, you know, you're a little bit shocked. I didn't know quite what to do. After a few minutes I'd been up and said whatever to the people in the box, kind of embraced them, my team and my family. And then, yeah, then when I got back down on the court I was really happy. I was obviously very pumped up. Yeah, it was just a release of emotion. You know, after having had the loss at Wimbledon a few weeks beforehand, which was very tough, tough mentally to take, that one was a lot easier.


Q. When you win the gold medal at the Olympics, is there any moment in all of your development, is there any moment that you say to yourself that it was worth all the hassle?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah. I knew after that match that everything you've kind of gone through as a player was worth it because it was the biggest win of my career by far. You know, I mean, I've had many tough losses. Obviously I've played tennis since I was ‑‑ properly since I moved over to Spain when I was 15, so about 10 years I've been playing. I've had a lot of doubts after losing. Even after the Wimbledon final a few weeks previously, you have a lot of doubts about yourself. But after winning a match like that you kind of forget about all of those things. Yeah, it's definitely, definitely worth all the hard work.


Q. Do you think the public perception changed, maybe your perception of yourself, after the Wimbledon loss?

ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I don't know about the public perception. That's not, I don't think, for me to say. I know after the final, the support I got from all the people around me, just people I was bumping into in the street, you know, whatever, was incredibly positive and something I hadn't experienced to that degree really ever before. And that helped me get over that Wimbledon loss much quicker, you know, because there was a lot of positivity. It helps. I mean, I don't really know what else to say. When everyone around you is positive and people are upbeat and positive, it makes a difference to the way you play, the way you feel about yourself. It makes it easier to perform.


Q. There's been a lot of talk about the possible Australian Open boycott over the past couple of days. Is that something the players feel might be necessary?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, I think it came from the player meeting we had on Friday. The player meeting wasn't ‑ I don't know the word ‑ but when we went through the player meeting at the Aussie Open, it was pretty brutal. You know, everyone was speaking up. The whole tour was kind of together; they still are. There have been some changes made with regard to the Grand Slam prize money. But, yeah, I mean, the majority of the players want to see a change in the Grand Slams. You know, who knows what's going to happen. I mean, I hope it doesn't come down to that. I think that's bad for everybody, really.


Q. How likely would you say it is at the moment?

ANDY MURRAY: Have no idea. There's so many things that go into something like that, you know, with lawyers, forming unions, you know, all sorts of different scenarios that need to be kind of thought through first. I think right now it's a long way away, but I don't know how serious everybody is about it. If in the next month or two months they get everything sorted and ready to go, then, you know, I'll have a better answer at that time.


Q. Can you just describe what's transpired since winning the Olympics and where you are mentally and physically heading into this tournament.

ANDY MURRAY: Well, I mean, I basically came straight over. I played in Toronto a couple of days after the final, which ideally I wouldn't have done. And then, you know, I took a few days off after that. My knee was a bit sore. You know, I mean, I've had a good time. The last few weeks have been fun. I've enjoyed it. You know, mentally I feel like I'm in a good place; physically I think all the players are going to be tired after a long season. But this is the last major competition of the year, and you've just got to push through it and that's it.

FastScripts by ASAP Sports

[harriet]

thanks for the transcript, the journos don't have mics so while one can hear the answers one is left surmising the question.
mind you, some of andy's answers leave one scratching one's head for the answer

[cazza99]

New York Times (http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/28/u-s-open-andy-murray-on-his-passion-for-boxing/) - U.S. Open: Andy Murray on His Passion For Boxing

Press Association (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gShvHCkv-ukBn47FI2YDDaITVkpw?docId=N0221441346132493259A) - Murray relaxed after 'up and down' win

Sports Mole (http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/tennis/us-open/news/castle-impressed-with-murrays-form_42262.html) - Andrew Castle expects Andy Murray to make US Open impact

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2194623/US-OPEN-2012-Novak-Djokovic-favourite-win--Roger-Federer.html) - Sorry Andy... Djokovic is still favourite to retain US Open crown, insists Federer

New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/tennis/gold_but_rusty_m1shNcZ2fziyzJmDYkCFtI) - Olympic champ Murray shaky in Opening win

A new buzz surrounds Murray since the gold and his memorable Wimbledon final loss to Federer in July after which he made an emotional speech. No Brit has won a grand slam event since 1936. During his post-match on-court interview, a huge cheer rose up at Ashe when his Olympic gold was mentioned.

[harriet]

this from the guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/27/andy-murray-alex-bogomolov-us-open)
sample quote -"There was more charity in this match than you'd find in a soup kitchen and, had the Russian played even vaguely in keeping with his piratical appearance, he might have stolen the second set. But he was as unreliable as he was entertaining, whining to the referee, complaining of an upset stomach near the end and mixing brilliant winners with rank miss-hits."

[karanga]

Roger Federer spoke with Darren Cahill after his straight-sets win over Donald Young at the U.S. Open on Monday night. In a positively-Federerian interview that included backhanded compliments and subtle digs, the world No. 1 discussed his Olympic disappointment to Andy Murray.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/08/roger-federers-backhanded-complimenting-is-in-peak-form/1


"It was really nice to see his reaction after a crushing Wimbledon loss to come back and win the Olympic gold."

[Alis]

What an insufferable man he is! My daughter, who is married to an Austrian and lived in Austria for many years, tries valiantly to convince me that Fed's comments are lost in the translation and actually, in German, he doesn't sound nearly as arrogant as he does in English. IMO his English is excellent so I remain to be convinced!

[cazza99]

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/28/us-open-2012-andy-murray-ivan-dodig?newsfeed=true) - US Open 2012: Andy Murray takes on hungry Ivan Dodig in second round

Evening Standard (http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/other-sports/us-open-andy-murray-backs-himself-in-the-battle-of-mind-over-matter-8084251.html)- US Open: Andy Murray backs himself in the battle of mind over matter

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19405552) - US Open: Johanna Konta through but Anne Keothavong out

Sky Sports (http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/news/12111/8028210/According-to-Andrew)- According to Andrew

Sky Sports (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12611_8028197,00.html) - Dodig ready for Murray - video
I couldn't get link to work

US Open site (http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2012-08-27/201208271346108036266.html) - Dodig post 1st round presser
transcript and video

[Fina]

Found the Guardian article where Andy recounts an example of increased interest in him by the NY media quite amusing!! :) :thanks:

Will be good to see Andy in a night match. I have everything crossed - the very best of luck.

[ChrisMac]

cazza, the link worked fine for me, thanks!

[cazza99]

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/murray-still-coasting-on-golden-high-8084672.html) - Murray still coasting on golden high

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/9504986/US-Open-2012-Ivan-Dodig-hopes-to-serve-up-a-major-surprise-against-Andy-Murray.html)- US Open 2012: Ivan Dodig hopes to serve up a major surprise against Andy Murray

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/9503870/The-reality-of-life-on-the-road-for-the-also-rans-of-professional-tennis.html)- The reality of life on the road for the also-rans of professional tennis

[cazza99]

Press Association (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gHz1U3h7MmbOrelR7JxJc26tt7lQ?docId=N02605513 46258138889A)- Murray credits Lendl for improvement

New York Times (http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/29/have-a-question-for-andy-murray/) - Straight Sets - Have a Question for Andy Murray?

Throughout the United States Open, The Times’ Greg Bishop will be interviewing third-seeded Andy Murray for Straight Sets. In earlier interviews, he talked about winning the gold medal at the London Olympics and his love of boxing. In a future interview, Murray will answer questions from readers. Use the comment field below for your questions. Answers will appear on Straight Sets this weekend.

Chicago Tribune (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-28/sports/sns-rt-us-tennis-open-wednesdaybre87s040-20120828_1_champion-juan-martin-del-laura-robson-wimbledon)- Crowd favorite Murray looks to move into third round

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-says-us-focus-is-on-prince-1284788) - Andy Murray: Prince Harry's naked antics are the talk of the town.. not tennis

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19405033)- Andy Murray expects US Open form to improve

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2194850/US-Open-2012-Andy-Murray-getting-used-post-Olympic-fame.html) - After Olympic glory it is now it's fame, set and match, Murray

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1314974-2012-us-open-what-to-expect-of-andy-murray) - 2012 US Open: What to Expect of Andy Murray

[ljs]

did anyone see this ? :lol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FGBbhhDZY0

[cazza99]

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/aug/30/us-open-2012-diary-british?newsfeed=true)- US Open tennis 2012 diary: British talent, made in Australia

Sky Sports (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12611_8033527,00.html) - Murray into round three
video interview after the match

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2195587/US-Open-2012-Andy-Murray-beasts-Ivan-Dodig-reach-round.html)- Murray cruises into US Open third round following straight sets victory over Dodig

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/30/us-open-andy-murray-tennis?newsfeed=true) - US Open: Andy Murray delivers near-flawless tennis to beat Ivan Dodig

US Open (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19405033) - Andy Murray races into US Open third round with Ivan Dodig victory

Sky Sports (http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/us-open-2012/story/26934/8033201)- Murray: That's better

Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/4511206/Yank-tennis-chiefs-swipe-at-Bears-in-Murray-biog.html) - Yank tennis chiefs’ swipe at Bears in Murray biog

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-opts-for-the-quiet-life-in-quest-to-end-grand-slam-jinx-8082123.html) - Andy Murray opts for the quiet life in quest to end Grand Slam jinx

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-rushes-into-third-round-of-us-open-with-straight-sets-victory-over-ivan-dodig-8095426.html)- Andy Murray rushes into third round of US Open with straight sets victory over Ivan Dodig

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/tennis/andy-murray-moves-into-next-round-of-us-open-after-victory-over-ivan-dodig-1-2496305) - Andy Murray moves into next round of US Open after victory over Ivan Dodig

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/professional-start-ferrer-new-york-192355339.html)- Aggressive Murray eases past Dodig

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/9507813/US-Open-2012-Andy-Murray-on-the-march-as-he-breezes-into-third-round-with-victory-over-Ivan-Dodig.html) - US Open 2012: Andy Murray on the march as he breezes into third round with victory over Ivan Dodig

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/30/us-open-andy-murray-ivan-dodig1?newsfeed=true) - US Open 2012: Andy Murray beats Ivan Dodig in three sets

ESPN Star (http://www.espnstar.com/tennis/us-open/news/detail/item847110/Ruthless-Murray-brushes-past-Dodig/) - Ruthless Murray brushes past Dodig

Telegraph (http://aggbot.com/Sport-News/516/article/17687235)- US Open 2012: Laura Robson tipped to go all way to top by Andy Murray after ending Kim Clijsters's career


More articles on Laura are on Laura's thread - post 352. http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/forums/showthread.php?148-Laura-Robson./page36

[Fina]

:thanks: for the links.

Think Martin Pengelly (the third Guardian article) must have dozed off last night, judging from his ridiculous summing-up :
" Murray wasn't convincing tonight, but he didn't have to be. You might say that's more worrying than his first-round win over Alex Bogomolov Jr, in which he really didn't play well but nonetheless survived, which is an admirable and useful trait. You might say that he should have been more commanding against someone so inconsistent as Dodig."

He slightly redeems himself by adding: "But, on balance, I think that was OK - Murray seems to be slowly tuning up and that's a luxury anyone will take at a grand slam."

Where do they get these people from? :facepalm:

[cazza99]

US Upen (http://www.usopen.org/en_US/interactive/video/index.html?promo=subnav&category=press) - Andy's presser video

The transcript is not up yet.

[cazza99]

US Open (http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2012-08-29/201208301346344013754.html) - Andy's press interview transcript + video


An interview with: ANDY MURRAY
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
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THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.



Q. Happy with that performance?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it was better than the first round, that's for sure. It was pretty comfortable conditions out there today. Not really any wind. It was fairly cool, as well. So, yeah, that helped. But I moved better than I did in the first match and served better than I did, so I was able to dictate more of the points because of that. Was much happier with the way I played today.



Q. How did you unravel the challenge of him coming to the net so often early on? What was your strategy?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I knew he liked to come forward a lot. I've watched him play. Watched a few clips of him playing the last couple days. Knew he liked to come forward a lot. When he's up there, he likes to hit drop volleys as well. I tried, when I saw him coming into the net, to move forward in the court and managed to chase down a few of the drop volleys. You know, when you're expecting something, it makes it much easier to play against. When he first came on the tour, not many guys will have seen him. When someone serve‑volleys and comes into the net a lot, it's tough nowadays. You don't see it that often. But obviously over the last few months guys have started to understand his game a little bit better, and that's why his results this year probably haven't been as good as they were last year.



Q. What makes you play so well under the lights?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I don't know. I mean, I always wanted to play the night matches at the US Open. I've always enjoyed them. Had some good wins against tough players. The conditions are nice. It's a good atmosphere to play in. There's a good energy on the court. Yeah, that's why I've played well.



Q. Do you ever get distracted by the noise and movement in the crowd?

ANDY MURRAY: Sometimes. I mean, especially the first time you play out there, for a while it can be hard to focus sometimes. There's a lot of noise. There's a lot of stuff going on. Also when you get in a winning position, sometimes you're wanting to keep that going and you don't want to let your opponent back into it. Sometimes you can lose focus rather than just concentrating on the next point. You're wanting to finish the match quickly because it's obviously going to be a late finish. By the time we get back into the hotel and in bed, it's going to be 1:30, 2:00 probably. That was after a straight‑sets match. You want to, if you can, get the match done as quickly as possible.



Q. Did you have a chance to see any of Laura's match?

ANDY MURRAY: I saw none of the first set and then most of the second set. I saw the end of the first set tiebreak. I saw from 4‑All in the first set tiebreak.



Q. Thinking back to the Olympics, any tips or anything you gave her come to fruition there? Did you see a new maturity?

ANDY MURRAY: When we were playing I didn't say too much. I mean, we just tried to play and not overthink it so much. You know, the one thing when I first played with her at the Hopman Cup, you know, she has a potential to move actually fairly well. She moved very well on the court today. But you need to want to chase balls down and believe that you can get to balls, and I think at the Olympics, you know, after the first match or so, she was getting to a lot of balls. She was moving, you know, much better than she had in the past. Today I thought, from what I saw, she moved very, very well. She hits the ball great when she's in good position. I think if she keeps improving on her movement, she's going to be a very, very good player. She's very good already, but she'll get to the top much quicker.



Q. Can you think back to the sort of equivalent in your career when you took out a really named player in a Grand Slam?

ANDY MURRAY: I don't know. I mean, I played Roddick at Wimbledon. That would have probably been my first big win at a major. You know, he'd obviously played very well at Wimbledon in the past. I'd say that was probably my first big win. It does give you confidence. She's had some close matches against top players before in the slams. She's played Sharapova I think a couple times at Wimbledon ‑‑ maybe also at the Olympics as well. You know, she's good. She's very competitive when she plays against them. It's going to take a bit of time to get the consistency and whatnot, but she's a very good player. You saw that when she was playing against some of the guys at the Olympics she was returning the serve with ease sometimes. She's got very easy power and great timing. It's just going to take a little while for everything to click together. But if you look at how many teenagers there are in the top 100 compared with what there used to be, she's right up there with the best in the world for her age. She keeps improving, she's going to get very high.



Q. Are you expecting to play on Saturday now?

ANDY MURRAY: Saturday.



Q. Is that break a problem at all?

ANDY MURRAY: I don't think so. I mean, sometimes at Wimbledon it happens where you play Friday, Monday. Here it's not happened to me that often where I've had the two‑day break. I mean, a lot of the guys in the draw have had it in the first round from Monday to Thursday, then some from Tuesday to Friday. I have to view it as an advantage after what I've been through at some of the US Opens before, like last year and when I made the final as well. I had a lot of matches to play in a short space of time. I'd rather be in this position.



Q. Did you find yourself singing along to the music like Laura did?

ANDY MURRAY: No, I try not to. Like I said, it can be hard sometimes not to think about other things when you're out there. But I've played on that court many times now; I kind of know what to expect.



Q. Can you talk a bit about your next potential opponent. Obviously López you know very well, and maybe Andujar.

ANDY MURRAY: I know Andujar a lot, probably better than López. I practiced with him a lot. I grew up playing with him. He's one year older than me. Danny also knows him very well. They played a lot. They both played a lot of the same tournaments in the futures in Spain around the same time. I regularly practice with him. He's a very hard‑worker, very solid. He's having probably his best year on the tour. He's improved his game on hard courts. I think he beat Tipsarevic in Cincinnati or was on his way to beating him. I think maybe Janko pulled out. He's playing well. López I've played a lot. I do know his game well, too. He's got a big serve on him and he likes to come to the net, as well. Very different styles, the two of them.



Q. López is one of the players you have the best record against.

ANDY MURRAY: I've always played well against him. I've played him maybe here last year in a night match, as well. I have had good success against him in the past. But because of his style, he can make it very tricky if he plays well.



Q. Do you know yet if it will be day or night?

ANDY MURRAY: I would have thought I would be playing Saturday day.



Q. Will that be a struggle in terms of the heat?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, I hope not. I think there's a few things I'll do differently going into the match. I think this is a slightly different match. Possibly against López it would be a different match. Points are a lot shorter. Also if I serve like I did tonight, I'll be able to dictate a lot more of the points. Won't have to do as much running. Hopefully the next couple days I'll get some good practice in at those times as well and get more adjusted to the conditions.



FastScripts by ASAP Sports

[Madeline]

Thanks for that. I watched the video earlier and couldn't hear a word of the questions.

[Alis]

:thanks: for the links.

Think Martin Pengelly (the third Guardian article) must have dozed off last night, judging from his ridiculous summing-up :
" Murray wasn't convincing tonight, but he didn't have to be. You might say that's more worrying than his first-round win over Alex Bogomolov Jr, in which he really didn't play well but nonetheless survived, which is an admirable and useful trait. You might say that he should have been more commanding against someone so inconsistent as Dodig."

He slightly redeems himself by adding: "But, on balance, I think that was OK - Murray seems to be slowly tuning up and that's a luxury anyone will take at a grand slam."

Where do they get these people from? :facepalm:

Crazy - was this guy watching the same match as the rest of us? If he was, he knows nothing about tennis!

[rainy days]

I read that too. Thought it was very weird, considering Andy only lost 6 games and didn't get broken once... Whatever.

[LC the fan]

Simple Answer - The man is a fool - or a Fed fan :)

[cazza99]

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/andymurray/9508656/US-Open-2012-Andy-Murray-happy-with-improvement-as-he-brushes-aside-Ivan-Dodig-to-reach-third-round.html) - US Open 2012: Andy Murray happy with improvement as he brushes aside Ivan Dodig to reach third round

BBC - (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotland/19428766) Andy Murray impressed with Laura Robson form in US Open
video

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/30082012/58/highlights-aggressive-murray-eases-past-dodig.html)- Video: Highlights: Aggressive Murray eases past Dodig

[cazza99]

Sporting Life (http://www.sportinglife.com/tennis/news/article/553/8037872/murray-hoping-to-benefit-from-schedule) - Extra rest suits Murray

Scottish Sun (http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/4513012/Murray-cutting-the-Cord.html) - Murray cutting the Cord

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/tennis/us-open-victory-is-big-apple-of-andy-murray-s-eye-1-2498937) - US Open: Victory is big apple of Andy Murray’s eye

Sky Sports (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12611_8038561,00.html)- Lendl believes in Murray - video

[lynne]

Enjoyable interview with Lendl........thanks Cazza!!!:thumbup:

[ljs]

yes lynne , he seems like a nice man !!! and imo has been a godsend for Andy

[Madeline]

Nice Lendl interview.

[cazza99]

Apparently Andy and his team were watching Laura in one of the Sky rooms. So I guess marcus must have grabbed his chance to interview Lendl.

[Jan]

agreed - very good interview with Ivan - and nice that we could see Andy practising in the background!

[supergran]

I watched the interview and thought Ivan came across as a very humorous and intelligent man who was very frank about how he came to work with Andy. Very enjoyable.

[cazza99]

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/us-open-feliciano-lopez-looks-ahead-1293951) - Love flirty: Lopez winds up Judy Murray ahead of clash with Andy

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/andy-murray-has-measure-of-his-mothers-favourite-deliciano-8099954.html) - Andy Murray has measure of his mother's favourite 'Deliciano

Observer (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/31/andy-murray-feliciano-lopez-us-open)- Andy Murray has the edge on Feliciano López ahead of US Open encounter

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19439743)- US Open: Andy Murray expects 'tricky' Feliciano Lopez test

[Fina]

Hi
Here's the transcript of Andy's post-match interview - http://www.tennispanorama.com/archives/30583

I'm so relieved he got through. He lives to fight another day. All the love and luck in the world, Andy!

[cazza99]

US Open site - video + transcript of Andy's presser

Here is the text of the transcript


An interview with: ANDY MURRAY
Saturday, September 1, 2012

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.



Q. That was pretty tough and hot and a difficult match, wasn't it?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, it was tough. Yeah, obviously very, very hot, very humid. It's a quick court, that one, as well. You know, obviously Feliciano has one of the best serves in the game. So there's some games, you know, that were frustrating at times because you have no say in how the points go. Obviously, I mean, the last few sets were tough. I mean, I just played a little bit better at the end of the tiebreaks, a little bit more solid than him, and that was the difference. But, you know, had chances. So mentally it was quite a challenging match because I was up a break I think in the last three ‑‑ two of the last three sets.



Q. How deep did you have to dig to come through?

ANDY MURRAY: It was tough. It was physically challenging. I actually felt better towards the end of the match than I did maybe halfway through it. I think it was probably down to a combination of things, you know, having not played that much in these conditions. It's just taking a while to get used to it. Normally we get that three‑week training block in Miami before we come over to the States. Because of the Olympics, obviously missed that. So it's been tough.



Q. How does that compare with Australia when it really heats up? Is it tougher?

ANDY MURRAY: I mean, it's different. I mean, both can be brutal. It's maybe a bit more draining, you know, when the conditions are like that with the humidity.



Q. Here?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah. But because in Australia it obviously gets hotter when the court's hot, your legs really, really feel it. You know, your legs are burning because of the heat there. Also, because it's so dry, as well, you also feel like you're sucking in warm air, too, which is a bit uncomfortable at times. But they're both challenging. Both take time to get used to.



Q. On reflection, how big was the breakpoint, the rally that was one of the most extraordinary of the tournament?

ANDY MURRAY: I think it was obviously very important. I was starting to play better as the match went on. I mean, I don't know exactly if there was a net cord in the point, but there was obviously a lot going on. He came to the net, there was a dropshot, I made a good volley cross‑court. Points like that can change the match. The momentum was kind of with me a little bit after that; whereas before that it was with him. Both of us had our chances.



Q. You've dealt with him relatively easily in all your six matches before. What did he do today that made it more difficult?

ANDY MURRAY: I think he served well. He went for big second serves. That was maybe the difference. You know, I wasn't getting as much depth on my returns because of that. You know, conditions can play a part in it as well. It was lively, quick conditions. His serve was bouncing off the court a lot. It can be tough to control the returns. Yeah, I mean, I always say you never take matches or any players for granted because on any given day, you know, things can change. If you don't play your best, they play a great match, you know, you can lose. Sometimes you just have to find a way to get through. I did that today.



Q. Did you worry not being able to go to Miami would have this effect?

ANDY MURRAY: Well, I mean, the best training you can do sometimes is on the match court. You know, obviously not getting that many matches in on the hard courts and in these conditions before probably didn't help. But having played a match like today in the heat and the humidity ‑ obviously it was about four hours ‑ I'm sure tomorrow I'll be tired. But it may help me for the remainder of the event. So just have to wait and see, do all the right recovery stuff. I feel okay just now. Hopefully I'll be all right tomorrow. Get a good practice in, get myself ready for the next round.



Q. You're not worried that playing so much today will have a knock‑on effect?

ANDY MURRAY: I hope it's a benefit, if anything. I need to spend time on the court. I need to go through tough moments, tough situations, you know, because I haven't been through them the last ‑‑ you know, I've been in pressure situations but not necessarily physically demanding conditions. Today was that and I hope it helps me.



Q. You tell us sometimes what you eat before a match. After a match as physically draining as that, what type of food do you put in yourself?

ANDY MURRAY: A lot of protein.



Q. Meat, fish?

ANDY MURRAY: Meat, fish. I have like protein shakes I take after the match. I try to get about 150 grams of protein in me today, tomorrow. That helps repair the muscles. Yeah, just really a lot. I need to eat a lot. You can lose two or three kilos. Matches like that, you don't drink properly. Obviously when you finish you're still burning calories. Yeah, I just need to make sure I stay topped up on that. If you don't, you'll be tired going into the next match.



Q. What will be on the menu tonight? Big steak?

ANDY MURRAY: Sushi. Sushi tonight. Go for sushi tonight, I think. We actually had steak a couple nights ago. Maybe tomorrow I'll do that. I try and eat ‑‑ for dinner I'll have fish one night, chicken the next, then steak. Try not to have the same thing every day. Probably be good to get some steak tomorrow.



Q. It looks like you're going to play Raonic, who you played three times this year. Can you talk about the challenges he presents.

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, he has a huge serve. He's improved a lot from the back of the court. He goes for his second serve, as well. You know, he can serve some doubles but also get free points from his second serve, too. Yeah, you know, it's a similar kind of match to playing Isner. I would say they have a similar game style. You know, he has the same power on the serve as Isner. Probably can't hit the spots that he can because of the height, but is maybe a little bit more solid from the back of the court. But, yeah, this is his best year on the tour so far and it will be tough.



Q. Do you see him as someone that is really going to be a contender for majors?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah. I mean, I think he obviously has the potential. When you have big, big weapons, that obviously helps. He's had some good wins this year. He's also had some tough losses. Like against Tsonga at the Olympics, he lost a very close one. He lost a close one against Querrey at Wimbledon, as well. His match with Hewitt in Australia was a tough match, too. He's obviously playing better and better. He's gaining experience all the time. Yeah, he's definitely going to be dangerous.



Q. How do you see Nadal's injury, his future?

ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I don't know exactly the exact problem he has with his knees. I'm sure he'll come back strong. It might just take a little bit more time. He's not really been out for really long periods of time beforehand. But he's always come back to be one of the best players in the world. So I would expect the same this time. But it might just take a little bit more time because of the length of the injury.




continued ................

[cazza99]

.........transcript continued



Q. You're having a great summer. If you had to step back and say what the one or two toughest things you've had to go through in your career, what would those be?

ANDY MURRAY: Toughest in any respect?



Q. Yes.

ANDY MURRAY: My wrist injury when I was young. That was pretty hard. It was really painful. Took me a while before I started feeling comfortable on the court again. It was probably about three months but wasn't really feeling good till five, six months afterwards. I found that hard. Yeah, I mean, a lot of the stuff you do away from the court when you're training, that hurts a lot. That can be some of the toughest stuff that you do mentally and physically. That can be some of the most challenging. And then in terms of matches, I mean, Wimbledon this year was probably tough for me. But I haven't rebounded from a tough loss like that one like I did obviously at the Olympics beforehand. So I was happy with the way I played at the Olympics because of how hard Wimbledon was.



Q. Going away as a kid, was that tough?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I was 15 when I left home. The first few weeks were hard. But when you're 15 and it was in Barcelona, I met a lot of new people. I didn't have my parents to tell me what to do all the time. And, yeah, you have a bit more freedom that way. But it's hard. Sometimes when you're that age, you have some problems, not being able to speak ‑‑ you can speak to them on the phone, but not having your family around, yeah, can be hard. But it also I think helps you later on in life, as well. So there's positives and negatives to leaving home.



Q. Did you get to watch Laura yesterday?

ANDY MURRAY: I didn't see the first set or the end of the third set. I saw a fair amount of the middle part of the match. But I was practicing during it. Afterwards, I obviously went to do all my physio, stretching, all that stuff. But I saw parts of it. To beat somebody as good as Li Na, she obviously played a fantastic match.



Q. How impressive is it to put massive wins like that back to back?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I think sometimes when you have your first big win, it can relax you. I think maybe in some ways because of the quality of the players she's played after winning against Kim, it was always going to be tough the next round to come back. But she's playing against Li Na, who was probably expected to beat her. So she's playing right now with nothing to lose. She's going for her shots. She's relaxed. She's had two massive wins. She's now got a chance to play against the defending champion. I'm sure she'll be playing on Ashe tomorrow at some stage. It's great. It's a great experience for her. I hope she can keep it up. She's definitely got a chance tomorrow if she plays like she did the last couple of rounds.



Q. Have you run into Roddick at all?

ANDY MURRAY: I actually haven't seen him yet.



Q. How do you deal with that situation? Do you leave him alone? Do you say something if you see him?

ANDY MURRAY: I think I'd probably congratulate him if I saw him. Yeah, I'm sure he's obviously going to want to try to win the event. I mean, it would be the best way ever to obviously finish. But, you know, if I saw him, yeah, I'd congratulate him on his career and hope he enjoys his last tournament 'cause, you know, he's been around on the tour a long, long time. He's very well‑respected amongst the players. Yeah, it's a shame that he'll be finishing. But, you know, I'm sure he'll enjoy his life after tennis.



Q. It's obviously such a big achievement for anybody to win one major. Do you ever look at Roger's 17 and wonder how that kind of achievement is possible?

ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, obviously everything that he's achieved, Sampras before him, obviously Rafa, his record at his age, hopefully he still has a few more years left at the top of the game, it's incredible. But that happens in a lot of sports. You have exceptional, you know, players that have a combination of many things from great work ethic, talent, all the other intangibles that you have. They're incredibly talented individuals that have learnt how to use all of their skills in the most important situations. I mean, I can see how it happens. It's happened before in other sports. But the consistency in doing it over such a long time is what is so impressive. You know, obviously Roger now is 31, I think, and he's still No. 1 in the world. He's playing great tennis. You know, I think it's good for our sport. But it's a very, very hard thing to do. So you won't see it that often. I'm sure it will be a while before someone breaks his record of majors.



Q. When we spoke to Feliciano, he said any other era you would be No. 1 for a long time. Given a choice, would you rather be in this era, which makes it tougher for you, or is there a part of you that wishes those guys didn't exist?

ANDY MURRAY: Obviously, you know, if they weren't there, there would be more chance for me to win major tournaments. But I think I've improved as a player because I'm competing against them, as well. You know, if you look at it purely on how much people have won, then, yeah, I would obviously rather be in a different era. But I think I'm playing better tennis than some guys may have in the past because I've had a chance to compete with them, play at this level, again those guys. There's obviously pros and cons to it. I enjoy competing against them. I'm happy to be part of a bunch of guys that plays against them on a regular basis and it's definitely improved me as a player.



FastScripts by ASAP Sports

[cazza99]

US Open (http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/match_reports/2012-09-01/201209011346534174886.html) - Murray survives epic battle against Lopez

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/9515359/US-Open-2012-Andy-Murray-cites-hot-conditions-as-factor-in-tough-win-over-Feliciano-Lopez.html) - US Open 2012: Andy Murray cites hot conditions as factor in 'tough' win over Feliciano Lopez

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19455564)- Andy Murray wary of big-serving Milos Raonic at US Open

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19439743) - Andy Murray beats Feliciano Lopez in US Open third round

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9514322/Vibrating-sleeve-could-help-teach-Andy-Murrays-serve.html) - Vibrating sleeve could help teach Andy Murray’s serve

Sky Sports (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,12611_8043180,00.html) - Murray edges out Lopez
Andy's on court post match Sky interview

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/mats-wilander/nothing-negative-murray-085848466.html)- Nothing negative about Murray
includes video

New York Daily News (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/2012-u-s-open-andy-murray-defeats-feliciano-lopez-crush-mother-judy-murray-article-1.1149913) - 2012 U.S. Open: Andy Murray defeats Feliciano Lopez, the crush of his mother, Judy Murray

New York Times (http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/01/conversations-with-andy-murray-questions-from-readers/) - Conversations With Andy Murray: Questions From Readers

New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/02/sports/tennis/us-open-day-six.html) - Murray Holds It Together in the Heat, and Federer Cruises to a Win

Scotland on Sunday (http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/sport/other-sports/us-open-andy-murray-overcomes-feliciano-lopez-and-the-heat-to-reach-fourth-round-1-2501629) - US Open: Andy Murray overcomes Feliciano Lopez and the heat to reach fourth round

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/sep/01/andy-murray-feliciano-lopez-us-open) - Andy Murray beats Feliciano López to reach US Open fourth round

ATP (http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/08/35/US-Open-Saturday-Murray-Hangs-Tough.aspx) - Murray Hangs Tough Against Lopez; Raonic Up Next

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/168000.html)- Murray a pass master

Tennis Space (http://www.thetennisspace.com/on-court/fleming-brits-feeding-off-collective-success/)- Colin Fleming: Brits feeding off collective success

[RoastLamb]

Floppy said some nice things about Andy. Sweet!

[cazza99]

Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2197239/US-Open-2012-Andy-Murray-faces-tough-test-Milos-Raonic.html)- Look out, Andy, here comes the... Maple Missile who is out to end American

Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/bigserving-milos-raonic-next-in-firing-line-for-murray-8101442.html) - Big-serving Milos Raonic next in firing line for Murray

Evening Standard (http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/other-sports/raonic-i-know-my-serves-can-help-me-win-against-andy-murray-8101658.html)- Raonic: I know my serves can help me win against Andy Murray

US Open (http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2012-09-01/201209021346597602037.html) - Raonic press interview before playing Andy

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/tennis/us-open-andy-murray-faces-tough-1299463) -Usual suspects: Murray meets Spacey then admits it'll only get harder after win in stifling heat

Toronto Sun (http://www.torontosun.com/2012/09/03/milos-raonic-has-andy-murray-in-his-sights)- Milos Raonic has Andy Murray in his sights

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-news/top-stories/murray-cried-alone-days-after-netting-gold-medal-1-2502845)- Murray cried alone, days after netting gold medal

Bleacher (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1320452-us-open-tennis-2012-power-ranking-mens-contenders-after-round-3)- US Open Tennis 2012: Power Ranking Men's Contenders After Round 3

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/tennis/hothouse-conditions-expose-the-cost-of-andy-murray-s-olympic-campaign-1-2502705)- Hothouse conditions expose the cost of Andy Murray’s Olympic campaign

Sun (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/tennis/4517649/Andy-Murray-gets-thumbs-up-from-Kevin-Spacey.html) - Andy gets thumbs up from Kevin

10sballs.com (http://www.10sballs.com/2012/09/02/ivan-lendl-international-junior-tennis-academy-quadruples-enrollment-in-one-year/)- Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy Quadruples Enrollment in One Year

Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/sep/02/andy-murray-us-open-milos-raonic) - Andy Murray centre of attention at US Open ahead of Milos Raonic clash

Daily Record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/andy-murray-fantasy-football-fan-1297037) - Andy Murray's insider info puts him in running for new gong.. a fantasy football trophy

[harriet]

rave review in guardian (http://http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/sep/04/andy-murray-milos-raonic-us-open) "In a two-hour torrent of near-perfection before the rain hit New York, Andy Murray bamboozled Milos Raonic to such an extent that the player John McEnroe regards as the most likely to be in the vanguard of the new wave trudged off the Arthur Ashe Court as if he'd gone 12 rounds with Vitali Klitschko."

[cazza99]

rave review in guardian (http://http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/sep/04/andy-murray-milos-raonic-us-open) "In a two-hour torrent of near-perfection before the rain hit New York, Andy Murray bamboozled Milos Raonic to such an extent that the player John McEnroe regards as the most likely to be in the vanguard of the new wave trudged off the Arthur Ashe Court as if he'd gone 12 rounds with Vitali Klitschko."

I can't get the link to work - I get a list of google queries, but I think it is this one - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/sep/04/andy-murray-milos-raonic-us-open?newsfeed=true

[DaveArneRiise]

Beeb can't even get Murray's age righ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19455564)t :facepalm:

[cazza99]

Scotsman (http://www.scotsman.com/sport/tennis/us-open-murray-into-quarters-after-defeating-raonic-1-2504542)- US Open: Murray into quarters after defeating Raonic

Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/9519223/Andy-Murray-reaches-US-Open-quarter-finals-after-dominant-performance-against-Milos-Raonic.html) - Andy Murray reaches US Open quarter-finals after dominant performance against Milos Raonic

ESPN (http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/168432.html)- Murray stands tall to down big-serving Raonic

ESPN (http://espn.go.com/tennis/usopen12/story/_/id/8333750/2012-us-open-andy-murray-continues-quarterfinal-roll)- Andy Murray to 8th straight quarters
including short video of highlights

BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19455564)- Andy Murray beats Milos Raonic to make US Open quarters

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/impressive-murray-eases-new-york-last-eight-020914178.html) - Impressive Murray eases into last eight at Flushing Meadows

Eurosport (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/04092012/58/highlights-murray-impresses-win-raonic.html) - Video: Highlights: Murray impresses in win over Raonic

Sky Sports (http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,20699_8049751,00.html) - Murray motors into quarter-finals (2:24)
Andy's on court Sky interview after beating Raonic

Sky Sports (http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/us-open-2012/story/26934/8049787)- Andy Murray pleased with his US Open victory over Milos Raonic

Sky Sports (http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/us-open-2012/story/26927/8049794) - Masterful Murray
Tim Clements analysis of the match

Sky Sports (http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/us-open-2012/story/26927/8049965) - Many happy returns
Peter Flemming analysis of the match

Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/09/03/murray-beats-raonic-to-reach-us-open-quarterfinals300588/) - Murray beats Raonic to reach US Open quarterfinals

si.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120904/murray-defeats-raonic/) - Rising Raonic mastered by Murray

[cazza99]

US Open (http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/interviews/2012-09-03/201209031346715200400.html) - Cilic press interview before Andy

The transcripts for Andy's and Raonic's press conferences are not up yet. The videos are available on the US Open video page - http://www.usopen.org/en_US/interactive/video/index.html?promo=topnav.

[RoastLamb]

Tom Tebbutt's report of Andy vs Milos. (http://www.tenniscanada.com/index.php?title=Tebbutt:-Murray-Too-Tough-for-Milos&pid=4087)

[Caro]

Love the guardian article!! Especially the bit about Andy saying 'sorry' to Milos for beating him :lol: