Two-time Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray has confirmed his withdrawal from the men’s singles at this year’s Paris Olympics.
The two-time gold medalist, who is retiring from tennis following the conclusion of this year’s Games, will partner Dan Evans in the men’s doubles tournament as he bids to go out on a high with a fourth Olympic medal.
But Murray has decided against competing in the singles as well, having also withdrawn from the singles at Wimbledon earlier this month after undergoing surgery to remove a spinal cyst.
‘I’ve take the decision to withdraw from the singles to concentrate on the doubles with Dan,” Murray said in a statement confirming his withdrawal.
“Our practice has been great and we’re playing well together. Really looking forward to getting started and representing GB one more time,” he said.
Murray has tasted Olympic success in doubles before. Along with his singles gold in London in 2012, he claimed silver in the mixed doubles partnering Laura Robson.
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Murray had already spoken of how his priority was the doubles tournament with Evans, having spent most of his preparation practicing for that format.
“Obviously me and Dan have made the commitment to each other that [doubles] was what we were going to prioritize,” Murray told Sky Sports earlier this week.
“I think Dan is still going to play singles, but last week he did a lot of doubles practice, that’s what I was predominantly practicing in training when I was in Greece and since we’ve been here, we’ve been practicing and playing doubles sets together.
“That gives the team and us the best opportunity to get a medal, realistically. My back is still not perfect and the potential of playing two matches in a day is maybe not the best.”
The WTA and ATP format that’s seen outside of Grand Slams is implemented at the Olympics.
Singles matches are best-of-three sets, while doubles are also best-of-three sets but the final set is just a tie-break, which is first to 10 points.
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