Andy Murray boosted for Olympics final v Roger Federer

By David OrnsteinBBC Sport at Wimbledon

Last updated on .From the section Olympicscomments170

Great Britain's Andy Murray
Andy Murray will face Roger Federer in Sunday's Olympic tennis final

Andy Murray believes his chances of winning Olympic gold are boosted as Roger Federer will be playing in his first Games singles final on Sunday.

Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, lifted his seventh Wimbledon title last month by beating Murray.

"It's so rare for him to be in a position where he's trying to do something new because he's achieved so much in tennis," said the Briton, 25.

"I hope that will even things out a little bit."

He added: "Most times I've played him, he's experienced the situations way, way more times than me."

Murray overcame Novak Djokovic to reach his first Olympic final - which will take place on Sunday - while Federer, 30, beat Juan Martin del Potro.

The Swiss has played 107 career singles finals to Murray's 32, winning 75 to the Briton's 22. This year's Wimbledon final was Federer's eighth and Murray's first.

But Murray has won eight of their 16 meetings and will be buoyed by his rousing victory over world number two Djokovic in the semi-finals, which guaranteed him at least a silver medal.

"Playing against Roger is always tough," said world number four Murray, who must also play at least one mixed doubles match alongside Laura Robson on Saturday.

"I've had some good wins against him and some tough losses. I will have learned from the Wimbledon match - I'll look and talk with my team about that match and the tactics for going into Sunday.

"I want to try to 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.

"It's going to be a tough match. I'll need to play great tennis to win. I hope it's a great match because the way the semi-finals went, the tournament deserves a great final. I hope we can provide that."

Federer needed four hours and 26 minutes - the longest three-set singles match in the Open era - to grind down del Potro and later admitted to being "extremely drained".

Murray, by contrast, was on court for exactly two hours and looked as if he had plenty of energy to spare as he leapt around Centre Court in celebration.

"I don't feel tired at all," he admitted. "Mentally I feel really fresh. Normally after playing a match with Novak, you will feel a bit fatigued. I feel fine.

"Anybody that knows me knows I won't go into the match 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.

"There's obviously huge motivation to try to win a gold medal. Winning against Roger in a match like that is fairly significant. I'll be desperate to win.

"Now I'm in the final, I have the chance to win a gold medal. I'm not going to have that chance for another four years. So I'll give it everything I can to try to do that."

Murray is also in his first Olympic final, having lost to Lu Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan in the first round in Beijing four years ago.

But Federer said of the Scot: "He got amazing crowd support in the Wimbledon final. I was able to handle that. But there's never a guarantee. I don't know how much the crowd plays in the outcome of the match.

"He's such a great player but I've been around as well. I think it should be a great match."

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170 comments

  • Comment posted by steamboats, at 10:42 4 Aug 2012

    Poor Andy the legacy of not supporting the English football team haunts him still. His jocular comments were manipulated by the Sun but why should there be such a fuss about him not supporting the English football team anyway? He's not English. Now he's representing GB though, I don't see why bitter and twisted people should be favouring a Swiss.

  • Comment posted by U14097565, at 10:27 4 Aug 2012

    I'm interested by the constant claims that Andy Murray has made "comments" (note the plural) about the England football team. I'm aware of the light-hearted banter with Tim Henman as a naive teenager, could someone please tell me what the other ones are.

  • Comment posted by U14966550, at 11:06 4 Aug 2012

    Comment number 40. Tomath
    "I'm interested by the constant claims that Andy Murray has made "comments" (note the plural) about the England football team. I'm aware of the light-hearted banter with Tim Henman as a naive teenager, could someone please tell me what the other ones are."

    There were no other ones, his words were twisted by the gutter press and embellished with complete fabrications.

  • Comment posted by U14355777, at 10:36 4 Aug 2012

    @34 Murray was never anti-English his comments were mis-reported banter with Tim Henman and reported in that bastion of the English press THE SUN!! I an English Rugby supporter and tease and am teased regularly by my Welsh, Irish and Scottish mates there is no difference in what Murray said.
    Have a word with yourself and grow up!

  • Comment posted by TradeFX, at 16:49 4 Aug 2012

    As an Irishman living abroad for the last 25 years I find it a bit odd that I'm catching myself rooting for Brits when there's no Irish in an event.When I think about it I find that as peoples of the neighboring islands we have many more things in common and only a few minor things separate us.The fact that we can now appreciate those differences in each other makes us good neighbors and friends.

  • Comment posted by jason, at 12:45 4 Aug 2012

    odd.. the anti Murray brigade have managed to get online, find this topic, type the usual "he hates the English" nonsense but do not seem able to click on Google to find out the FACTS surrounding what a 19yr old lad said in jest 6 years ago. They are obviously not stupid so it can only be they want the lies to be true.

    truth here
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqQsHBwkDgQ

    support your home team

  • Comment posted by scotsman, at 10:35 4 Aug 2012

    How ridiculous @36. We all enjoy a bit of banter between the countries of our united kingdom. Andy was just playing to the stereotype with Henman when he was beaing teased about Scotland not being in the World Cup.

    Put your misplaced aspersions aside.

    Come On Andy!! Shred the Fed!!!

  • Comment posted by Douglas Luke, at 10:29 4 Aug 2012

    Pimpmast3r, please look online for the correct story about Murray slating the English football team, this story is tiring, irrelevant and just an excuse many fans use to hate Murray. It is also the reason he shows so little character in interviews now as he does not trust the press to take his words out of context again. Murray's entire team is English (except Lendl)!!

  • Comment posted by Mark Harrison, at 09:33 4 Aug 2012

    Whichever of them wins (and of course, I hope it'll be Andy Murray), it's just a delight to see how respectful and gracious all their quotes are. No rubbishing the opponents, no jingoism... just a truly honourable pair of men at the top of the world, going head to head.

    What the Olympics is meant to be about!

  • Comment posted by Kristofferson, at 12:11 4 Aug 2012

    79. JW101

    Englishman......It must stick in your throat every time Andy advances in any tennis tourney...... eh?
    Incidentally, Fed DOES often shout when he wins break points...... it's the most natural thing for sportsmen to do...
    Also, H2H it's 6-6......... with AM on the rise.......
    Fed will most probably crumple tomorrow, and GBs best tennis player will lift GOLD.......
    .......get over it.

  • Comment posted by U14355777, at 10:51 4 Aug 2012

    I am British, I wish Federer well, he is a great sportsman BUT

    I hope Andy Murray gives him a good thrashing gets the Gold and uses this as his springboard to further success!!!

  • Comment posted by JakiB, at 08:51 4 Aug 2012

    What a fantastic match! Well done Andy! Good luck for Sunday!

    Let's hope he beats Federer - it's about time someone else had a go.

  • Comment posted by Scott1207, at 23:27 4 Aug 2012

    Interesting to read the comments on Jessica and comments on Andy. No negative comments on Jessica's triumph save a comment on a Welshman in a team of English based players. Me I'm a proud Scot and an ever prouder Brit. Do not understand all the negativity towards an obvious Brit like Andy. He represents Britain and gets to 2 finals with a minimum contribution of 2 silvers to the cause.

  • Comment posted by truebluelou, at 12:56 4 Aug 2012

    Andy was AWESOME against Novak. I'm so pleased that there's a huge amount of love for this talented young sportsman whose passion for his game is clear for all to see. Rooting for you, as always, MIGHTY Murray! Go get that gold tomorrow - you know you can do it xxx

  • Comment posted by brightonmummy, at 11:00 4 Aug 2012

    watched the Olympic round-up last night, why no mention of the fact that Murray has achieved at least a silver for team GB?
    As for the anti-English thing, someone better go tell his granny and girlfriend that he hates them!!

  • Comment posted by xenon21, at 10:49 4 Aug 2012

    @40 There are no other supposed anti-english comments. People go on about the banter with Tim without looking at the facts. Was at centre court yesterday and the atmosphere was amazing! Andy played brilliantly and hope he gets the gold!

  • Comment posted by gtrimprov, at 10:42 4 Aug 2012

    Murray has been seen wearing a Wolves top. So will we get a West Brom giving that as a reason for not supporting Murray?

  • Comment posted by U15374328, at 10:37 4 Aug 2012

    Hey Pimpmast3r I encourage you to lighten up a bit. In Scotland we always slag off the English football team it's just a bit of fun. You win lots of stuff or at least get to finals. Think of us for a moment and appreciate that having a poke at English football has just become a national pastime. Andy was just having a laugh and I'm pretty sure we can all appreciate his tennis ability.

  • Comment posted by Buckbarclay, at 10:27 4 Aug 2012

    @36 - you've got to get over it! Said in jest and it has been unfairly held against the best British tennis player of the modern era. He's a proud Scot and there is nothing wrong with that - but he is also very proud to be part of Team GB.

    Hopefully Andy can repeat yesterday's fantastic performance and bring home the gold for GB!!

  • Comment posted by U15374257, at 10:05 4 Aug 2012

    Murray has by far gone beyond anything tim has achieved in the game in an era, we're fed, Raffa and novak are a dominant force. From 93-2000 Sampras was the top man, unlike now with three legends playing who have 33 grand slams between them.

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