TennisToday

Andy Murray is Honored with Royal Mail Stamp in GB

All Team GB gold medalists have been awarded 1st class stamps.

And in his hometown of Dunblane they painted a post box gold.

Even his dogs got into the act.

But Andy is not home - he's playing the Masters 1000 in Toronto.

He is the 2nd seed and into the 3rd round where he'll play Milos Raonic.

Tennis Medalists for the 2012 London Olympic Games

Men's Singles

Gold - Andy Murray

Silver - Roger Federer

Bronze - Juan Martin Del Potro

Women's Singles

Gold - Serena Williams

Silver - Maria Sharapova

Bronze - Victoria Azarenka

Men's Doubles

Gold - Bob Bryan & Mike Bryan

Silver - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga & Michael Llodra

Bronze - Julien Benneteau & Richard Gasquet

Women's Doubles

Gold - Serena Williams & Venus Williams

Silver - Andrea Hlavackova & Lucie Hradecka

Bronze - Maria Kirilenko & Nadia Petrova

MIXED DOUBLES

Gold - Victoria Azarenka & Max Miryni

Silver - Laura Robson & Andy Murray

Bronze - Lisa Raymond & Mike Bryan

Andy Murray Wins Gold Medal at London Olympic Games

Olympic Men's Gold Medal Match

3 Andy Murray d 1 Roger Federer - 62 61 64

Finally. And pretty damn convincingly.

Andy wins his 23rd ATP title and just his 2nd of the year.

Only 4 weeks ago that these two contested the Wimby final on this court.

Today they traded places in the winners circle.

As big of a win as this is Andy still needs to claim his maiden Slam.

In New York perhaps?

Andy won't have long to celebrate tho..

He'll have a Wednesday start at Toronto against a qualifier.

***

Post match: [This is] the biggest win of my life.

This week's been absolutely incredible, I've had a lot of fun.

I felt so fresh on the court today. I didn't feel nervous really at all...

Apart from at the beginning of the match. The support's been unbelievable.

For me it's the biggest win of my life. I'll never forget it.

Photo: Getty Images

Bryan Brothers Win Gold at London Olympic Games

Olympic Men's Doubles Gold Medal Final

1 Bryan Brothers d 2 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga & Michael Llodra - 64 76(2)

Like Serena just before them the Bryan's complete a career golden slam.

The only big titles they have yet to win: Indian Wells & Shanghai.

And Shanghai is understandable as it's relatively new.

Indian Wells is the tricky one as singles players have dominated the dubs.

But here at the London Games they took care of the singles slummers.

In 5 matches the future Hall of Famers only faced one real doubles team.

Bob gushed after the match:

This is the biggest win of our career right here. It's unbelievable.

Then is was Mikes turn: To play on Centre Court at Wimbledon and...

Win the gold medal is a dream come true. We could stop tomorrow and...

We got a big smile on our face for the rest of our lives.

Way to go boys. Now go get that Indian Wells trophy.

Photo: Getty Images

Serena Williams Wins Olympic Gold Medal at London Games

Olympic 2012 Women's Gold Medal Match

4 Serena Williams d 3 Maria Sharapova - 60 61

No women's final has ever been this lopsided.

The nearest is 6 games lost which happened on 3 occasions.

In fact, Serena lost a grand total of 17 games this entire tournament.

This is Serena's 1st Olympic singles medal & 44th WTA title.

And she's still in the hunt for a 3rd doubles gold with sister Venus.

Serena joins Steffi Graf as the only women to win all 4 slams & a gold medal.

Remember: Steffi did it in the same year, 1988.

With 5 titles this year, it's the most Serena has won since winning 8 in '02.

She won't gain enough points to move up from her current rank of #4 but...

Her current form would suggest she could be #1 before long.

AND, there is little doubt in the locker room who the best player is.

Coincidence: SW19 - Southwest or, Serena Williams?

***

Post match: I didn't expect this. I can't even... oh my gosh.

I have a gold medal in singles, oh my gosh. I got the gold. I'm just so happy.

I don't know what to do. I just feel good about my game.

I've practiced so hard. It was time.

It's too much. I never expected gold in singles.

I was so happy with my doubles golds. I thought if my career's over...

I have my gold medal, now I have everything, literally.

I have everything there is to win in tennis. Where do I go from here?

Now I can go to Disneyworld!

Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer & Andy Murray to Play for Gold Medal at Olympics

Olympic Final Preview

1 Roger Federer vs 3 Andy Murray - H2H: 8-8

This is a rematch of the Wimbledon final just a few weeks ago.

In that match Roger lost the 1st set but rebounded to take the next 3.

Roger has also beaten Andy the last 3 matches they've contested.

Roger is looking for the only big title not on his resume.

Andy is looking for the single biggest title of his career.

No pressure guys. None at all.

***

Andy after his semifinal win over Novak Djokovic, 75 75:

Before the tournament started that was the goal [to] try and win a medal.

It's been an amazing month and one of the best of my career.

The support that I have had over the last month...

After Wimbledon, I really needed it.

***

Roger after his marathon against Del Potro, 36, 76(5), 19-17:

I hope I can get to gold again...

And that it's going to set free some great playing on Sunday.

Then we'll see if I win or not. I'm sure the emotion is going to be extreme.

Prince William & Kate Enjoy Some Olympic Tennis

They took in Murray's win - on court 1.

And with no royal box they sat with the commoners.

And did the Mexican wave.

Boy, these Games sure have put a great look on the future king.

And how do you not love Kate?!

Novak Djokovic Handles Andy Roddick Easily to Move into 3rd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Men's Second Round

2 Novak Djokovic d Andy Roddick - 62 61

This match promised to be better but Novak never let Andy in the match.

Remember: Roddick came into the Games on a bit of a roll.

But Noval wasn't having it.

Post match: It was the perfect match in every sense.

I delivered my best game, I think, so far this year on grass courts.

I didn’t expect to serve as many aces...

But both of my matches that I’ve played here I’ve served really, really well.

So that’s something encouraging for the next challenge.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Wins Marathon Match to Move into 3rd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Second Round

5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Milos Raonic - 63 36 25-23

This was a fun one on Court 1 today at SW19.

This was the longest 3rd set in Olympic history.

It was also the most games in a best-of-three match at any Games.

Post match: At the end, I was just very happy for my country.

I did it for them, and that's it. I think it is something good.

To have some good matches like this at the Olympics.

It's good for tennis, it's good for sports and...

I'm just really happy with the way I played today.

Kim Clijsters into 3rd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Women's Second Round

Kim Clijsters d Carla Suarez Navarro - 63 63

Remember, Kim only has a few more matches on tour before she's gone.

For good.

On her way out she's looking for an Olympic medal & a 4th US Open title.

Last week Kim had a cool observation about playing the Games:

You kind of feel like you are going on a school trip...

When we took the train & we were all dressed the same & had our backpacks.

It was fun and it was exciting, having been on tour for 15 years...

To have a new experience.

I look forward to just getting to feel what the Olympic atmosphere is like.

I am not really thinking about retirement until I have come to that.

I am still here because I want to do well and I want to play good tennis.

Juan Monaco into 2nd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Men's First Round

9 Juan Monaco d David Goffin - 64 61

Juan is 1-1 at the Olympics as he one betters his result in Beijing.

Juan is having a career year - making 4 finals, winning 3.

And he's enjoying his 2nd week as a top 10 player.

About representing Argentina at the Games:

I’m used to playing Davis Cup and I’m so proud to represent my country.

It’s always a pressure, [but] it’s amazing, a great time.

It’s different to what we usually do on the tour.

I’m enjoying it a lot and I’m very happy to be on the Argentine team.

Vicotria Azarenka into 2nd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Women's First Round

1 Victoria Azarenka d Irina-Camelia Bego - 61 36 61

Methinks it's a bit too soon for a hiccup.

But she explained things is her post match presser:

It was a long wait for me. I had to play yesterday but it got cancelled.

Your first match on Centre Court, there are always nerves and today...

I couldn't get into the match in the second set.

There were too many mistakes, but I'm glad I could turn things around and...

Finish as strong as I started.

Maria Sharapova into 2nd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Women's First Round

3 Maria Sharapova d Shahar Peer - 62 60

Doing Russia proud.

Debut: Maria just played (and won) her very first Olympic match.

Her match was played with the roof closed as bad weather killed the day.

Post match: You hear a little bit of it, but it's not a big distraction.

When you see the schedule and you see your name on Centre Court...

You know that your match is going to get done.

Knowing what the weather forecast was going to be like today...

I was pretty happy.

Andy Murray into 2nd Round at Olympics

Olympics - Men's First Round

3 Andy Murray d Stanislas Wawrinka - 63 63

Many wondered how Andy would return after the Wimby loss.

I think he showed us he's fine and ready for a medal run.

Post match: I’m really up for the tournament.

I want to be involved in this event for as long as possible.

I’m going to give it my best shot.

With the dismal weather forecast he may just be there forever!

Serena Williams Plays in Front of Michelle Obama as She Moves into 2nd Round at the Olympics

Olympics - Women's Second Round

4 Serena Williams d Jelena Jankovic - 63 61

Easy peasy.

Serena is looking for one of the few titles to elude her: singles gold.

Post match: They asked me if I minded if she sat in my box, and I was like...

'Of course not. Please. It would be my honor'.

I mean, I love Michelle. She's so cool. I've met her several, several times.

Seeing her there made me feel better and made me want to play better.

After the match I gave her a thumbs up just to acknowledge...

I knew she was there - obviously it's impossible not to see her.

I also loved her dress. She's always looking good.

Photos: Reuters

Roger Federer Survives 1st Round Scare at Olympics

Olympics - Men's First Round

1 Roger Federer d Alejandro Falla - 63 57 63

"Phew," went the GOAT.

Remember, Rog is looking for one of the few titles to elude him.

And he has a great draw.

In fact, he doesn't have a singles medal of any color in 3 previous attempts.

I'm sure all of Switzerland was holding its breath today.

Post match: When I play for Switzerland I try to be a good ambassador...

As I travel around for eight months of the year.

But it's different having the Swiss cross on your jersey and...

You do feel the pressure. It's not something that we're used to...

Everybody's talking about it on the street in Switzerland.

It only comes every four years so it's unusual and I feel that too.

The Olympic Tennis Draws are Out

Real quick entry. Projected quarterfinals for the men and women.

***

MEN

Top Half

1 Roger Federer vs 8 Janko Tipsarevic

Spoilers: 14 Fernando Verdasco, 10 John Isner, David Nalbandian

***

4 David Ferrer vs 8 Juan Martin Del Potro

Spoilers: 12 Gilles Simon, 15 Kei Noshikori, Philipp Kohlshreiber

***

Bottom Half

3 Andy Murray vs 6 Tomas Berdych

Spoilers: 11 Nicolas Almagro, 16 Richard Gasquet, Ryan Harrison

***

2 Novak Djokovic vs 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Spoilers: 9 Juan Monaco, 13 Marin Cilic, Andy Roddick

***********************************************************************

WOMEN

Top Half

1 Victoria Azarenka vs 7 Angelique Kerber

Spoilers: 9 Sara Errani, 16 Nadia Petrova, Venus Williams

***

4 Serena Williams vs 8 Caroline Wozniacki

Spoilers: 10 Li Na, 13 Vera Zvonareva, Jelena Jankovic

***

Bottom Half

3 Maria Sharapova vs 5 Samantha Stosur

Spoilers: 11 Ana Ivanovic, 15 Sabine Lisicki, Kim Clijsters

***

2 Agnieszka Radwanska vs 6 Petra Kvitova

Spoilers: 12 Dominika Cibulkova, 14 Maria Kirilenko, Julia Goerges

Wimbledon Gets Dressed for the Olympics

SW19 looks ready. But that color is gonna take some time to get adjust to...

Photos: Getty Images

Andy Murray & Venus Williams with the Olympic Torch

Venus' Olympic haul: singles gold in '00 & dubs gold in '00 & '08 with Serena.

And Andy's: the big zippo.

He's the #3 seed and something tells me he'll grab one of those medal.

Silver & bronze are nice colors but all of the UK want him to win gold.

I kinda do too.

Photos: top Rueters - bottom Getty

Rafael Nadal Withdraws from London Olympics

That damn knee.

Defending Olympic champion has pulled from the 2012 London Games.

From his release: I am not in condition to compete in the London Olympics...

And therefore will not travel as planned with the Spanish delegation...

To take part in the games. I have to think about my companions...

I can't be selfish and I have to think of what's best for Spanish sport...

Especially tennis and Spanish players and give fellow sportsmen with better...

Preparation the chance to compete.

I tried to hurry my preparations and training to the very last minute...

But it was not to be.

Is one of the saddest days of my career as one of my biggest ambitions...

That of being Spain's flag bearer in the opening ceremony of the games...

In London, cannot be.

You can imagine how difficult it was to take this decision.

Let's hope for a successful return to the summer hard court season.

Mend, Rafa. Mend.