The last time the male version of the Rogers Cup was played in Toronto two years ago, Andy Murray took the title with impressive back to back victories over Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. However after the rigors of the Olympic Games, the Scot is not setting his sights too high this year after a rapid trans-Atlantic switch of surface and continent.
Going into Olympic play on Thursday, Murray faced a potential schedule of seven matches in four days if he was to maintain his quest of winning gold medals in the Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles.
Despite his affection for the Canadian leg of the ATP World Tour’s Masters 1000 series after winning the title in Montreal in 2009 and twice reaching the semi-final, the event has become secondary in the fourth ranked Scot’s immediate thoughts.
After watching compatriots win gold medals at rowing and cycling, Murray is extremely fired up for the Olympics after experiencing a disappointing time in Beijing four years ago. And to the obvious dismay of Toronto tournament director Eugène Lapierre, he said: “Right now I care a lot more about the Olympics than I do next week.”
Murray intimated that the only reason he would take a fast flight to Toronto was the mandatory status of the event in the ATP World Tour’s rules. “ It is very, very difficult to switch but if we don’t play, we get fined so I’m sure pretty much all of the players will be there,” he said.
“From what I understand, if you win medals, you also have to stay the following day to do all of the press stuff, 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 won’t be great. Right now I’m just trying to do my best here and hopefully win a medal.”
© Daily Tennis News Wire
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