Anyone else feel like they’ve got deja vu going into tomorrow’s men’s singles gold medal match? Just a few weeks ago we were watching the exact same scenario play out at the Wimbledon final. Roger Federer, the newly crowned world no. 1 was taking on Andy Murray, the hometown favorite with the weight of an entire country on his shoulders. He did what no British man had been able to do since 1938 by reaching the final, but came up just short when the Swiss proved to be too much of a competitor. 

Now, just four short weeks later the situation is the same – only this time, the stakes are seemingly much higher. Murray’s goal is still the same. He’s looking to beat Federer for the first time since 2010, but it’s not just a title he’s after. He’s seeking revenge and aiming to prove to the people of Great Britain that he can be the powerful player they want to him to be – and the player they deserve. 

If you ask me, Murray has an almost better shot against Federer on Sunday at the Olympics than he did a month ago at Wimbledon. The grass court grand slam happens every year, whereas the Olympics happen only once every four years. And while the players compete individually both times, the sense of nationalism is always greater when the wins (and losses) are for your country. Andy has a lot to prove, while Roger has already proven it all. But the one thing that neither player has is a gold medal. And while both are guaranteed one, it’s the top prize that means the most. 

There’s no doubt in my mind that tomorrow’s match will be epic. Roger Federer will be looking to claim only the second medal of the entire games for Switzerland, while Andy Murray will be looking to make his hometown (and the host country) proud. Both guys are fierce competitors, so don’t be surprised if it goes all the way to a fifth set. But in the end, the crowd will undoubtedly be behind Murray, and that kind of energy is almost too much for even the great Federer to overcome. 

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