Carrying flag ‘proudest moment’ for Murray

Djokovic, chasing the Olympic gold medal that is the only major honour missing from his glittering CV, lost to Del Potro in the bronze medal match at the 2012 Games.

The final selection of Murray was made by a panel headed by Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England, after Britain’s athletes also had their say. As quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald, Murray said “I’m going to blame the photographers for what happened last night, because I was being given directions and then ended up putting the flag in Princess Anne’s face”.

He added: “By far, this is the proudest professional moment of my career”. Hopefully, I don’t get too many mosquito bites.

He spoke of his pride at being put forward for the role, saying: “I am very proud to be selected”.

Murray’s first foray with the flag didn’t quite go according to plan – proving perhaps that it’s not as easy as it may look. I will try to get a bit of practice in before.

Rio de Janeiro: Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams will display their Grand Slam talents in Rio, but with serious questions being asked over tennis’s place in the Olympics after a host of high-profile pull-outs.

The first round of the men’s singles tennis competition in Rio begins this weekend and, depending on the outcome of tomorrow’s draw, he could begin the defence of his title as soon as Saturday afternoon.

Murray insists he has no regrets about skipping the recent Rogers Cup in Canada, a top-tier Master Series event that he won 12 months ago. “I’m excited about being close to other athletes, share our experiences, have lunch together”.

“I hope she was OK”.

The tennis tournament runs from August 6 until 14 at the Barra Olympic Park where the main court, named after Brazilian tennis veteran Maria Bueno, holds 10,000 fans. “They re obviously two guys who are great players and capable of winning at events like this, so it s a great shame they aren t here”, said Murray.

The Scot, who will also partner his brother Jamie in the men’s doubles in Rio, was instrumental in leading Britain to the Davis Cup title in Belgium previous year – the country’s first triumph in the team event since 1936.