Post by lingzi on Sept 27, 2012 1:18:29 GMT -5
LONDON -- Andy Murray believes the tennis tournament at the London Olympics will be viewed by the sports top players as a fifth Grand Slam on this years hectic calendar. T.J. Ward Jersey . The fourth-ranked Briton, who has never won a major, lists Wimbledon and the Olympics as his priorities this season, above the French Open and U.S. Open. "Tennis at the Olympics has become a big deal," Murray said Tuesday. "Everybody plays it now. Ten or 15 years ago, guys were skipping the Olympics. Everybody is playing it now." Murrays only previous experience at an Olympics was a disappointing one. He was enjoying the best run of his career coming into the 2008 Beijing Games. He had a first appearance in a Grand Slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon with his first Masters series title in Cincinnati. However, Murray was sluggish in a first-round loss to Yen-hsun Lu of Taiwan, ranked No. 77 at the time. "I was very nervous before I played, which normally tells you something of the significance of it," Murray said. "I didnt play well but it was one of the best experiences I have had. Being around all the top athletes in the world, going back to where you are staying in the village and seeing the chart on the wall where all the medals have been won -- it would be nice to be part of that." Even winning bronze would mean a lot to Murray. "You see the emotions of the guys. Djokovic won the bronze medal last time and it was a huge deal to him," Murray said. "If you lose in the semifinals of a Grand Slam, you are disappointed. If you win a bronze medal at the Olympics, its huge. "Olympics is a different feeling and a different atmosphere than just a regular tournament," Murray added. "You feel like you are playing for your country. On tour, you are kind of playing for yourself. At the Olympics, when you see all the flags and being part of the opening ceremony, its just different." With the Olympics coming between Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, Murray has a hectic schedule this summer. He will also be defending his title at the Queens Club -- the grass-court warmup tournament for Wimbledon -- after committing himself to the event for the next five years. Troy Polamalu Womens Jersey . It was the way his team lost. All three Boston goals came on giveaways, and veteran winger Alex Kovalev was benched for most of the third period, as the Bruins downed the Canadiens 3-1 on Sunday afternoon to become the leagues first team to reach the 80-point mark. Peyton Manning Nike Jersey . Hudson has bone spurs in his left ankle and said Saturday he had a cortisone shot Friday after his attempt to throw in the bullpen "wasnt too good. Darrius Heyward-Bey Jersey . After advancing to the second round of the playoffs three straight years, the Hawks were eliminated in the first round with Thursday nights Game 6 loss at Boston. Aaron Hernandez Jersey . Taiwans actor and musician Jay Chou arrives at a news conference to promote his movie The Curse of the Golden Flower in Tokyo February 11, 2008. [Agencies] Li Liya, a teacher with the institute, told China Daily yesterday Chou accepted the offer on Sunday when he met more than 1,000 students at the school. Ziggy Hood Jersey . Playing on his home course at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club, Lu reclaimed the title he won in 2005 with a comfortable three-stroke victory. He bogeyed the last two holes Sunday but the 66s he shot in the first two rounds -- and his third-round even par of 72 -- cushioned his poor finish. CALGARY - Jiri Hudler has landed with the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old centre signed a $16-million, four-year deal with Calgary on the second day of NHL free agency. It will be just the second NHL team for Hudler. In 409 career games, all with Detroitt, he had 87 goals and 214 points. Champ Bailey Youth Jersey. He scored 25 goals and 50 points in 81 games for the Red Wings last season. "He is one of the very best goal scorers in the NHL at even strength," said Flames general manager Jay Feaster. ' ' '