British No 2 Cameron Norrie snubs chance to represent Team GB at Tokyo Olympics amid strict bubble restrictions while Jamie Murray fails to get selected… but two-time gold medalist Andy Murray WILL go to Japan to play singles and doubles
Cameron Norrie and Jamie Murray have turned down the opportunity to represent Team GB this summer as seven players were named in the squad for the Tokyo Games.
Sportsmail understands some players are still unwilling to enter into bubbles and are still being put off by the restrictions that come with it.
The LTA did not mention doubles specialist Murray’s name in their Team GB squad announcement but did appear to confirm a late change of heart from Cameron Norrie ahead of this year’s US Open.
Cameron Norrie and Jamie Murray have turned down the opportunity to represent Team GB
Two-time defending Olympic champion Andy Murray will however lead the charge at the Tokyo Games
An LTA statement read: ‘Cameron Norrie has made the tough choice to focus on his Tour schedule and the US Open for the rest of the year as he continues to build on his recent success and will unfortunately not be travelling to Tokyo.’
Murray’s two-time defending Olympic champion brother Andy will however lead Team GB’s charge in the singles and doubles at this summer’s Games.
The 34-year-old Scot won gold in the men’s singles in London nine years ago and then again at Rio 2016 after defeating Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro in successive finals.
He will now go for a third straight gold in the singles alongside Dan Evans, but will also link up with Joe Salisbury in the men’s doubles in Japan later this year.
The 34-year-old Scot is aiming for a third straight singles gold and will partner Jpe Salisbury (above) in the doubles
‘The Olympics means a huge amount to me, it’s a massive honour to be able to compete at a fourth Games,’ Murray said.
‘Leading Team GB out at the opening ceremony five years ago in Rio was one of the highlights of my career. Going to a second Olympics as defending champion is exciting and I’m looking forward to the challenge.’
Meanwhile, brother Jamie and Norrie’s places in the men’s doubles have been taken by Evans and Neal Skupski, both 31, following their success on tour this year.
Dan Evans (right) and Neal Skupski (left) also make it following their success on tour this year
The duo played in their second and third Masters 1000 doubles final at the Monte Carlo Masters in April.
Evans is also British No 1 in men’s tennis at 26 and achieved his highest ATP ranking to qualify for the Games, while a career-high ranking also arrived in doubles this year.
Skupski also won his fifth ATP title with his brother Ken at the Mexican Open in March.
Heather Watson and Johanna Konta will compete in the women’s singles and doubles for Team GB meanwhile, with the mixed doubles combination to be confirmed once the ranking cut off is known.
Heather Watson and Johanna Konta will compete in the women’s singles and doubles
Andy Murray also won silver in the doubles at London 2012, losing out in the final partnering Laura Robson to Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi.
But the former world No 1 heads into the summer ranked 119 in the world after suffering a series of injury issues with his hip and groin.
He is set to play in the singles at Wimbledon next week for the first time since 2017, having been granted a wildcard for the event.
The two-time champions at the All England Club has played just four events this season but did manage to record a couple of victories at Queen’s earlier this month.
Murray also won silver in the doubles at London 2012 after partnering Laura Robson