Murray Targets Paris Olympics After Tokyo Disappointment 

Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Mo Yecong of China during their men's singles first round match at the Zhuhai Championships tennis tournament in Zhuhai, in China's southern Guangdong province on September 21, 2023. (AFP)
Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Mo Yecong of China during their men's singles first round match at the Zhuhai Championships tennis tournament in Zhuhai, in China's southern Guangdong province on September 21, 2023. (AFP)
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Murray Targets Paris Olympics After Tokyo Disappointment 

Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Mo Yecong of China during their men's singles first round match at the Zhuhai Championships tennis tournament in Zhuhai, in China's southern Guangdong province on September 21, 2023. (AFP)
Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Mo Yecong of China during their men's singles first round match at the Zhuhai Championships tennis tournament in Zhuhai, in China's southern Guangdong province on September 21, 2023. (AFP)

Briton Andy Murray said he hopes to play in his fifth and likely final Olympic Games in Paris next year, after the two-times gold medalist endured disappointment in Tokyo due to injury.

The 36-year-old Scot claimed his first gold at the London Games in 2012 and backed it up with another at Rio 2016, but he pulled out of the singles competition in Tokyo two years ago with a thigh strain.

Murray continued to compete in the doubles tournament with Joe Salisbury in Japan, where the pair reached the quarter-finals.

"I'd love to play another Olympics. I've had thrilling experiences throughout my career at the Olympics. I've loved every single one I've been involved in," Murray said at the Zhuhai Championships.

"I was really disappointed last time. I'd gotten an injury before the tournament and I promised my partner I'd prioritize the doubles over singles if there was a problem. And we were very close to getting a medal in the doubles.

"We were up a set and 4-3, serving with game points in the quarter-finals and we had a really good chance and didn't quite do it. I'd love another opportunity to play next year in Paris. It would be my fifth Olympics and most likely the last one."

Three-times Grand Slam champion and former world number one Murray has fought his way up the world rankings since having hip resurfacing surgery in 2019 and is currently 41st.

Last week, he helped guide Britain into the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup where they will take on Serbia in November.



Paolini Becomes First Italian in 11 Years to Reach Rome Final

Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Paolini Becomes First Italian in 11 Years to Reach Rome Final

Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Jasmine Paolini of Italy celebrates after winning the semi-final tennis match against Peyton Stearns of the United States at the Italian Open at the Foro Italico, in Rome, Thursday, May 15, 2025, (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian woman in more than a decade to reach the final of her home Italian Open when she beat American Peyton Stearns 7-5 6-1 on Thursday.

Paolini is the first Italian to advance to the final in Rome since her doubles partner Sara Errani lost to Serena Williams in 2014.

Paolini had found herself a set and 4-0 down to Diana Shnaider in her quarter-final tie before storming to victory and once again the world number five had a slow start in the opening set before mounting a comeback.

"I am very happy, I don't know what to say! It's a dream to be here, it's a dream to play in Italy, it's a dream to be able to play the final," the 29-year-old said, according to Reuters.

Any hopes of a quick start for Paolini were put to rest when Stearns jumped into a 3-0 lead amid muted applause from the home crowd as the Italian soon found herself 4-1 down.

The American looked comfortable and poised to take the opening set before Paolini clawed her way back as she saved set points to level it at 5-5, pumping her fist with a triumphant scream that got the crowd roaring again.

The comeback was complete when Paolini, having won four games in a row, took the opening set after more than an hour of play.

The momentum was firmly with Paolini as she broke Stearns for a fifth time to go 4-1 up in the second set and the deflated American had no answer as the Italian's winners whizzed past her.

Stearns fired a forehand wide on match point as the crowd erupted and Paolini raised her arms in celebration.

"You (the crowd) gave me a boost because today it was a bit of an uphill start and I struggled at the beginning, thank goodness you were there," she added.

"We won this match together. Point after point I managed to fight, to turn it around, even if at the beginning I did not have a good feeling. But I am happy with the way I managed to turn this match around."