The British Olympic Association (BOA) has confirmed seven further tennis players as selected to Team GB for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
They join Andy Murray, who was announced as a member of Team GB last week, and bring the number of tennis players who will represent Team GB this summer to eight.
The new athletes confirmed to Team GB today are:
- Elena Baltacha – Women’s singles (From Ipswich, age 28)
- Colin Fleming – Men’s doubles (From Linlithgow, age 27)
- Ross Hutchins – Men’s doubles (From Wimbledon, age 27)
- Anne Keothavong – Women’s singles (From Hackney, age 28)
- Jamie Murray – Men’s doubles (From Dunblane, age 26)
- Laura Robson – Women’s doubles (From Wimbledon, age 18)
- Heather Watson – Women’s doubles (From Guernsey, age 20)
British stalwarts Anne Keothavong and Elena Baltacha will compete in the women’s singles event, after being awarded wild cards by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Keothavong and Baltacha have been at the forefront of British women’s tennis for over a decade, with both players looking to make a real impact on their Olympic debuts.
London 2012 represents an excellent opportunity for the two youngest members of the tennis team, Laura Robson and Heather Watson, to showcase their exciting talent and gain further experience of competing on the international stage. The pair will compete together in the women’s doubles competition, and will be looking to produce fine performances to reflect the bright future which both players have.
In the men’s doubles competition, Jamie Murray joins younger brother Andy, who has already been selected to compete for Team GB in the Olympic men’s singles competition this summer. The pair will be making their second Olympic appearance after playing together in the same event at Beijing 2008, and will be looking to reproduce the form they displayed last year when winning ATP tournaments in Metz and Tokyo.
Top-ranked men’s British doubles pair Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins complete the selection, and will also compete in the Olympic men’s doubles competition held at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.
The confirmation of the seven additional tennis players brings the total number of athletes officially selected to compete for Team GB at London 2012 to 353 across 29 sport disciplines.
Team GB Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: "We are delighted that Team GB will be represented by eight players, six of whom will make their Olympic debuts, in the London 2012 Olympic tennis competition at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. The squad announced today contains an exciting mix of youthful potential and experienced players and I have every confidence that with the enthusiastic support of the home crowd behind them they will produce some unforgettable matches and do Team GB proud during the Olympic competition later this summer.”
Team GB Tennis Team Leader Paul Hutchins said: "I'm delighted to welcome the additional members to our Olympic tennis team. We are very grateful to the ITF for supporting our home players at our home Games in what will no doubt be a wonderful experience for all our team. In this group of athletes we have a real mix of talent, from athletes who have been playing professional tennis for years, to those players really just at the beginning of their fledgling careers, but one thing's for sure, and that is the fact that we'll be ready to give it our absolute all."
British women’s number one Anne Keothavong said: "I’m still overwhelmed that I’ve been given this opportunity to play at the Games. I’m not sure if and when it will sink in, but as a Londoner all I can say is that this will be the most amazing highlight of my career. It’s not every day that you get selected to play in the Olympics, and I’m just so happy that the years of hard work I’ve put in have paid off in the most incredible way.”
Elena Baltacha said: "It's impossible to put in to words how grateful I am to the ITF for giving me the chance to play at the Olympics. It's always been my dream and I can't quite believe that it's going to come true now - especially at Wimbledon. I have always loved playing for my country and Fed Cup has given me some of the most amazing moments of my career. It's an incredible honour to represent GB and I'm going to relish every second of being an Olympian."
Jamie Murray said:“It's an honour to be part of Team GB and competing for medals in the Olympics. I was fortunate enough to go to Beijing four years ago and it was an amazing experience. I can't wait for it start.”
Heather Watson said: “I am so happy to be playing the Olympics with Laura. When I heard the news I was so pleased and I think we can do very well together. We both enjoy rising to big occasions and it's so amazing to be part of something so big and in our home country.”
Laura Robson said: “I am hugely honoured and very excited to be representing the UK in the London Olympic Games. From the moment the announcement was made regarding London winning the Olympic bid, it was my dream to be part of Team GB. Not many athletes are fortunate enough to represent their country at a home Olympic Games and from everything that I have heard and seen it is going to be amazing. I hope to make my team mates and supporters proud.”
Ross Hutchins said: ''I’m delighted to be selected to play for Team GB in the London 2012 Olympics. Growing up I admired all the Olympic athletes competing and for us to be part of the London Games at Wimbledon, at such a special venue and my home club is a dream come true."
Colin Fleming said: “I’m just over the moon to be playing in the Olympic Games. I’ve always enjoyed representing my country in Davis Cup, and to play at the Games on home soil in front of our home crowd will be an experience like no other. It will be the highlight of my career without a doubt and we intend to give it our very best shot.”
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