Okay, tennis fans, let’s talk Olympics! I’m still riding the high of the men’s doubles final where the Aussies, Matt Ebdens and John Peers, clinched the gold. But let’s be real, my heart was really rooting for Rafa Nadal. Huge shoutout to my fellow Postcrosser, Ana, for sharing my Nadal obsession!
When Rafa unexpectedly bowed out in the singles second round, I quickly switched support to Carlos Alcaraz (Andy withdrew from the singles event). And though Andy Murray didn’t quite make it to the top of the podium this time, his doubles match with Dan Evans marked the end of an era. He is retiring after the Olympics, and it’s only fitting that we give him a proper stamp-collecting send-off.
Let’s rewind to the unforgettable 2012 London Olympics. It feels like just yesterday that I was on the edge of my seat, cheering on my picks for gold and bronze. Rafa was sidelined with an injury, but the drama didn’t disappoint. Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) faced off against tennis legends Roger Federer (Switzerland) and Novak Djokovic (Serbia), vying for the gold and bronze medals, respectively. And let’s just say, Murray’s gold medal victory was a moment for the ages. Winning on home turf was like a fairytale come true – an OLYMBLEDON! That triumph propelled him to even greater heights, including a US Open title that same year and multiple Wimbledon championships (2013, 2016), another Olympic gold in Rio Olympics, and led Great Britain to Davis Cup Championship in 2015. These, on top of winning Masters 1000 titles, becoming the world no. 1 and finishing the year as No. 1 in 2016.
The Royal Mail captured the magic of that moment with a stunning minisheet featuring the London 2012 gold medalists, including our champion, Andy Murray. It’s a must-have for any tennis collector.
It’s a bittersweet time for tennis fans. While the tennis world celebrate Andy Murray’s incredible career, a storm cloud looms on the horizon with the potential retirement of Rafa Nadal (as a Rafa fan, the thought is almost unbearable!). But let’s focus on the positive for now. Andy Murray’s legacy is undeniable. His Olympic gold was a shining moment for British tennis, and his incredible talent, self-deprecating humor made him one of the most beloved figure. The Royal Mail perfectly captured his legacy with that commemorative minisheet.
Wish you all the best, Andy. From your loving Rafa-fan 🙂