Andy Murray has unusual obsession at Olympics as Brit makes trades with other athletes
Andy Murray has been enjoying himself in the build-up to his final Olympics.
Katie Boulter has revealed that Andy Murray has been pursuing an unusual hobby which he takes 'very seriously' in the build-up to his final Olympics. The two-time Wimbledon champion will officially retire from tennis after the Games, where he will represent Team GB in the men's doubles.
Murray was initially expected to play singles but withdrew from the event shortly before the draw was made on Thursday morning. He will take part in the doubles competition alongside Dan Evans, with the pair facing Japan duo Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel in the first round.
Boulter, who is also representing Team GB in Paris, phoned into Heart Breakfast on Thursday morning to lift the lid on her preparations. She revealed that Murray has been obsessed with collecting pins since arriving in the Olympic village, even going as far as trading selfies with fans for them.
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Asked what it has been like having Murray as part of the team, Boulter said: "He is probably the pro in pin collecting. He takes it very seriously. Ever since the accreditation line that we were picking up our badges, he was right on the ball and getting as many as he could.
"So, he does have a slight, unfair advantage because a lot of people come up to him for selfies and he’s trading that for pins, which is interesting. You know, tough to keep up."
Explaining what the hobby involves, she added: "We all get given pins from our countries and every other country has their own pin as well. Some have a few pins which are unique, and some are special, and some aren’t, but they trade them.
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"At night, you’ll see people go out. We went out last night, like all of us together on our Team GB bikes, looking for pins and some people that we can trade pins with. It’s insane, it is. It’s very unique and very special, but some are better than others, I will say that."
Murray will be hoping to bow out in style by claiming a medal in his fifth and final appearance at the Olympics. He struck singles gold in 2012 before taking silver in the mixed doubles alongside Laura Robson, while he went on to defend his singles title in 2016.
He was given a rousing reception in his final match at Wimbledon but it seems he will not receive a farewell ceremony at the Olympics. Tennis bosses have already confessed that their hands may be tied by the International Olympic Committee, who could prevent Murray from being given a fitting send-off.
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