Tennis star Neal Skupski is striving for Olympic gold in Paris this summer.
The Liverpool-born tennis player has already tasted vast success in his career.
His most recent major success came in 2023 when he won the Wimbledon Men’s doubles title.
The 34-year-old has won 15 ATP titles in his impressive career but Olympic success still evades him.
“I want to achieve other things in the sport, the other three grand slams are something I’m aiming for.
“The Olympics are coming up, and once you taste success you just want more of it. I was No.1 at the time and now I’m down to 10 or 11.
“I want to get back to the top of the sport. You have to strive and see what else you can improve.
“Despite the success, I still know I’m not a complete tennis player. I can get better at things on and off the court, in the gym and on the mental side.”
Although, Skupski’s place is not confirmed he is likely to compete at the Paris Olympic Games due to his high ranking; he is currently ranked as world number 10 by the ATP.
“I hope I compete in Paris 2024. It’s not confirmed yet, I have to qualify with a ranking – I’m looking good.
“If I’m in the top 10 I am in with a shout. The cut is around the French Open. If I’m not in the top 10, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) will decide together.
“They take six players to the Olympics, a maximum of two doubles teams. I’m ready to go and compete.
“I enjoyed Tokyo 2021 but we had no fans and couldn’t leave the village. We didn’t get the full experience.
“If I get selected it’ll be my second Olympics and something I’m looking forward to.”
Paris will not be the Liverpudlian’s first showing at an Olympic games.
Previously, the 34-year-old accompanied Jamie Murray – brother of Andy – at the Tokyo 2020 (moved to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic) Olympics but the British pair underwhelmed.
The duo were beaten by Japan’s Ben McLachlan and Kei Nishikori in the second round. He hopes the previous experience will help him this time around.
“It would be cool to win a gold medal, not many people get to go never mind medal. Doing it for your country is a massive thing in itself.
“If you said to me ‘You can win a grand slam and it’s not Wimbledon or win a gold medal’ I think I’d take a gold over anything but Wimbledon.
“It only comes around every four years. It would be nice to win a gold medal in doubles.”
The Olympic games will begin in 100 days with Skupski one of the hotly tipped British athletes in the medal stakes.
Tennis competitions commence on the first week of the games.
Doubles competitions will be held for men, women and mixed teams. Final matches to decide who will take home gold will be played between Friday, August 2 and Sunday, August 4.
Rolland-Garros will host the games’ tennis events. The clay court will play to the Southern European athletes’ advantage as many are used to playing on the surface.
However, Skupski is more than confident in his ability despite admitting he favours grass.
“I’ve grown to get used to clay and master it. April to June is on clay. The training is different, on grass, you serve-volley a lot more.
“Points are quicker and the speed in general. On clay, the game is slower and the ball gets heavier, bouncing higher.
“I play more ground strokes and work on sliding whereas on grass courts you don’t slide. It’s about staying low.
“Clay is different, it looks different, you get a lot dirtier, and the feel of holding the ball in your hands. You lose the tackiness of the grip”
(Featured image: Alamy Images under agreed licence)
