By Andrew Warshaw

Andy Murray_in_Team_GB_London_2012_kitApril 11 - Andy Murray, the world's fourth-ranked tennis player, has said that winning the Olympic gold medal at London 2012 will be just as great an achievement as clinching Britain's first men's Grand Slam title for 76 years.

The Scots ace is still seeking the first major title of his career – and the first men's single Grand Slam crown for Britain since Fred Perry's US Open victory in 1936 – but insisted the Olympics is on a par with Wimbledon when it comes to this season's targets.

''Wimbledon and the Olympics would be two of my major goals," the 24-year-old declared.

"Tennis at the Olympics has become a big deal.

''Everybody plays it now. Ten or 15 years ago, guys were skipping the Olympics.''

Four years ago in Beijing, Murray lost in the first round to Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan, ranked number 77 at the time.

''I was very nervous before I played, which normally tells you something of the significance of it,'' Murray said.

''I didn't play well but it was one of the best experiences I have had.

"[Being] around all the top athletes in the world, going back to where you are staying in the [Athletes'] Village and seeing the chart on the wall where all the medals have been won – it would be nice to be part of that.'

''You see the emotions of the guys.

Tennis Olympics_-_Novak_Djokovic_11_April
"[Novak] Djokovic (pictured above) won the bronze medal last time and it was a huge deal to him.

"If you lose in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam you are disappointed; if you win a bronze medal at the Olympics it's huge."

Speaking at Queen's Club in London at a presentation to announce his five-year commitment to the AEGON Championships, Murray continued: ''The Olympics is a different feeling and a different atmosphere than just a regular tournament.

"You feel like you are playing for your country; on tour, you are kind of playing for yourself.

"At the Olympics, when you see all the flags and being part of the Opening Ceremony, it's just different.''

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