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London 2012 is a big deal - Murray

Andy Murray claims gold at London 2012 would mean just as much as winning his first grand slam as he sets his sights on a dream double at the All England Club this summer.

The world No. 4 believes players now treat the Olympics as the fifth major, and is determined to make the most of home advantage this year as he looks to win Wimbledon before returning to the All England Club for the Olympic tournament.

Speaking at The Queen's Club on Tuesday after committing to the AEGON Championships until 2016, the British No. 1 says tennis at the Olympics has become a "big deal". Murray has never won an Olympic tennis match, having crashed out at the hands of Lu Yen-Hsun in Beijing four years ago, but he is determined to make amends this year.

"This summer coming up is going to be huge. Wimbledon and the Olympics would be two of my major goals," Murray said. "The Olympics is different. The feeling you have on the court is completely different, you feel like you are playing for other people, for your country. A lot of times when you are on the tour you are playing for yourself and the guys you work with.

"When I played in Beijing, I didn't play well but it was one of the best experiences I have had as an athlete, being around all the top athletes in the world. Going back to the village each night, you see a chart on the wall of all the medals we have won. It would be nice to be part of that too.

"Tennis at the Olympics has become a big deal. Everybody plays it now whereas 10 to 15 years ago people were skipping the Olympics. Everybody is playing now, a bit like the slams. No-one skips the Australian Open anymore."

Asked whether players considered the Olympics to be on a par with the majors, Murray replied: "I think so. I have only played in it once and it was very important to me. I was very nervous before I played, which tells you something of the significance of the competition. It was very important for me.

"If guys are skipping the Olympics it doesn't look good for tennis but everybody sees it is a big deal. You see the emotion of the guys. Novak Djokovic won a bronze medal at the last Olympics and it was a huge deal for him. Usually you would be disappointed losing a semi-final but if you come away from the Olympics with a bronze medal it is celebrated."

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