Martina Hingis, a former world number one, has told The Tennis Space that Olympic tennis champions aren’t always “superheroes”. Hingis said that in some countries, such as her native Switzerland, an Olympic medal makes you “a hero for a day and that’s it – you have a gold medal but it’s not like it has any consequences”.

Hingis on the significance of the Olympics: “I still believe that the grand slams are more important, because of all the history. The Olympics would probably be the fifth event. I think it depends where you come from. If you’re from somewhere like the US, China, Germany or France, you become a superhero. in Switerland, you’re a hero for a day and that’s it. You have a gold medal but it’s not like it has any consequences. Maybe I think differently because I’m from Switzerland.”

Hingis on why Roger Federer and Serena Williams are the favourites for the Olympic titles: “I guess all those great grass-court players will love coming back to Wimbledon for the second time in a summer. Everyone will enjoy it apart from the Spaniards who love clay. I would say that the winners from Wimbledon will be the favourites to win Olympics. But Nadal is going to be fresh and back for the Olympics, after his time off. He was a bit flat during the tournament, he didn’t have much to give, but he will have during the Olympics.”