American Venus Williams took part in the torch relay which made its way around the All England Club, taking it on from Britain's Andy Murray.

She said "It was so exciting. When I had the invite to carry the torch, I just couldn't believe it. I was just elated the whole time"

Venus won the gold at Sydney Olympics 2000 and had won doubles gold with her sister Serena in 2000 and 2008 Olympics.

"This is the most important Olympics I have ever played. It was definitely a fight to get here. Now I am an Olympian, I am very excited. As soon as I touched down, I just felt all the feelings of being an Olympian," she said.

"It would feel even sweeter now to win a fourth gold medal. But looking at that, I can't believe I actually did that, I'm like 'oh my god'.

She added "At the time, you just get in the zone but afterwards you can't believe it. So if it could happen again, I could make my country proud."