The Olympics has always been a brutally tough fit into the busy summer tennis schedule.This year, a variety of extenuating circumstances -- led by the looming prospect of the Zika virus -- contrived to thin the ranks of the top seeds on both sides. Half of the mens top 10, including Swiss teammates Roger Federer (knee injury) and Stan Wawrinka (Zika fears) bailed on Rio. Milos Raonic, Tomas Berdych and Dominic Thiem also excused themselves, ostensibly over health concerns.Too bad. They missed a terrific, most memorable party.Over nine days (one of them a rainout), there was plenty of anarchy. No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic was gone before the second round, and the No. 141-ranked player, Juan Martin del Potro, somehow managed to play his way into the gold-medal final.Whew. Here are five quick takeaways from the crazy carnival that ended Sunday:1. Andy Murray is suddenly The ManDont look now, but Murray appears to be the player to beat at the upcoming US Open. In 2012, he won gold at the London Olympics (beating Federer in the final), then followed it up with his first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, dispatching Djokovic in that final. Four years later, he changed it up, winning at Wimbledon and carrying that momentum into the Rio Olympics, carrying the flag for Great Britain.With coach Ivan Lendl back in the saddle again, Murray became the first Olympic player to defend a singles title, beating del Potro in a match that lasted just north of four hours. Djokovic has won 24 of 34 career meetings with Murray, but if the Scot can get someone to do his dirty work -- Sam Querrey took down Djokovic at Wimbledon and del Potro did it in Rio -- hes got a good chance to win.2. Juan Martin del Potro is backWe saw flashes at Wimbledon, but now its official. After struggling through four wrist surgeries, Delpo is starting to look more confident with his backhand, sometimes using both hands in the heat of the moment. The forehand? Once again, its the biggest and most feared in tennis. After beating Djokovic in the first round, del Potro handled Rafael Nadal in the best match of the tournament, a 3-hour, 8-minute semifinal.After del Potro concluded his marathon against Nadal, few gave him any chance versus Murray, who advanced to the final in a match that was 108 minutes shorter. Delpo was enormous, fighting every moment of the marathon before losing in four sets. Earlier, the 27-year-old had said that the gold medal would have meant more than the 2009 US Open title.3. Novak Djokovic needs down timeAfter completing his career Grand Slam at Roland Garros -- his leading priority of 2016 -- Djokovics usually fierce emotional energy has been sometimes difficult to summon. He got bounced by Querrey in the third round at Wimbledon and, after winning in Toronto, fell to del Potro in a marvelous two-tiebreaker match. Their touching hug at net reminded us that the Olympic spirit, despite all the no-shows, is real. Now Djokovic needs to embrace the seasons last Slam, one where hes been a finalist five of the past six years.4. Rafael Nadal is far from doneIts been a season of drama for the 30-year-old Spaniard. He retired from his Miami match against Damir Dzumhur, then rallied to win titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. A wrist injury forced him to pull out of Roland Garros, where he is a nine-time champion, in the middle of the tournament, and then he missed Wimbledon.Although that left wrist still isnt quite right, Rafa said he was compelled to try to play in the Olympics. In Rio, he won gold in doubles with Marc Lopez?and blew through to the singles semifinals. Rafa, looking exhausted, fell in the bronze match to Kei Nishikori?in three sets, but he heads into New York with some serious momentum.5. Jack Sock doubles upThe 23-year-old native Nebraskan was already a Grand Slam champion coming in, as he and Vasek Pospisil beat the Bryan Brothers in the 2014 Wimbledon final. Now, Sock is coming home to Kansas City with two Olympic medals. Sock paired with Steve Johnson to win a bronze in mens doubles (beating Pospisil and Daniel Nestor) on Saturday, then took the mixed-doubles gold with Bethanie Mattek-Sands. His stock in both singles -- where hes ranked No. 23 --- and doubles has never been higher. Titans Jerseys Sale . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Dane Cruikshank Jersey . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. The Anahim Lake, B.C., native was stellar in making 39 saves in his home province and Lars Eller got credit for a bizarre short-handed winner as the Canadiens defeated the Canucks 4-1. http://www.cheaptennesseetitansjerseys.com/ .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. 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