Oh brother! French duo send Murrays crashing out of Beijing doubles

There was more than enough disappointment in their faces to show they certainly didn't like losing; but it wasn't the end of the world for for them.

The Murray Brothers were downcast over their Olympic failure, but no sooner had their campaign ended with a whimper than Andy began making plans for the US Open and Jamie started packing his case for a reunion with his regualr doubles partner. They were back to the day job.

That is probably the clearest indication of what an Olympic gold medal is really worth in tennis.

Not-so-great Britons: Jamie (left) and Andy Murray failed to get to grips with their French opponents

To be fair to the British duo, they said the right things, they made the right noises and showed no inclination to shrug after going down 6-1, 6-3 in little over an hour to the French pairing of Clement Arnaud and Michael Llodra.

Andy was even candid enough to admit he had failed to ensure he was in the best possible shape for the challenge of Beijing.

'I didn't prepare for matches as well as I should have done,' he said. 'I lost 4.5kg since I arrived and it wasn't just the heat. I should have checked all that earlier on. It's disappointing as a professional and I've got to learn from it.'

But there was none of the abject desolation and despair you see written on the faces of countless athletes, cyclists and swimmers.

There was none of the tearful emptiness choked back by gymnasts, archers or rowers after seeing four years of anticipation and hard work suddenly smashed.

Out of synch: Andy Murray serves as Jamie awaits the return

The talk from Andy was of his goal this year being a place in the Masters Cup, of regularly making the second week of Grand Slam events. It was of points, ranking, prizes and 'the bigger picture'.

'After being at the Olympics for the first time, and seeing athletes win medals I realise it's a big deal,' said Andy.

But it didn't particularly show in a misfiring performance. The Murrays were outclassed throughout by accomplished 2007 Wimbledon doubles champions.

Between them the brothers' serves were broken on four separate occasions and didn't have one break point of their own in a game that was over with indecent haste.

But world No 6 Andy knows his worth will really be judged at the US Open.

'I want to prepare well for New York,' he said. 'I didn't get here as soon as I would have liked and I want to get over any jet lag be prepared as it's my favourite tournament'.

There are those who peddle the line that Olympic tennis is 'special', but it is a pretence. Along with football, it's arguably the most ordinary event here.

There is one reason and one reason alone why a sport should be embraced by the Olympics. When an winner stoops on the podium to have that precious gold hung around their neck it should mark the pinnacle of achivement.

When the band strikes up the anthem and a country's flag is hoisted into the sky, it has to be the ultimate sign of success.

That scenario will never be realised in a world where players are judged by the number of Grand Slams and measured by the weight of their Wimbledon trophies.

The Olympics is an entertaining diversion, a chance to step off the multi-million-pound merry-go-round and join the rest of the world for a while. But I doubt you can name the winner of the last Olympics tennis titles (and I wouldn't blame you either.*) Like football, it has no meaningful part in the five ring circus.

It is why golf should never be allowed into the Olympic family either. Who cares if Tiger Woods wins the a gold medal apart from his family and his sponsors at Nike? The Murrays said they would be better prepared 'next time'. And 2012 in London promises to be a cross between Wimbledon and the Davis Cup. But it won't matter.

A 100m Olympic winner sprinter is a legend for all time. A 100m world champion is forgotten before you know it. A British doubles team defeated in the second round of the tennis is forgotten already. Which is just as well.

* Men's singles gold: Nicolas Massu, Chile. Men's doubles gold: Fernando Gonzales and Nicolas Massu, Chile.