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Andy Murray on Wimbledon - and those remarks about England

Andy Murray
  • Posted at 3:45pm
  • 17 June 2009
  • by WilliamGallagher-RT
  • 23 comments

Such talent, such strength and such a fantastic chance at Wimbledon - yet still Andy Murray has his detractors. Maybe it's because the Scottish tennis star revealed he was supporting "anyone but England" in the 2006 World Cup.

"I made a joke about the England team, like I do with my friends," he explains in an exclusive interview for the new issue of Radio Times. "And they joke about Scottish football all the time! That's when I realised I couldn't afford to make jokes like that."

If he's decided to avoid that, he's also trying to shed his famous grumpiness and says he's not the first to go through this. "Growing up, Andre Agassi was my favourite player to watch. He's one of the few people who have been bigger than tennis. He went from being disliked - he used to get angry on court and throw tantrums - and then he changed. By the end of his career he was loved."

Now that he's used to being a focus of attention, he says things are going better. "I struggled. [But] the past year and a half has been much easier because I've a lot more experience and I'm a lot more mature."

With growing media experience comes growing professionalism in all areas: "I hired two fitness trainers at the end of 2007. It was probably the best decision I've made."

His new attitude and his intense physical training regime have already led him to victory at Queen's this week, where he was the first Brit to win since 1938. But he's wary of being too cocky about his chances for Wimbledon glory: "It's possible. You need a little bit of luck - you've got to win seven matches. And I've got two of probably the best players of all time in the draw: [Roger] Federer has won five Wimbledons. Rafa [Nadal] has been in the past three finals and won six grand slams. So if I can do it, it would be an unbelievable achievement. But this year? I've got to play my best to do it."

Are you excited about Wimbledon this year? Do you think Andy Murray's got what it takes to lift the trophy at Wimbledon? Post a comment below and let us know.

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Comments

  • Posted on 10 September 2009
  • at 4:05pm
  • by Bryan

My grandchildren,a couple of weeks ago,had a school trip to see him train.His responce to their presence,when he made mistakes was "Those kids are putting me off"and that was the only attention he made to them.Needless to say he didn't win any fans on a daytrip which was the highlight to end their term.He should learn a little bit of humility,for these future fans now know him as a foe and not a friend,a complete reversal to the wecome given to them by Michael Owen.

  • Posted on 25 August 2009
  • at 9:48pm
  • by Casper

Never in my life have i read such clap trap in my life. Andy did not make the comments public at least if you hate the guy, be factual.

Its quite clear that most on here havent a clue what they are talking about.....typicial of the ignorance shown to one of OUR sports men. Some really need to get a life. Andy will let his racket do his talking.

You know...the NEW NUMBER 2 IN THE WORLD.

With 8 titles this year alone. 53/7 win loss record and back to back masters.

If you think thats easy.........then why couldnt Greig and Tim do it......yea.....thought not.

Some should go and educate themselves before the speak about a subject so obviously out of their league.

  • Posted on 09 July 2009
  • at 3:25pm
  • by dieseldavid

Why is everybody so hung up on a persons nationality or the colour of skin. We are all individuals from planet earth. Why can we not all get on with each other.

  • Posted on 04 July 2009
  • at 10:39am
  • by Pearl19

I'm finding this discussion very interesting and I agree with much of it. I am half Scottish by birth, half English, and I consider myself British. But it would not occur to me to support a player purely on their nationality. Great champions have several key attributes - grace, humility and charisma. Traits Murray is yet to acquire. I'm sure we all know that his comments about the English are said casually and light-heartedly, but that isn't really the point. He made those comments public - and he will have known that by so doing he will cause offence to 90% of his supporters, which is grossly unprofessional at best. It's right that people should be outraged - when one considers how much has been invested in this ungrateful young man, and where most of that investment comes from. I would add that he is not not quite as 'Scottish' as he would have us think. And he is certainly 'British' when it comes to money. I'm sorry to say this, but I cheered when this arrogant young man fell to Roddick. He is a wonderful tennis player, but his attitude leaves much to be desired.

  • Posted on 03 July 2009
  • at 1:43pm
  • by BuckBlack

RabidScot indeed. This kind of one-eyed nonsense shouldn't sway anyone either way in terms of whether they support the young man or not. People can only speak for themselves, at the end of the day.

  • Posted on 03 July 2009
  • at 1:17pm
  • by Joeyb

I have yet to meet a Scottish person who would want an English person to win anything so why should we want them to win. Dennis Law didn't want England to win the World Cup in 1966 and his team mates from Man Utd were playing so that just sums up their attitude for me. They all come to live here and then just harp on about how great Scotland is.

  • Posted on 03 July 2009
  • at 12:52pm
  • by Jabberwock

Just for the record most people won't really notice and couldn't care less who wins!

Who won the Derby last year? Do you know? Do you care?

Who won the Superbowl? Do you know? Do you care?

That's how I feel about this silly business of knocking a ball back and forth for two to three hours!

  • Posted on 03 July 2009
  • at 11:33am
  • by Mark

Can we please remember that this is a sport played by individuals? Win or lose, Andy Murray represents himself, and not a country, nation or people.

  • Posted on 03 July 2009
  • at 6:50am
  • by Chris

There is only one player who deserves to win Wimbledon - and it's certainly not Murray. He's A reasonably good player, yes, but he's not of Grand Slam winning ability. Only Roger Federer has shown this fortnight to be deserving of the title and should Murray somehow manage to overcome Roddick today, Federer will have an opportunity to give him an adult lesson in tennis etiquette and skills on Sunday!

  • Posted on 02 July 2009
  • at 8:34pm
  • by RabidScot

Go Andy! Shame there won't be an Englishman in the final for you to wipe the floor with - but then they never could play tennis, eh Tim?

  • Posted on 02 July 2009
  • at 7:48pm
  • by Captain Sensible

The comments about England were made tongue in cheek, lightheartedly, to wind up his friends who had been winding him up about the Scotland team - not to be taken seriously at all!

  • Posted on 02 July 2009
  • at 6:03pm
  • by Lover not a fighter

just read the scottish comments on here! its laughable, they are so anti english and yet Murray still gets massive support from all the natives at Wimbledon!!! are all the english just stupid or just too nice!! i am not sure, we all support him anyway!!

  • Posted on 02 July 2009
  • at 3:23pm
  • by Ukfan

Tennisdress - there is no need to be like that. I don't hear people moaning when Scotish, Welsh, English or Nothern Irish individuals do well at the olympics! This is meant to be a UNITED Kingdom - so please people... lets UNITE. Lets all support Andy all the way!

  • Posted on 02 July 2009
  • at 9:48am
  • by alex

What an arrogant chap he is with a huge chip on his shoulder...the only reason he has a chance this year is because Raffa pulled out! I consider him a Scot 100%, definately NOT one of US!!!

  • Posted on 02 July 2009
  • at 7:50am
  • by Observer

So many comments about nationality and not tennis - they do chime with Martina Navratilova's interview on 1 July saying there is much more nationalist feeling in spectators at matches round the world now. Whatever happened to just enjoyig watching good games of tennis and respecting the discipline that makes these achievements possible? I'd rather criticise the people who haven't made use of the money spent on heping them succeed...

  • Posted on 01 July 2009
  • at 7:14pm
  • by Julia

Let's not talk about Andy losing, shall we guys? Let's have some encouragement here!

  • Posted on 01 July 2009
  • at 6:35pm
  • by Lara

People often repeat that tale of "if he wins he's British if he looses he's..." I have never seen or heard this from anyone on the BBC or any other channel about any sportman, woman or team and I can assure you that I pay attention.

  • Posted on 01 July 2009
  • at 5:48pm
  • by Arcane Path

Tennisdress, that's a little like you have a chip on your shoulder. I'm from London and am behind Andy as a Brit, but no one forgets he's from Dunblane. And when he looses, he looses equally as a Brit as a Scot in my eyes, and I'm sure a lot of English people feel they've lost too, as a supporter of him, no matter what part of the Country he's from.

  • Posted on 01 July 2009
  • at 5:48pm
  • by Arcane Path

Tennisdress, that's a little like you have a chip on your shoulder. I'm from London and am behind Andy as a Brit, but no one forgets he's from Dunblane. And when he looses, he looses equally as a Brit as a Scot in my eyes, and I'm sure a lot of English people feel they've lost too, as a supporter of him, no matter what part of the Country he's from.

  • Posted on 01 July 2009
  • at 1:52pm
  • by England fan

There is no doubt that Andy Murray is a great tennis player but lets not forget he supports anybody except England when it comes to football tournaments... Not very British, is it.

  • Posted on 29 June 2009
  • at 3:16pm
  • by Andy

He has every chance of winning, we love the Scots they're the ones with insecurity issues, go on Andy

  • Posted on 19 June 2009
  • at 10:27pm
  • by ASensibleScot

Tennisdress, it's you who have fallen into a trap - repeating the myth that Murray is only referred to as British when he wins. Its not true. He is mostly referred to as British, sometimes Scottish. Which is fine.

  • Posted on 18 June 2009
  • at 4:27pm
  • by Tennisdress

I see that you too have fallen into the trap of saying, "The first Brit to win since 1938." If Andy wins he is British if he loses he is a Scot....We Scots are so proud of Andy and let it be known that a SCOT has won if he does go on to win Wimbledon!

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