Further thoughts on Wimbledon

[Guitarist]

I don't watch much of it these days. I can't stand the squealing and grunting and gamesmanship, and the way the ballboys and girls are largely treated like dirt. And I thought Mr Murray's behaviour yesterday was appalling, and particularly in failing to wait for his opponent before stalking off the court like a spoilt child. I have a piece of advice, which may stand him in better stead than the crap that some of these so-called sports psychologists seem to be handing out to tennis players; GET OVER IT - IT WAS JUST A GAME OF TENNIS AND NOBODY DIED!!!! Just to put it in perspective, two of our guys were killed in Helmand Province yesterday.

[Guitarist]

I should have added that there are, of course exceptions. Roger Federer is one - the perfect sportsmaxn and a gentleman to boot.

[nspur]

If you had watched more of it you would have noticed how much less formal Wimbledon has become, and the better for it. There's really not much for the loser(s) to do other than leave the court to the winner(s). We were there on the second Monday with seats in the new Court 2 (obtained from the ballot from our local LTA), saw some wonderful tennis, sat in comfortable seats, noticed vastly improved food and drink facilities and how much everyone else was enjoying themselves (even the losers of matches).

I think you are practising too hard to be a Grumpy Old Man.

[Guitarist]

I'm not complaining about the relaxation of formality at Wimbledon - far from it. My gripe is with what, in my opinion, in unacceptable behaviour from some players. There's enough of that in Premier League football, which is why I don't watch that either. And I don't think I'm being grumpy - sports stars, whether they like it or not, are role models, and kids copy their every move; good or bad. Just watch a kid's football match and see the disgusting behaviour of some players (and parents).

[sey]

Much as the British public were hoping that Murray would come through for them, he has shown yet again that he is a spoilt kid who believes all the hype about himself, but, in fact, deflates quickly when his bubble bursts.
He is a fairly decent tennis player but will always be second or third or fourth best, because he simply doesn't have the head/psyche to be great.
He doesn't have the class of a Sampras, a Borg, an Agassi, a Federer or even a Nadal.
He needs a total mentality makeover to be great and I don't think that that's feasible.

[parisian]

Fast to climb, even faster to fall, it is ever the way with the hubristic Brits

[geoid]

Obviously as you are all masters in your own fields, with numerous awards and global recognition in them, we most humbly accept your most august critiques.

[geoid]

I presume he is merely Scottish now rather than " British" as he was during the time he was winning! Hmmmm?

[geoid]

Stop being so nasty about him. He had a good go, wasn't the top of this particular game. But I think he deserves some respect for aiming high. One day he might win. If we applauded effort more , they might be less cynicism.

Armchair critic attack mode: off

[Guitarist]

Stop being so nasty about him. He had a good go, wasn't the top of this particular game. But I think he deserves some respect for aiming high. One day he might win. If we applauded effort more , they might be less cynicism.

Armchair critic attack mode: off

I most certainly applaud his efforts, and there is absolutely no doubt that he will win Wimbledon - probably next year. I just wish he, and a lot of others, had some manners and grace about them. Like Roger Federer.

[sey]

Stop being so nasty about him. He had a good go, wasn't the top of this particular game. But I think he deserves some respect for aiming high. One day he might win. If we applauded effort more , they might be less cynicism.

Armchair critic attack mode: off

nobody's being nasty, just stating facts and seeing things as they are and not through wishful rose-coloured spectacles. As for applauding effort, effort doesn't make champions. Skill, talent, attitude and character do, and unfortunately he is very much lacking in the attitude and character dept. even though he has been blessed with some skill and talent.
Now if that is being nasty, by saying it as it is, so be it.

[dangie]

Every sportsman/woman, no matter which sport they compete in, who reaches the higher echelons of their sport has done so through sheer effort and determination. Nothing will have come easy. The media and sporting "experts" are quick to heap a bit of praise on them when they're winning, but even quicker to slag them off when they loose..!!

[AGW]

Having followed his progress over past few years, edging his way up the rankings to number two in the world, its good to see you conceded to him having "some skill and talent".
Unfortunately for your argument he has also clearly demonstrated through this tournament and many others he has plenty of "attitude and character". His progress up the world rankings has been steady and reflects his increasing maturity (only 22).
Yesterday, Murray lost by 4 points, after 5 sets in 3hrs and 17mins, clearly no character could possibly have been required. This of course was his second 5 setter of the tournament. Not someone who holds his nerve then?

Having watched the match yesterday, it seemed to me that his serve (particularly his first serve) was not working well enough on the day (that would be a skill issue).

So without much by way of evidence to back up your case...are you just being nasty?

Graeme

[MickLL]

Having followed his progress over past few years, edging his way up the rankings to number two in the world, its good to see you conceded to him having "some skill and talent".
Unfortunately for your argument he has also clearly demonstrated through this tournament and many others he has plenty of "attitude and character". His progress up the world rankings has been steady and reflects his increasing maturity (only 22).
Yesterday, Murray lost by 4 points, after 5 sets in 3hrs and 17mins, clearly no character could possibly have been required. This of course was his second 5 setter of the tournament. Not someone who holds his nerve then?

Having watched the match yesterday, it seemed to me that his serve (particularly his first serve) was not working well enough on the day (that would be a skill issue).

So without much by way of evidence to back up your case...are you just being nasty?

Graeme

I counted only four sets.

Here are some more random thoughts:

1. Murray is a charmless oik.
2. Women should not get the same money as men (at Wimbledon)
3. Grunters shriekers etc should be disqualified.
4, The courts should be speeded up.
5. Tie breaks should be banned.

Enough? I think so.

MickLL

[AGW]

Well it seemed like 5! Nobody mentioned charm.....he certainly is not engaging, but that is nothing to do with his attitude or character.

Graeme

[dangie]

1. Murray is a charmless oik.
2. Women should not get the same money as men (at Wimbledon)
3. Grunters shriekers etc should be disqualified.
4, The courts should be speeded up.
5. Tie breaks should be banned.

MickLL

1. Frank Bruno had charm. Look where that got him..??
2. That's nothing to do with how the game is played.
3. I agree with you on that one.
4. Can you get high-speed grass..??
5. Wimbledon fortnight will last a month..!!

Any other sports you like Mick..??

[MickLL]

1. Murray is a charmless oik.
2. Women should not get the same money as men (at Wimbledon)
3. Grunters shriekers etc should be disqualified.
4, The courts should be speeded up.
5. Tie breaks should be banned.

MickLL

1. Frank Bruno had charm. Look where that got him..??
2. That's nothing to do with how the game is played.
3. I agree with you on that one.
4. Can you get high-speed grass..??
5. Wimbledon fortnight will last a month..!!

Any other sports you like Mick..??

I said that they were random thoughts so they didn't have to have anything to do with how the game is played.
I don't know if you can get faster grass but the courts are certainly slower than a few years ago - so something has changed.

I do like tennis - that's why I've had these thoughts. I don;t think about and therefore have no ideas about changing sports that I don't like.

MickLL

PS Didn't Bruno become World Champion - or at least one of the versions of it?

[Benchista]

just stating facts and seeing things as they are

Er, you mean expressing your opinion, I think...

[Barney]

Having followed his progress over past few years, edging his way up the rankings to number two in the world, its good to see you conceded to him having "some skill and talent".
Unfortunately for your argument he has also clearly demonstrated through this tournament and many others he has plenty of "attitude and character". His progress up the world rankings has been steady and reflects his increasing maturity (only 22).
Yesterday, Murray lost by 4 points, after 5 sets in 3hrs and 17mins, clearly no character could possibly have been required. This of course was his second 5 setter of the tournament. Not someone who holds his nerve then?

Having watched the match yesterday, it seemed to me that his serve (particularly his first serve) was not working well enough on the day (that would be a skill issue).

So without much by way of evidence to back up your case...are you just being nasty?

Apart form the 'fives sets' you've hit the nail there Graeme.

Murray's got plenty character. Anyone who watched him come back from 5-1 down in the French Open could see that. Unfortunately, his first serve desserted him in Wimbledon. I'd be interested to see how much 'character' he's expected to have at 22.

[sey]

Having followed his progress over past few years, edging his way up the rankings to number two in the world, its good to see you conceded to him having "some skill and talent".
Unfortunately for your argument he has also clearly demonstrated through this tournament and many others he has plenty of "attitude and character". His progress up the world rankings has been steady and reflects his increasing maturity (only 22).
Yesterday, Murray lost by 4 points, after 5 sets in 3hrs and 17mins, clearly no character could possibly have been required. This of course was his second 5 setter of the tournament. Not someone who holds his nerve then?

Having watched the match yesterday, it seemed to me that his serve (particularly his first serve) was not working well enough on the day (that would be a skill issue).

So without much by way of evidence to back up your case...are you just being nasty?

Graeme

Actually he's no.3 in the world and until Federer and Nadal retire or get really old really fast, Murray has more chance of falling pregnant then of being no.1.

It's been difficult to watch Murray "grow up" over the last few years, because he hasn't. He's skill and talent have flourished because of his hard work, yes, but his lack of character let's him down every time push comes to shove. He always has excuses, tantrums and acts like a spoilt child. Yesterday his attitude and lack of fire beat him and not Andy Roddick. I watched the whole match and yes grit and determination won the match and it was Roddick's and not Murray's. Even the crowd who were obviously pro-Murray were very subdued, despite his attempts to egg them on, because to them too, it was obvious that he wasn't there mentally.

Yes he has demonstrated that he has bad attitude. Simply looking at his very recent history here at Wimbledon shows who/what he is. We won't even discuss his opponents in the earlier rounds. In the match against Wawrinka (17 ATP ranking) who hasn't beaten him since 2007, half way through the match, when he wasn't doing well, he was crying about the heat caused by the closed roof - for goodness sake his opponent is playing under the same conditions and suffering the same as him!! Wawrinka then proceeded to lose the match in the fifth set, Murray didn't win the match.
Then Murray walked all over Ferero, a wild-card ranked no.70 in the world. If he had lost this one well.........
Unfortunately "His progress up the world rankings" is purely due to his hard work and natural talent and his progress at Wimbledon was in a large part due to an 'easy' draw, that is until he faced Roddick. He is his own worst enemy and unless there is a huge change in his nature, he'll never be no.1......sometimes he reminds me of Safin whose bad attitude prevented him from being a 'great'.

And if you take yesterday's game as an example, then yes, definitely not someone who holds his nerve, to win the second set and then lose the next two on tie-breakers is purely a question of holding one's nerve. Roddick did, Murray didn't. On the day they were so evenly matched technically, that it was only character that would win that match.

I'm not being nasty, I'm just pointing out that Murray with his present attitude is going to end up another 'almost great' just like Safin, Hewitt and yes, Roddick who left his "growing up" till very late in the day, but his recent performances show that it's working, although his age is going to beat him now. Another player with enormous potential to be great but needs to work on his attitude is Djokowic.