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Tom Richmond: No matter what happens at Wimbledon, why our hero Andy just can't win
BRITISH bulldog? Surly Scot? Or just another home-grown tennis player weighed down by the unrealistic hopes of an expectant nation?
Andy Murray has never been backward in expressing an opinion of his own; his verbal volleys are refreshingly honest, even though they did not endear him to football fans after his "anyone but England" remark during the last World Cup.
The problem, as the 123rd All England Championships unfolds, is that the whole country has an opinion on the 22-year-old – and is not afraid of saying so – despite their limited tennis knowledge.
For two weeks of the year, they become self-appointed experts into the potency of the Murray forehand, his drop shot and
his stamina.
And it doesn't end here.
There have already been debates on radio stations this week about Murray's mother, girlfriend, chest hair, physique, supermarket habits and tennis apparel. That's just the opening rally. You name it. It's been said.
An acquaintance who should have known better epitomised the national obsession with Wimbledon on day one of this year's championships: "Murray's haircut – he looks so much more like someone who can compete this year." As if his hairstyle will make a difference to the player's on-court aerodynamics.
Put together all the pontification and you'll soon find that there's already been more time devoted this week to Murray than the new Speaker of the House of Commons or the latest political failings of Gordon Brown, his fellow Scot – and that's only after one round.
What will it be like next week if Murray progresses towards a possible dream final with one Roger Federer, winner of 14 Grand Slam titles, who needs one more "major" to become the most successful men's player in history and who is a deserving recipient of every one of the over-used adjectives that have been used this week to describe the "flying Scotsman"?
All I can say – to paraphrase the great John McEnroe – is "Give the lad a break".
Is it any wonder that no British male player has won Wimbledon since the late, great Fred Perry in 1936 when they are submitted to so much scrutiny and pressure?
In many respects, Wimbledon is unique on the sporting calendar – and not just for the strawberries and cream, manicured grass lawns and endless rain delays.
It is a two-week marathon where players perform as individuals. They're not fortunate footballers who have the collective safety of a team environment as the pressure intensifies.
It means expectations grow to unrealistic levels. Even before "Muzza" – his new name according to the tennis experts – had hit a ball in anger this week, his photograph was splashed across the front pages as he
left Wimbledon after a practice session.
Radio Four's flagship current affairs show, Today, devoted a prime-time segment of their show on the morning of Murray's first round match to an essay about the player, his affinity with the Scots and English and how this might change when the "God of grass" wins Wimbledon.
Another radio station had a discussion about Murray's shopping forays to Tesco, and his penchant for a certain chocolate bar to build up energy levels.
I can only assume that we, as a country, have become so despondent, because of the recession and breakdown of trust between MPs and taxpayers, that we are now desperate for any respite.
Yes, there was a middle-class hysteria decade ago when Tim Henman was trying, and failing, to win Wimbledon.
Then, the complaint was the weakness of his clench-liked fist and that he was too "nice" to win. In essence, Brits wanted players who had guts – a quality that Murray possesses in abundance.
Now some of the commentary this week is that Murray does not smile enough – and his on-court body language is not sufficiently Henman-esque.
As Pat Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon champion, pointed out: "Andy Murray's not the greatest-looking guy, not the biggest personality, but can he play. Give me that any day. It's no good being as pretty as David Beckham and not being able to kick the ball."
Perhaps, we'll never be satisfied – even if Murray, Britain's best post-war tennis player and a survivor of the 1996 Dunblane massacre, fulfils his destiny.
But, rather than Murray mania, I'm more concerned about why so few young people appear to be taking up tennis – indeed Britain's finest has only prospered in spite of the Lawn Tennis Association, and thanks to the dogged determination of his mother Judy.
I wandered past my local tennis courts this week. Poorly maintained, the nets were being used as football goals by youngsters who are still too little to become involved in Britain's once-a-year tennis obsession.
Surely, these two weeks of the year should be when the LTA, and the Government, take tennis to the masses as part of the "healthy living" agenda rather than scrambling, Murray-like at the back of a court, for free tickets to Centre Court?
This need was certainly reinforced by the BBC tennis correspondent's reaction when an unknown British no-hoper predictably lost in the first round, after being given a wild card "freebie" into Wimbledon because he was a home-grown player. "He'll be back because there is no one else to give wild cards, too."
What a sad indictment of British tennis today – just two home-grown players into Wimbledon's second round. It's a national embarrassment.
If Britain's once-a-year tennis fans are "serious" – another word made famous by the commentator and playing idol John McEnroe – about the future of their sport, they will direct their enthusiasm
at the LTA, and others, so they do not face a 70-year wait for a player to emerge who is worth inheriting Murray's mantle.
If Murray wins, he will only have done so because the 2008 champion Rafael Nadal "was crocked".
If he loses, then the old debate about "not enough input at grass roots" or "tennis is a middle-class sport" will rear its ugly head and we will be left to pick up the pieces of failure yet again.
In other words, Andy Murray cannot win.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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