Catherine Scott: Why we should all take a leaf out of Ronaldo and Murray's book

Research from the mental health charity Mind has found that four in five 18- to 34-year-old men put on a brave face when they are anxious.

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health problems and Mind believes that crying is both an powerful and proactive way to counteract its adverse effects.

Well if this weekend is anything to go by then our sporting heroes should be well up on their mental well being.

Firstly, we witnessed Andy Murray bursting into floods of tears after defeating Canadian Milos Raonic in straight set to lift the Wimbledon trophy for the second time.

The Scot has been criticised in the past for showing no emotion, other than angry outbursts on the court. He maintains he is an emotional person, but likes to keep his emotions private. But after Sunday’s final another Murray appeared who was unafraid to let the emotions, and the tears fly.

With shoulders shaking and tears running down his face the world number 2 had to visibly pull himself together to make his acceptance speech.

Murray credits becoming a father to five month old Sophia for his greater determination to win, but it might also be fatherhood which has made him happier to show his emotions in public - and why not?

There is nothing like the raw emotion of seeing your new born baby to make the tears flow.

Cristiano Ronaldo may not be a father, but he became a father figure to the Portugese team later on Sunday and wasn’t ashamed to show his emotions.

The tears first flowed when he was forced to leave the finals of Euro 2016 after a tackle left him unable to play on. But rather than sulk on the sidelines, Ronaldo, often criticised for being a selfish individualist, showed he is actually a team player.
Despite his in jury he spent the second half running up and down the sidelines coaching his teammates to victory.

And when the whistle blew at the end of extra time and Portugal lifted the trophy for the first time no one cried more than Ronaldo. This time it was tears of utter pride at his team and country and what they had achieved in winning the European Championships.

He may not be everyone’s favourite player but he showed that he relishes being a father figure to the younger players and is not ashamed to show his emotions.

Tears are not unusual in sport and if the Mind research is anything to go by our men could do with taking a leaf out of Murray and Ronaldo’s book.