I'm knackered
Wimbledon 2009
- Thread starter Nani Nana
- Start date
Yes, but if you identify with Scotland in one sport, shouldn't you be able to do the same in the others? Murray doesn't stop being Scottish just because in tennis he's representing Great Britain.
Well depending on the sport (for example. I don't care what happens in rugby union), I like to see them all do well unless it is against England.
When we play as Great Britain (e.g. tennis, athletics) then I support then as such, when each country plays individually then I prefer England.
What would be the point? It's not a good example because they have no chance of ever winning anything.
But, if the Irish or Welsh ever got to the Rugby World Cup Final i'd root for them without a doubt.
I think everyone with intelligence knows it's unlikely and I don't really know anyone who thinks he'll definitely win it, which is what most foreigners think us brits actually believe if the comments in this thread are anything to go by.
See those 4 guys in hats the camera kept panning to?
Was one of them pretending to be a Jew?
Was one of them pretending to be a Jew?
I don't particularly root for any of them, not even Wales. I don't see the point in dividing the UK up just for football. I prefer England to make the major tournements for entertainment's sake, but sometimes it's funny for me to see them lose. An ideal for me would be for them to make the final in South Africa, and then to lose.
But the key thing is that he's not representing Scotland, he's representing Britain. It's only really football, Rugby and one or two other sports where people represent their constituent country rather than Britain.
At least next year the World Cup will divert some of the hype. And if he bags the US Open he won't be under as much pressure anyway.
You don't really understand how The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland works, do you? Andy Murray is from Dunblane, I am from Brighton and we both live in the same country. Why wouldn't I support his individual effort?
Remember he hammered Roddick in 3 when he was a teenager at wimbledon...
He knows how to beat roddick, he knows how to beat most player. He got through the match today mainly on guts because Wawrinka couldnt really be faulted. Wawrinka was serving much better than Murray and his backhand was superb, he was doing everything right but still lost and i think that tells us a lot about the mentality and ability of Murray.
I mean at times Murray was hitting winners that did actually seem impossible. Not just the people in the UK think Murray has a chance, he is the 2nd top seed and if he served well would have won the match comfortably in my opinion.
I wish the other guy won. He seemed cool.
Good point. Although he had nothing to lose at that stage of his career. I'd make him favourite because he's such a good returner and Roddick's all round game isn't in the same league, but the bookies may go OTT on the odds.
I dont think Murray particularly cares, his PR team have made him say the right things and tried to make him come across as likable to the english fans after the comments that were taken out of context.
The thing about Henman was he was the perfect english gent for the most part where as Murray is very different in personality and background but Murray should win fans with his tennis not his nationality.
The scots will of course support him but tennis is not even a sport that has anything to do with nationality, only for davis cup. For every other tournament he is playing for Andy Murray.
I find it odd that the english fans expect him to be so pro-english, like to be accepted he has to repeat the same stuff, just to get the fans on his side "my girl is english, i have family from newcastle, i live in england..."
I personally think it's great that he's getting good support from the crowd be they from anywhere in the UK and the comparisons to football are a bit daft. Football between scotland and england has been a rivalry. When has tennis ever been that way? it's a totally different set of circumstances.
I wont lie, i wanted Henman out of wimbledon because i literally couldnt enjoy the tournament with the over the top fanfair that surrounded him. I had nothing against him and actually liked him well enough but the level of excitement and expectation was a farce.
I find myself cringing everytime sue barker and co bang on about the great hope of britain and all the "if, and only if" like it's the most dramatic and important thing in the history of wimbledon.
It's the same with the expectation and over the top coverage of england at any international football tournament, it's enough to put anyone off in my opinion.
absolutely, they went over the top in the game agaisnt Wawrinka, i took murray to win in 4 sets at 3.5, for 5 sets it was something like 7/1.... for straight sets it was so shit it was pointless but it's to do with ranking a lot too.
Tennis isn't a bad bet when you spot an up and coming talent with a lower ranking, when murray was really making his break through i won a fair amount of bets on him. Now i rarely bet or it will be on more than straight sets because otherwise it's pointless.
He returned brilliantly tonight i thought and that's why he is so dangerous. He really needs his first serve to be firing and it was way off tonight. I think it was 3-3 in the final set with Wawrinka serving and it went to a fair few deuces, i thought at that point if he didnt take that game he would lose the match but he pulled through, it was incredible stuff.
To be honest, Murray's fans at Wimbledon today were fecking cringeworthy... They looked like gimps and sound worse than vuvuzelas. I was rooting for Wawrinka for that reason alone. For some reason it was more bearable last year with Murray... It's probably just going to get progressively worse.
He was hanging on by the skin of his teeth in that game
There's a saying in tennis - "you're only as good as your 2nd serve" and Murray had better get that sorted out pdq. Watch Federer and Nadal with their 2nd serves - they actually try to ace opponents with it at surprise points. Some double faults here and there but opponents never think "I'll eat this serve" when they face a 2nd serve - it keeps them honest
I can't see him winning this tourney because of that alone, which would be unfortunate as he has everything else
Did also notice his bottle went a few times in that last set too at 'tight' points but at least he knew it straight away and got angry about it , which Henman could never deal with
fair enough, i think i'll always support Murray, i supported him when he first came on the scene and even then i think a lot of scots were not on his side, i'd argue with friends who thought he was an arse about how i thought he could be a genuine contender in a few years and now he has a lot of support here.
It's his ability that makes him popular now and the lack of anyone else make it Murray or no-one if you want a brit to win something.
Quite.
He's someone who happens to be British who has the right mental attitude to be world class in an individual, competitive, oppositional sport.
Hoo fuqing ray. Finally.
I have followed his progress for years and like what I have seen of his personality too. I am not convinced that this is his year, but, unlike L**erpool, I do think that he will actually have one eventually.
Karlovic will beat Fed tomorrow.
8/1thank you very much
8/1thank you very much
Do you work for Ladbrokes/William Hill/Betfair or do you believe it when you say it?
I have never been so sure about a bet. I am certain that Karlovic will beat Federer on Wednesday. Trust me, stick some money on Karlovic.
Scotland doesn't exist as far as tennis is concerned and neither does England- besides tennis is a game played by individuals and not teams with a never ending continuity going back 150 years. England and Scotland were playing each other in football and rugby before other national sides existed and before both sports had spread outside of the British Isles- it is the home nation sides that are unique not the fact someone is representing Great Britain.
You support the team or player that represents you
Should be all feck off the Ryder cup because the majority of players on our side aren't from our country?
Should be all feck off the Ryder cup because the majority of players on our side aren't from our country?
Well said,
This "Scottish when he loses" thing is kind of embarassing, as far as the world sees it, he's from the UK, GB, the isles, he's a Brit, anyone who watches the American coverage knows and sees this.
As far as i'm concerned, once Henman retired, I needed a new player to support, not because of where he's from, but because I like the tennis they play... I watch Murray and I see glimpses of a young, brilliant player who has their best years ahead of him, so I decide to follow him... it's turned out great so far, in all tournaments he's getting results now and is looking like he's putting his name in for consideration as the best player in the world, but now he needs to get that first major out of the way... what's a better way to do it then at Wimbledon?
As far as i'm concerned, i'm supporting Andy Murray, like I supported Tim Henman, as tennis players, not "Brits".
I always preferred Greg to Tim anyway...
Rudzy? He's a Canadian as far as i'm concerned
I never bought into Henman, maybe something about his personality or persona I didn't care for. For instance I was delighted the far more likeable Ivanisevic edged him in that famous Wimbledon semi and went on to win the tournament
Greg wanted to represent this nation, he never hid anything about himself, he seemed a far more genuine, likeable guy (unless it came to paying coaches money!), I was always sadder at his exit than Henman's
Arguably had the better career in the end having reached a grand slam final too
They won the same number of tourneys though if i'm not mistaken? (15, I guess)
Both great players, Henman was the underdog so he was rooted thoroughly usually... it's like watching England's football, always should win, and is good enough to win, but was always the underdog.
I'm rooting for Murray to win just because I'd like to see the British crowd at Wimbledon go ballistic. You could just feel that there was something special about tonight with the home crowd and the night match and the lights and the five-set thriller. I couldn't imagine what it would be like if Murray wins and I'd absolutely love to see it happen.
Quick search finds in favour of Greg, 15 to 11
Henman has the far better slam record in terms of consistancy, lots of quarter and semi finals appearances. But he never made a final, unlike Greg who lost to Rafter in 97
No one does it like we do! For any of our national sides or individuals, just after Wimbledon finishes we have the cricket Ashes series against Australia to contend.
The Wimbledon crowd is special, I still think to this day Murray's defining moment when he told the world he was a great in the making was that incredible five-setter against Gasquet in the fourth round last year. The difference being with tonight, Murray was getting comprehensively beaten well, well into the third set but he put on a truly incredible display which I doubt would have been possible with a just as incredible crowd that night. What is also great about Wimbledon crowds that even though they shout and scream for British players, they always give due respect and applause for their foreign opponents which is quite remarkable.
I always prefered Greg to Tim too, wore his heart on his sleeve and showed some passion. Tim was like a zombie.
That's what you said about England winning the Twenty20 World Cup. What happened next?
Federer will eat Karlovic.
Just think what it will be like if its a Federer Murray final, espically if it went to 5 sets!
Murrays a natural born winner, I love watching him play, he doesn't give a shit about anyone, he just releases everything on the court. Its refreshing to see after Timbo who was about as charismatic as a fish (sorry Timbo).
Feds will win, it wont be easy. The Doctor Evil Karlovic will serve terrific and lose 7-6 7-6 7-6, he might sneak a set but really the only bets to go for are the amount of games and Feds to win.
"why does he always look unhappy? why can't he smile? blah blah blah"
i hate it when people bang on about that, he shows guts, determination and fight in abundance. He get's angry with himself and has the will to win. He's not unbeatable but he's certainly got bottle. I love it when he gets pissed off, he seems to play better when he's angry.
The comparisons with Henman are inevitable but seriously there isn't a comparison.
If it goes to a tie break I will fancy Karlovic every time. His serve is just brilliant.
Addict i like your positivity but you are an odds chasing maniac, Karlovic wont get passed Federer. His serve is the best in the game but outside of his serve he's utter wank.
The whole Murray mania is quite annoying. That, and his fist pumping and generally getting worked up, with the crowd feeding on that is even more annoying.
Where's an Amritraj brother when you need him, eh.