Magnificent Murray is a sporting god that we will always take for granted
ANDY MURRAY is a sportsman we take for granted.
Had he not scrambled past the very talented Fabio Fognini on Friday evening, there would have been widespread consternation.
Even though he came into this Wimbledon tournament with a troublesome hip injury and with minimal grass-court preparation, progress through to the second week was a given in the public’s eyes.
After all, this is the 10th straight year Murray has made it to the last 16.
If he beats Benoit Paire tomorrow, it will be the 10th straight year he has made it to the last eight.
Since 2008, Murray has won the tournament twice, been a runner-up once and a beaten semi-finalist on four occasions.
It is a remarkable record and one achieved under considerable pressure.
The pressure comes through expectation and complacency. On Centre Court on Friday, there was mild surprise that Fognini put up such a battle. There should not have been. The Italian is the 29th best player in the world, a brilliant shot-maker. Murray goes into most matches at Wimbledon, knowing there will be a huge sense of let-down if he loses. That brings its own unique pressure. One day at Wimbledon – it might be against Paire tomorrow – Murray will lose unexpectedly, but what is absolutely certain is that he makes sure he gives himself every chance of winning. Ahead of last month’s World Cup qualifying match in Scotland, Gareth Southgate took his players to a Royal Marines boot camp.
Considering his nationality and famous comment about English football, there would have been no chance of Murray helping out.
But in the future, Southgate cut. His form ahead of the Open is patchy and he is without a Major win since 2014. He may not be “bored”, but he often seems to have as much occupying him away from the golf course as on it.
There is still time to remind us he can become the force he threatened to be. Thursday week at Royal Birkdale would be a good time to start. – in his search for motivational tools – could do no better than ask Murray to forget old rivalries for a moment.
In fact, any coach or manager, who feels his charge or charges are not getting the maximum out of their talent, should seek out Murray.
Whatever happens this week – and to win a third Wimbledon title after such an interrupted preparation would be astonishing – Murray is already high on the list of Britain’s great all-time sportsmen and women.
He must be top of the list of those who have wrung the most out of their ability and instinct.
One of the keys, it seems, is keeping distractions to a minimum. He has a portfolio of
sponsorships that helps put him alongside the country’s wealthiest athletes, but you would never call him a brand. It is no coincidence you rarely hear about how much Murray is worth. He does not do the showbiz, either. Strictly not. Although none too keen to publicly discuss the good news of a second child on the way, Murray gave a little insight into his mindset when discussing how he had enjoyed more time at home this year. It was great, he acknowledged, but he would much rather have stayed longer at a tournament such as Madrid, for example, where he made a third-round exit. Murray’s drive and determination make him stand out even in the ultracompetitive world of professional sport. That’s why he is knighted, why he has been Sports Personality of the Year three times. Yet he is still a great taken for granted.