ANDYDUNN Magnificent Murray is a sporting god that we will always take for granted
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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. @tammyabraham “Happy to sign a 5 year deal with Chelsea FC & also happy to announce I’ve joined Swansea AFC on a season loan.” Farce of the Premier League loan system summed up nicely in one tweet. – 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.
IT is early days, but no sign yet of Riyad Mahrez, having handed in a transfer request, getting his move to a big club. Leicester value him at £50million. That is probably why. In the 2015-16 season, Mahrez played 3,058 Premier League minutes. He scored 17 goals and had 11 assists. Last season, he played 2,837mins, scored six times and had three assists. And, quite frankly, he occasionally looked as if he wasn’t trying. It is a barmy market, but Mahrez is not worth £50m – even by today’s mad pricing standards.