SCOTLAND IS LOUD AND PROUD OF LOCAL HERO
AWESTRUCK and adoring, the 8,700 crowd rose as one to acclaim a performance of near perfection. When Andy Murray plays like this, even the opposition are forced to doff their caps i n recognition of true greatness.
And, quite apart from all the skill and ability he brings to any contest, there is something truly magi ca l about watching Murray lead Great Britain in the Davis Cup.
‘Being part of the team and representing your country, it’s a proud moment every single time,’ is how the victorious British No 1 puts it. ‘I love it. And I’ve always performed my best when playing for my country.’
Those blessed to have been here on day one of this semi- final against Australia would have no reason to doubt that sentiment so simply expressed; in deed and word, Murray continues to e mbarrass al l who dared question his commitment to British tennis.
Because, yes, he outclassed the plucky and promising Thanasi Kokkinakis. But he also worked for his win. Even while speeding to victory in the third set, Murray refused to ease up in his harrying and chasing of apparently unreturnable efforts from the young Australian, grunting and sweating as he covered ground to somehow keep points alive.
When victory inevitably came after just an hour and threequarters, then, he was afforded a fitting tribute. There was no need for primal screams of relief, no guttural roars of triumph, just noisy recognition of a local hero poised to carry Team GB into their first Davis Cup Final since 1978.
The tennis fans — both diehard and casual — who bought tickets for yesterday all understand that we are living in something of a golden age for the British game. Not that they would ever let themselves get too carried away by such thoughts.
For the Davis Cup crowd is not your average sporting mob. Older, more family-friendly, eager to don spangles and bows, they exude a feelgood factor even before a ball is struck in anger.
The fact so many fans seemed to actually enjoy the Red Hot Silly Pipers (sic) murdering their way through the soft-rock canon as a warm-up act also suggested a large number of visitors. No Scot could ever applaud our national instrument being abused in such a manner.
Still, the place was rocking by the time Murray entered the arena, one raised fist acknowledging the i nevitably rapturous reception. With RunRig’s Loch Lomond belting out of every speaker as the players knocked up, the scene was set for a Caledonian clobbering.
All t hose who pushed f or Glasgow to be awarded this tie spoke about the added value in seeing Murray play up close and in person, rather than on a TV screen. No matter how often you’ve seen him before, the pace he puts on the ball, his speed of thought and movement … they’re utterly remarkable.
This i s maybe Scotland’s greatest ever athlete, indisputably Britain’s finest ever tennis player, still at the peak of his powers. He looked every inch a member of the game’s elite.
So good at reading his opponent, knowing not where the space is but where it’s going to be, he left Kokkinakis — your archetypal Aussie battler — bamboozled.
A least two of Murray’s forehand winners l ooked to everyone, including his opponent, as if they were going to sail a foot beyond the baseline, only to dive down and in at the last split second.
Driven ‘winners’ that would have broken lesser opponents were swatted aside, drop shots chased down and popped back over the net, chip - and- charge tactics negated with a perfect lob.
Oh, and weak top-spin second serves? That’s like throwing a slow hanging curve ball to Babe Ruth.
Kokkinakis, a regular hitting partner of Murray, said: ‘ I’ve practised with him a fair few times and that’s the best he’s played against me. By a mile.’
The 19-year-old also spoke about the ‘ pretty cool’ atmosphere, something he enjoyed despite being on the wrong side of the politely partisan support.
Watching Murray throw big air punches to all four corners of the arena as the sporting anthem of last summer — 500 Miles by The Proclaimers — was being belted out by so many, it was hard to argue with the kid.
As the Scot pointed out, having a second Davis Cup tie here so soon after the March win over the USA has produced a little side bonus. Glasgow now really ‘gets’ this event, understanding that it’s perfectly OK to be a bit more raucous than regulars at the All England Club.
The locals will get louder as the weekend goes on, too, cranking the decibels up today and building to a crescendo tomorrow. Inspired by the presence of a sporting genius who, when clad in the colours of his country, never lets us down.
Glasgow now ‘gets’ this event; it’s OK to be raucous