froggg Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 A man all Britain should be proud of........I think so 15 December 2013 Last updated at 23:37 Share Facebook Andy Murray a man of whom all of Britain should be proud When the British public first met Andy Murray, it certainly wasn't love at first sight. His small talk failed to impress, and too few of us took the time to work out what makes him tick, or to consider how difficult it must be to negotiate those first few years of adulthood in full public view. But then he became a champion - at both the Olympics and the US Open - and cried into his microphone as a Wimbledon runner-up. Play media Murray voted Sports Personality 2013 He was the sporting public's third-favourite in the year of the London Games, and now - after adding the title that British fans so craved - has topped the popular vote by a landslide to become only the second male tennis player to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year. He doesn't crave celebrity, or particularly enjoy the limelight, and would rather be out walking the dogs with his girlfriend Kim than strolling down the red carpet in his tux. But the emotion in his voice as he accepted the award from Martina Navratilova in Miami was evident: this means an enormous amount to him, and he would have loved to be in Leeds to accept the award in person. It would have been out of character, though, for Murray to break away from his crucial pre-season training block, especially as he has not hit a ball in match conditions for the past three months. He finally decided to have surgery on the troublesome back that forced his withdrawal from this year's French Open after helping Great Britain beat Croatia to return to the World Group of the Davis Cup. A September operation was followed by October rehab at both the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton and Chelsea's training complex in Cobham, where he was able to enjoy an underwater treadmill and the occasional chat with Jose Mourinho. Murray in 2013 Australian Open: Runner-up French Open: Absent Wimbledon: Champion US Open: Quarter-finals He arrived in Miami in the middle of November to train with close friend Ross Hutchins (who will return to the doubles circuit in a couple of weeks after recovering from Hodgkin's lymphoma) and Britain's top teenager, Kyle Edmund. Coach Ivan Lendl has been cracking the whip, and at times Serena Williams has been practising on a neighbouring court. Murray and his team are "cautiously optimistic" he will be in good shape for next month's Australian Open. This winter's training cranked up more slowly than usual, with the Wimbledon champion only starting to play full points again 10 days ago. The hardest work will be done in the last few days, which is why Murray felt he couldn't afford to travel back to the UK. He intends to train at Crandon Park until Christmas Eve, and after a flight to Abu Dhabi for an exhibition which begins on Boxing Day, may well find himself back on court just as the rest of us are contemplating a second portion of Christmas pudding. The rewards are immense, but it's an example of the sacrifices Murray has consistently made to become Britain's first Wimbledon men's singles champion for 77 years. The 26-year-old's hand started to shake at about 5.15 on that Sunday afternoon in July, where the on-court temperature peaked at nearly 50C. Novak Djokovic had just saved three championship points, but after Murray himself saved three break-back points, the Serb hit a backhand into the net. Andy Murray was the Wimbledon champion. Play media When Murray won Wimbledon He has been blessed with an exceptional eye, imagination and athleticism, but they are qualities which will only take you so far. Excruciatingly hard work, a forensic approach to preparation and staggering self-discipline have turned Murray into an athlete, and a man, of whom the whole of Britain should be proud. Lendl, who was on the shortlist for coach of the year, made a telling contribution to July's triumph. Advice from a man who also lost his first four Grand Slam finals, before going on to win eight others, carries enormous weight and Murray has praised Lendl for the honesty which helps him learn more from defeats. Huge credit must also go to a support team which includes fitness coach Jez Green, strength and conditioning expert Matt Little, hitting partner and assistant coach Dani Vallverdu, and physios like Andy Ireland and Johan de Beer. And so to 2014: what will the new season bring? After kicking off against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Abu Dhabi exhibition on Boxing Day, Murray makes the short trip to Doha where Rafael Nadal is also in the field for the Qatar Open. Play media High expectations for Murray in 2014 - McEnroe Becoming world number one - as unrealistic as it currently is - is not a priority, but adding to his tally of Grand Slam titles is. He would love to reach the final at Roland Garros - to complete his set of major finals, and prove his back surgery has been an overwhelming success - but the real targets are in New York, Wimbledon, and on the plexicushion of Melbourne in just a few weeks' time. Nadal and Djokovic will have similar aspirations, but if the last stages of his rehab continue to go to plan, Murray should be as physically and mentally fresh for a new season as he has ever been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boycie Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 You troll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwram1973 Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Borin Jock T**t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 British when he's winning, Scottish when he's losing. Well I'm not a glory hunter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duracell Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I can identify with him. I also have an extremely monotonous voice which doesn't match my incredibly bubbly personality. The poor bloke is misunderstood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 doesn't match my incredibly bubbly personality. You're not fat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duracell Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 You're not fat? How do you know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
froggg Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 You troll. Borin Jock T**t Someone must've voted for him....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 How do you know? You was in my dreams last night Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
froggg Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 Kinell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duracell Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 You was in my dreams last night Good point, well made Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozza Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 How do you know? Knew it'd be a mistake to post them pics.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brammie Steve Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Murray's a great guy and a brilliant tennis player. I loved it when he apologised for his "boring voice"! No one else could have won it this year. Well done the SPOTY Scotty!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Someone must've voted for him....... About two thirds of all the votes cast. The guy carries the nation's tennis hopes on his shoulders - and he does it bloody well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I can identify with him. I am extremely monotonous which doesn't match the forum's bubbly personality. Fixed that for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 all forgiven about his england remarks then? or did just scotland vote,cant wait for there own country vote how many will feck off back? i can tell you none Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duracell Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 all forgiven about his england remarks then? or did just scotland vote,cant wait for there own country vote how many will feck off back? i can tell you none What did he say that was so wrong? He doesn't like the England national football team...doesn't mean he hates Britain. Can't imagine many English athletes competing for Team GB cheering on the Scotland in the Six Nations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 What did he say that was so wrong? He doesn't like the England national football team...doesn't mean he hates Britain. Can't imagine many English athletes competing for Team GB cheering on the Scotland in the Six Nations. Ill be supporting anyone but England,wich he later retracted by saying i was young? it a fact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duracell Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Ill be supporting anyone but England,wich he later retracted by saying i was young? it a fact Not denying he said it. I just don't have a problem with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Ill be supporting anyone but England,wich he later retracted by saying i was young? it a fact Do you want context? He was asked in a chat with Tim Henman "Who are you supporting in the World Cup? Oh sorry, Scotland aren't there, are they?" To which he replied, with a smile, "Anyone but England". The shitstorm that followed rages on today - but only with those who want it to. He was also reported to have worn a Croatia shirt, a Paraguay shirt, a Poland shirt or a Germany shirt, dependent upon who you talk to - all of which was complete and utter tosh. I actually wanted Forest to win the 1980 European Cup. I guess that makes me a traitor too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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