Heart of mid-loathing

Scot to be understood

Andy Murray came from two sets down, survived match points and fading light to reach the last eight of Wimbledon in an heroic victory over Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

Finally, you’ve gotta love the Dunblane dude; the best tennis player these shores have by a country mile?

Er, no.

There’s something about Andy Murray that makes many non-plussed about the obvious talent on show. Yes, we’ve all seen his snarling and snuggle-toothed gurning.

Yes, he has difficult hair and sallow skin. Yes, we’ve seen him swear, cajole, mumble, grumble, shout and scream. And normally the addition of all these things would be a wonderful tennis character.

Instead we have the most arrogant sportsman stripped bare.

We know that Andy Murray doesn’t care what other people think. He sacks coaches and argues with tournament referees like you and I catch buses or trains to work.

We know he’s dedicated his life to being the best tennis player; but then again so has every other tennis player around him.

Take his opponent yesterday, Gasquet. Ranked higher in the world than Murray, he’s won more trophies and more games and is only a year older.

He fought his inspired opponent and the partisan crowd and walked away yesterday with dignity, waving to the Centre Court and speaking eloquently on the post match press conference.

He contemplated the tables being reversed and looked forward to one day playing Murray on his home turf at the French Open: ‘I hope to play against him in Roland Garros for sure, I won't be alone this time. So I'm waiting (for) him.’

And if the tables were reversed we doubt anyone would be talking about Murray’s dignity, then.

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