Davis Cup - GB's Man of Steel
Leon Smith genuinely looked surprised at some of the amazing tennis Murray managed to produce in the 5th set when he appeared to be down and out after losing his opening service game. His comment of "man of steel" in the post match interview was so apt when you consider that Andy had played so little since the Oz Open.
This was certainly one of Andy's toughest ever Davis Cup matches playing against a quality opponent like Nishikori who competed tremendously well right to the end. (the 32 stroke rally at 0.30 3-5 in the 5th summed up the brutality of the entire match. Click here for highlights and note how Andy struggled to even raise his arm at the end of the point)
Once again he has won 3 matches in 3 days and even managed to surprise Leon Smith and by the looks of it Louis Cayer as well. His mental strength of reserve and incredible resilience are what sets him apart from just about all players on the planet. You write him off at your peril - especially in the Davis Cup.
Serbia next after Wimbledon in the 1/4 final and it's an away tie so not the easiest if Novak plays, but anything is possible when we have Andy Murray, made from girders, in our team! (An irn bru reference for those unacquainted)
Leon Smith genuinely looked surprised at some of the amazing tennis Murray managed to produce in the 5th set when he appeared to be down and out after losing his opening service game. His comment of "man of steel" in the post match interview was so apt when you consider that Andy had played so little since the Oz Open.
This was certainly one of Andy's toughest ever Davis Cup matches playing against a quality opponent like Nishikori who competed tremendously well right to the end. (the 32 stroke rally at 0.30 3-5 in the 5th summed up the brutality of the entire match. Click here for highlights and note how Andy struggled to even raise his arm at the end of the point)
Once again he has won 3 matches in 3 days and even managed to surprise Leon Smith and by the looks of it Louis Cayer as well. His mental strength of reserve and incredible resilience are what sets him apart from just about all players on the planet. You write him off at your peril - especially in the Davis Cup.
Serbia next after Wimbledon in the 1/4 final and it's an away tie so not the easiest if Novak plays, but anything is possible when we have Andy Murray, made from girders, in our team! (An irn bru reference for those unacquainted)
Maria Sharapova Fails Drugs Test
Maria being banned from the game for 2-4 years is not great for the women's game, but I don't have any sympathy for a very rich sportswoman who should have paid attention to the rules. It's not so complicated and I'm sure she can afford to employ someone to make sure she doesn't make this kind of disastrous mistake.
She claims not to have opened the email which explained that the substance she had been taking for many years was now banned.
Too late now but I would sack the support team who should have been on top of this. Losing sponsorship money from Nike etc will hurt her bank balance, but not as much as her reputation and how she will go down in the history of the game. Such a shame for the image of the sport for which I do care!
I only hope that this isn't just the beginning of big name players being outed as drug cheats! Or is it an unavoidable consequence of the desire to succeed in the glamorous world of top 10 tennis players? I sincerely hope not.
Maria being banned from the game for 2-4 years is not great for the women's game, but I don't have any sympathy for a very rich sportswoman who should have paid attention to the rules. It's not so complicated and I'm sure she can afford to employ someone to make sure she doesn't make this kind of disastrous mistake.
She claims not to have opened the email which explained that the substance she had been taking for many years was now banned.
Too late now but I would sack the support team who should have been on top of this. Losing sponsorship money from Nike etc will hurt her bank balance, but not as much as her reputation and how she will go down in the history of the game. Such a shame for the image of the sport for which I do care!
I only hope that this isn't just the beginning of big name players being outed as drug cheats! Or is it an unavoidable consequence of the desire to succeed in the glamorous world of top 10 tennis players? I sincerely hope not.
Tennis in Florence
16th to 23rd July
or
23rd to 30th July
Why not join us in Florence this summer on one of our 2 Ian & Laura Special Hosted Weeks - including 18 hours of tennis including coaching, doubles clinic, matchplay, tournament PLUS free court time and much much more....
Please click here for more information on these weeks and stay in some of our beautiful accommodation in the surrounding Chianti hills. Being only a stone's throw from the spectacular city of Florence only adds to the whole experience.
16th to 23rd July
or
23rd to 30th July
Why not join us in Florence this summer on one of our 2 Ian & Laura Special Hosted Weeks - including 18 hours of tennis including coaching, doubles clinic, matchplay, tournament PLUS free court time and much much more....
Please click here for more information on these weeks and stay in some of our beautiful accommodation in the surrounding Chianti hills. Being only a stone's throw from the spectacular city of Florence only adds to the whole experience.
