Andy Murray (yes, in News)

[chirpychirpy]

No-one goes in Sport on AB, and anyway Murray has been big news the last few weeks. I'm gutted he lost, especially as he definitely wasn't playing anywhere near as well as he can today. I'd say it wasn't so much about Roddick being brilliant as Murray being uptight. Struck me he finally found the pressure too much to bear, and Roddick took full advantage of that. Murray has improved dramatically in the last year, partly because he has been strengthened physically, but he still failed at this crucial hurdle...just as Henman did a few times. So surely someone needs to work on Murray, and doubtless all UK players, mentally to handle the pressure. Not making the final this year means even more pressure next year. Wimbledon now means nothing to me without Murray. I've gone right off Federer because his silly clothes suggest he believes he's God's Gift to humanity, and he's increasingly making arrogant comments. And Fed usually annihilates Roddick, so what's the point in him making the final? Damnit, why couldn't Murray take the pressure?

[imhotep]

I agree with those comments chirpy.
I must admit Roddick's first serve was incredibly fast and so accurate.
I forget how many aces he landed.How he managed to still hit those aces in the fourth set I will never know.
He was really relentless against Murray.I felt a bit sorry for him when he lost.Though as you say he didn't play as well as he should have....

[chirpychirpy]

People are now saying Murray will win next year, but a few responses to that:
1) they said that in 2008 about 2009
2) Murray will be 23 next year, and most first-time Wimbledon champs are younger.
3) Murray's greatest rivals aren't suddenly going to be much older than him. Fed, for example will still only be 28. And Nadal much younger.

[craft1948]

I disagree...........Roddick's coach Larry Stefanki worked out an excellent game plan and Roddick executed it very well and it effectively neutralised Murray....I'll bet not many people can remember Roddick playing so many touch shots.
As for Roger......he is God's Gift....

[chirpychirpy]

I agree with your first point, craft. But Federer is getting way too smug these days. And he'll be smugger than ever by Sunday evening.

[imhotep]

As you say, Wimbledon means nothing to me either, now Murray is out of the tournament.
What a shame eh!!
Well,at least he made the semi final.That's a feat in itself.
Although,you never know,with Roddicks powerful serve he could well win the Championship.

The main question is......

Can anyone beat the top man Federer??
He seems to be impossible to beat.....

[imhotep]

Oh yes,have you noticed something about Andy Roddick?

He always tends to fiddle with his cap.Might be nerves perhaps......but it would be nice if he can win this Sunday.
Federer smug.......I should say!!!

[craft1948]

chirpy I would love a brit...any brit...to win Wimbledon, but if I could play like Roger I'd be well smug too. I love watching him play as he can improvise better than any player I can remember, and I've been following tennis for over 40 years. Having said that, as long as it's a good match I won't mind who wins on Sunday.

[chirpychirpy]

what's weird bout Roddick is how sweat pours off the peak of his cap. Never understood that. Imhotep, don't take this personally, but I believe saying 'at least he made the semi-finals' is part of our problem - Brits accept second-best all too easily. Murray must become a winner of the Grand slams or he'll end up another Henman.

[imhotep]

Too true chirpy.I couldn't agree more with you.
Let's hope that Murray will improve by next year.
He will succeed,I am fairly sure of it.....
I don't mind who wins either this Sunday.
All I can say is........



Let the best man win.

[paraffin]

Why the undercurrent of despondency? I, too, am really disappointed that Andy didn't make the final, but I'm as proud as punch of him and it took a herculean effort by Roddick to prevent him. Andy's still 6-3 up on head to head's.

He was 22 only last month, when he also became No3 in the world rankings. I believe he's still improving and I really don't think we'll see the best of him for 2-3 more years. And physically, he's still developing.

He has flown the British flag singlehandedly throughout the tournament and for one so young has handled the unrelenting pressure and glare of publicity immaculately.

We should celebrate his achievement for it is no mean feat to come within an ace (no pun) of the final of the greatest grass court tournament in the world.

For example, Tim Henman, our previous "great white hope" was nearly 24 before he reached his first Wimbledon semi and was almost 28 before achieving his highest world ranking of 4.

So let's put Andy's successes of the past 10 days in perspective. He may still be "in waiting", but I think he's a champion already.

[chirpychirpy]

Yes yes, parafin, Murray played and behaved superbly throughout (until nerves got the better of him in this match) -I've always been an admirer, not one of those idiots who objected to his soccer joke. But the fact remains he failed at the semi-final hurdle, meaning we STILL haven't had a Brit in the men's final for over 70 years. I really feel we must stop applauding failure and only accept victory - it's the only way to produce winners.

[Julnar]

I thought Roddick played extremely well and neutralised Murrays effectiveness. I was disappointed by Murrays inability to adapt his style to counter Roddicks play, but it was a very good match and we can hope for better luck next year.

[I.Don No]

I, too, really enjoyed the match and in the end the better player won, although AM did put up a really good effort.

I am almost able to put aside the comment he made a while ago about not supporting the England football team, but I found his conduct straight after the match extremely rude.

He left the court well before his opponent and his face looked like a trod on chip.

A little grace in defeat would not have gone amiss.

[paraffin]

I.DonNo:
I think it's a bit OTT of you to not only expect him to march off arm in arm with his opponent but also to look happy doing so.

He'd just missed out on the chance of being the first Brit male in this final for 71 years. And besides, he's not one of these smiley, smiley individuals anyway. You didn't see him grinning after each of his victories this past 10 days, did you? It's just the way he is. He always looks serious. So what?

It's all too easy for any of us sitting in our comfy armchair at home expecting impeccable manners and behaviour from someone whose adrenalin levels would still have been sky high and whose disappointment levels must have been in his boots.

So all this "it's just not cricket, old boy" attitude is out of order. I'll bet you'd have been all sweetness and light - not!

[rov1200]

Wimbledon shows again how stupid the seeding system is. How can a non seed get to the final? Its the same with the womens final. The top seed was obliterated.

Is it because certain players do not want to enter the cut and thrust of ordinary tournaments but save their energies for Wimbledon where there is greater prestige?

[Mampara]

Don't be too hard on Murray he'll be stronger because of this.

The big difference between Murray and Henman is that we expect Murray to win whereas we hoped that Henman would!

[ELVIS68]

Good but not good enough, I backed Roddick to beat Murray and also backed him to win the final, I got 5/2 for him to beat Murray and 14/1 for him to win the final, he`s 4/1 now so here`s hoping

If Murray is to win Wimbledon it won`t be for another few years yet

[I.Don No]

Paraffin....good manners cost nothing!

[paraffin]

I.Don.No:

And being smug and sanctimonious are very unattractive traits.