Andy Murray goes on trial in Brit court

Jul 6 2008 Elaine C. Smith

IF I hear the words "dour Scot Andy Murray" once more I'll explode.

Andy is paying the price for once saying what most Scots would when asked who they were supporting in the World Cup - anyone but England. He was being funny, daft and he was only about 18.

But the London media use it to whip up anti-Scots feeling - and all because power no longer rests solely in the south.

I do not believe ordinary English people felt anti-Scottish sentiment when Andy played.

Ten million people cheered him on and he played heroically.

He may not be a grand slam winner yet but he has the talent to go all the way. Andy, forget the stupid people who don't warm to you because you don't smile all the time.

Tennis is a conservative sport, played and supported mainly by the middle and upper classes.

They hate anything different. They treated John McEnroe the same way but now love him.

Keep your belief and your arrogance - because you will need it to get you to the top.

Well done to Zheng Jie, the unseeded Chinese player who reached the semi-finals.

She did brilliantly and should get the title simply because she is donating all her winnings to the victims of the earthquake in China. A fabulous gesture.