Andy's Brit Of Shame

Aug 17 2008 Gordon Waddell

ONCE again Andy Murray shows why he'll always struggle to win the hearts of a nation despite his status as a world great.

You could say his admission of a lack of professionalism after his Olympics exit was refreshingly honest. To me? It shamed him. Back to his whingeing worst.

Since he bagged Brad Gilbert he employs a team to look after his every need. Physios, coaches, nutritionists, trainers.

Yet he expects us to believe he didn't know he'd be dehydrated and out of sorts after flying halfway round the world? One look in the pocket in front of him on the flight and cartoons could have told him.

He played a singles match looking like he thought just turning up would be enough to win. He was worse in the doubles.

If victory in Cincinnati was more important to him, fine. He played magnificently and deserved it.

But don't then patronise British team-mates who have trained for years to get to the pinnacle of their sport in Beijing by saying, "Next time I'll actually try."

Bad enough he lets his team and country down. Worse, in my eyes, was letting his brother down.