Andy Murray and Lewis Hamilton's popularity is on the slide

Other / David Croft / 22 February 2008 / Leave a Comment

The BBC's David Croft tells us why Andy Murray isn't on his Christmas card list and how Lewis Hamilton can make amends for his controversial move to live in Switzerland

It's not often I find myself making a comment half way through a sport but just a few days ago whilst presenting a midweek sports show on BBC London 94.9 I found myself doing just that. My colleague Andy Rowley was telling listeners across the capital that Andy Murray had just lost in the first round of a tournament in Rotterdam, to a man ranked number 94 and what a huge shock it was when I blurted out the word 'Good'. I just couldn't stop myself; shocking really and it did cause Andy to immediately stop what he was saying. At that point I should have apologized for my lack of control but when it comes to Britain's best, and let's face it only hope, of winning a Grand Slam I find I can't stop myself. You see I'm just not a fan.

It's not that Master Murray isn't a good tennis player, he is and Betfair's price of [11.5] for him to win the US Open and [18.5] to win Wimbledon reflects this, especially when you consider how short a price Roger Federer is to take these Grand Slams, at [2.02] and [1.82] respectively. Now Andy Murray has a fine knack for hitting a tennis ball over a net; it's just when it comes to life's niceties that he tends to struggle.

I remember interviewing him when he'd just appeared in his first ranking final and commenting that my kids both got up early to watch him which showed the sort of impact he was having on British tennis - it was early on a Sunday morning so the kids' dedication was impressive. I had to put it to Andy though that the overriding memory was of his constant swearing when losing a point and that it didn't look good to the watching public.

He does have a sulky demeanor on court as well in contrast to his British sporting peers. Look at how Amir Khan or Lewis Hamilton go about their business: polite, charming and smiling. Look at Andy's younger brother - without doubt the feel good story of last year's Wimbledon and who even has the confidence now to knock his older brother for pulling out of the recent Davis Cup tie.

Jamie had a point too; I still don't understand why Andy couldn't have played, let alone why the announcement had to come through his agent. I wonder how much that decision not to play for Britain will be mentioned during the year and how much Andy Murray will come to regret it.

The general public isn't fond of sporting stars who appear to be unpatriotic. Lewis Hamilton found that out when he announced his move to Switzerland. It didn't go down well and his reasons for moving just weren't accepted.

Had he admitted at the time the truth that it was for financial reasons, there may well have been no comeback, but the public felt a bit deceived and Lewis was criticized for it. As it is I'm sure that when the F1 season starts and he gets back to winning ways - he's [3.95] to take the title with Betfair - then the move to Switzerland will be forgotten.

After all, how many people care that Paula Radcliffe doesn't live in the UK anymore? I know I don't and her patriotism is never questioned. As for Lewis Hamilton's popularity, judging by the Betfair market on the 2008 Sports Personality of the Year, it hasn't been affected. Shrewd punters have Lewis at [4.3] with Andy Murray at [11.0] - odds that may overturn should Murray win a Grand Slam of course but even then without a charm offensive in the future, I fear his on court success won't be enough for him to win a place in the fans' hearts.