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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be cynical by sudden turnabout in opinion of Murray

75 replies

middleclassdystopia · 09/07/2013 16:17

Funny how now that Murray is a winner, the tide of negative opinion has changed.

I have heard mainly nasty comments about him over the years, when he was just a young lad.

Also sick of people suggesting his supposedly dour nature is a widespread Scottish attribute. It's just downright xenophobic.

I always supported him, especially given he was a survivor of the Dunblane Massacre.

I think the glory hunters can go jump

OP posts:

ZZZenagain · 09/07/2013 17:36

I never had anything against him but then I am old enough for him to be a young lad for me. Being abroad I suppose I didn't pick up on all the negative reporting. He seemed nice enough to me whenever I saw him interviewed.

Absolutmum · 09/07/2013 17:39

I don't understand all the fuss. It's only a game and he one man who can play it well.
There are so many people who quietly get on with their useful jobs and get paid very little.

LAlady · 09/07/2013 17:41

After watching the BBC documentary last night, my opinion of him has changed. He came across as a very likeable individual. Would agree with someone above, any doubters should watch this.

Bowlersarm · 09/07/2013 17:48

I think he has changed in the way he is coming across. I haven't particularly like him in the past, and couldn't really have cared a less whether he won or not.

Since he won the Olympics he bizarrely seems a bit more humble and personable,mand I do like him more now. So I am glad he won this year, after not caring in the past.

So therefore, YABU, to expect people in the past not to have liked him, not to change their opinion about him.

Of course few of us actually know him. It's just his public persona we see.

Anthracite · 09/07/2013 17:50

I've always loved him - no turnabout here

NoComet · 09/07/2013 17:54

Justfornow hits the nail on the head for me

"The way is on court has changed"

He use to hit his racquet in frustration such that his had bleed and he was very moody. He's learnt to control his emotions better. He's also got a lot fitter.

In short he's grown up and shown the world it's not just his Mum's dream, it's his dream to be a champion too.

Bartoli has done exactly the same too.

Most of us do our growing up at school, at university and in our first job with a line manager who's seen it all before.

At 19 I was making a pigs ear of the wrong degree course, Laura Robsons on the front page of the paper.

thefirstmrsrochester · 09/07/2013 17:56

I think unless you followed his career (or are from Scotland) all you got was what you saw on the court or post match interviews.
It was the proudest day (after arguably the birth of the DC) of DH life when he won, I couldn't be happier for his win.
He is a lovely bloke and I'm glad he has been taken to the heart of the nation.

BMW6 · 09/07/2013 18:41

Still not a "fan" of his but since losing Wimbledon last year he seems to have improved his on-court temperament considerably - is less hissy fitty, more determination in adversity IFKWIM.

I suspect Lendl has had a lot to do with the attitude change - and of course, just plain maturity.

Wholetthedogin · 09/07/2013 18:56

I'm Scottish and yes I'm dour.

Aren't we all growing and changing as we live and breath? I change my mind about people all the time as I get to know them better and see different sides to their character.

My opinions on Andy have changed greatly since his first few years on the circuit when he was very aggressive and vocal with his disappointments.

I still think Nadal is the better looking by far!

TidyDancer · 09/07/2013 19:01

I couldn't stand him before he won and I can't stand him now.

HTH.

maillotjaune · 09/07/2013 19:14

I have always really liked him but LOVED Lendl in the 80s!

I work with a few people who took great offence at his comments about things like not supporting England. That was the norm when I was growing up (in London but Scottish /Irish parents and most of my friends were the same). They are obviously struggling to like him still so I don't see much glory hunting then.

123oap · 09/07/2013 19:18

I agree - all the Murray bashers I know were delighted he won. I am not so fickle....

BeanoNoir · 09/07/2013 19:20

I think he does seem to have changed/matured as to how he presents himself in front of the cameras. Plus the more coverage he gets, the more different sides people get to see of him. I think people are allowed to change their minds/opinion about someone as they learn more about them and as that person gets older.

EstelleGetty · 09/07/2013 19:52

There ain't nothin' wrong with being dour, everybody's a lil bit dour! In Scotland. I don't mind us being seen as a dour nation, I don't think it's xenophobic. It's all part of our gallows humour and general no shite attitude to life! We may not be jolly hockey sticks but we still have a good laugh.

flippinada · 09/07/2013 19:57

I always liked him and am chuffed to bits that he won.

He comes across as an actual person who happens to be famous cos he's outstandingly good at his chosen sport (even someone who dislikes him couldn't argue with that).

In these days of shallower than a puddle of shit celebrities it's actually refreshing to see someone who is famous for something worthwhile and doesn't ooze smarminess and superficial charm.

Plus, I'd hate to be judged forever and ever amen on some throwaway comment I made when I was 19 or so.

flippinada · 09/07/2013 19:59

I know what you mean Estelle. Nowt wrong with a wee bit of dour.

HuglessDouglas · 09/07/2013 20:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thefirstmrsrochester · 09/07/2013 20:20

Estelle I could not agree more.

crashdoll · 09/07/2013 20:47

I'm not a big fan of him as a person but massive props to him, he is an exceptional tennis player. :)

EstelleGetty · 09/07/2013 20:54

It's funny, my dad wrote a book on Glaswegian dialect and I gave a copy to a foreign friend recently. She was astonished by how many of the words listed were exclamations of displeasure! Wha's like us, eh?

Sparklingbrook · 09/07/2013 20:55

I like my sportsmen to have a bit of charisma for us to see. All this 'he's very jovial and hilarious in private' is a bit disappointing.

Remember Nigel Mansell and Steve 'interesting' Davis? Yawn. Ooh and Tim Henman.

flippinada · 09/07/2013 21:05

I always thought sports personality was an oxymoron myself.

Still like Mr M though. He's just not the sparkly type is he? Nothing wrong with that.

LifeofPo · 09/07/2013 21:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sparklingbrook · 09/07/2013 21:10

He relies on people wanting to watch him play his amazing tennis though. So being likeable is an advantage,

JADS · 09/07/2013 21:14

I think Andy Murray is actually quite a laugh. Poor bloke tried to make a joke years ago and got slammed (geddit!) for it. Ernest Gulbis made a point saying that all the top players give really boring interviews then went out next game. You can't win!

Well done Andy - always liked him but never thought hewould win Wimbledon as there's so much pressure on him plus he's better on hard courts.

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