Jan Moir on Judy Murray, mother of Andrew

[MmeLindt]

the DM

Not sure what to think about this tbh. On the one hand she is "defending" Judy Murray, and yet at the same time Moir is so nasty about her:

"Even worse that all that, up there in the bleachers, usually skirling like a banshee, is his ever-present mother.

She, too, is a shouter, a grunter, a clenched-fist maker of horrid, gurning faces. She seems forever on the verge of conniptions; half-mad with grief or triumph, depending on her boy's results."

She states that Judy can do not right, that she is always portrayed as a pushy parent, which is something that I had not really seen her to be. Ambitious for her son, yes. Proud, absolutely.

And the statement that it is sexist to call her pushy, when fathers of tennis players are not criticised is simply ridiculous. One of the pushiest parents in tennis was Steffi Graff's father. And he was roundly criticised, in Germany anyway.

What do you think?

And what does "conniptions" mean?

GetOrfMoiLand, I have always admired your competiveness and am very glad that you also push your daughter. I know that you work in engineering, where the majority are men, so you are clearly competitive and have broken down barriers. One day we hope to have you join us Tory supporters and Daily Mail readers. Your mum's one of us, you know it makes sense

And look what's happened to Jennifer Capriati

What she is doing in the opening remarks is portraying the Murrays as others (naysayers and the meeja) see them - 'some continue to carp'.

She is saying that Andy is seen as 'too gingery' and Judy is likened to screaming like a banshee. She then goes on to say that this an unfair portayal.

Judy Murray is very interesting on the subject of pushy parents. She chaperones junior tennis girls to international tournaments and in her blog on the LTA website she is at times candid, and often downright rude in her judgement of pushy tennis parents.

I think part of the reason tennis parents come over as pushy is that when they play in tournaments, kids usually score themselves. You would never get that in a football or cricket match. There is always an umpire or ref.

So if you have a player who is perhaps a 'creative caller' or calls a serve out that was CLEARLY BLOODY IN and all your kid can do is say 'are you sure?' and then perhaps raise their racket only for the tournament umpire to amble over and say 'ok, play a let' or 'play from the last point' it takes all your will power not to leap onto that court and say to the cheater 'I"VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU!"

Most tennis parents keep counsel and say nothing, but there are a good few (usually the dads I have to say) who cannot help interfering.

The Murrays may not be the most glamorous or appealing sports stars, but you have to admire their hard work, talent and achievements.

Rafa Nadal can look pretty in post-match interview, lisping in charming broken English 'when I was little my dream was to win, not to lose' (yes, he really said that) and we all coo over his doe eyes and manly muscles.

I think the media - and punters - expect more from Murray because we think he owes us something for being British. Actually, he doesn't.

Lol at Claig - I really don't think I could come over to the dark side

Thanks for those kind words and apologies for calling you smug.

I just thought 'eh?!' when I read your post

(DD did say to me the other day - 'the tories are not as bad as we thought they would be, are they, mum?' )

Jan Moir has never written a nice word about anyone, I see her name and never read the article. She is vicious and I am surprised she still has a job!

Richard Williams has been criticised over the years for being an arrogant bully- he flaunted tournament rules in Wimbledon quite a few times.
In fact since his divorce from his wife (allegations of physical abuse) I don't remember seeing him courtside anymore.

As far as pushy dads go, the list is huge- Sharapova's dad (seen yelling at her during matches) Mary Pierce's dad (banned from attending her tournaments for quite a few years) Jelena Dokic's dad (arrested, estranged from his daughter).

There are no double standards Ms Moir- pushy parents are bad regardless of their gender.

anyone read andre aggassis' autobioography? talk about pushy parent.