Murray is on a roll

Not only does he thrash Nadal 6-4 6-3 but beats Federer in two sets to win for the second time in Canada.

With tennis like this -

Who needs football?

And the women are doing well to boot.

And not a stroke to be seen on tele -

.

Sports Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe is the embarrassing one.

He clearly has not been following the progress of tennis over the last year.

It is he and the ignorant British public that are letting the side down in putting phenomenal pressure on our tennis players particularly the women.

They are not 'underperforming' except at Wimbledon. Everywhere else in the world they have steadily been climbing up the rankings and Sutcliffe does not appear to know this. With the insensitive reception at Wimbledon, I wouldn't be surprised if some of them quit!


" 'Embarrassing' results must improve, says Sutcliffe

Sport England will later this year consider the future funding of grassroots tennis following government warnings that the sport could see a cut if more elite talent does not emerge.

The sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, said the Lawn Tennis Association should look to success stories in cycling, rowing and swimming for lessons on how to bring talent through the system. The familiar post mortem on British failings at Wimbledon, with nine of 11 players in the singles draws crashing out in the first round, was given added legs by Sutcliffe's suggestion that the LTA could see its funding cut if matters do not improve.

Sutcliffe said the failure is "embarrassing" but also sought to clarify his remarks"

Keothavong

This wonderful battler from London's East end is hitting out again!

I draw inspiration from people like this.

I'm impressed bythe statement:

"Keothavong does not have her coach with her in Warsaw, as she sometimes likes to have "anti-social" weeks when she does everything for herself."

I know the feeling!

Watching her hit the hell out of Venus Williams a while back showed (for a few points) what she is made of.

Forget Andrew Murray for a while and "watch this space". Here I predicted a Brit Woman in the top 30 by Wimbledon last August!

As her technique and canniness improves, so will her progress.

Pity her name isn't Smith and then we'd all be behind her. Bear in mind a bit of "foreign" blood does us good.

BNP take note - a lot of you owe your fighting spirit to foreigners - the Vikings, the Normans and now maybe the Poles - no idea what Anne's background is - does it matter.

Maybe some battlers will get into Parliament this next time round and stand up to "the System".

I'm meeting some equally inspirational people here in Ulverston.

Last night I was talking to someone who I felt was almost enjoying the challenge that life had thrown at her.

She was living life "on her own terms" and others had better work with her or else feel the brunt of her energy.

Not everyone makes the headlines.

Those that do often don't deserve it - it's amazing what papers can do to sell themselves.

I digress!