Murray's physique

***Warning - I can't be bothered to proof-read this so excuse any mistakes***

Everyone has started blogging again which makes for more interesting reading than just aimlessly surfing the web, so thanks to everyone who's updated! Rather than me commenting on every individual blog it's easier for me to put it on here instead - keep it up!

I want to touch on an issue that Daz raised in his latest post, which is the much-talked-about physique of Andy Murray. Ever since he did his bicep pose at Wimbledon, the media has been obsessed with his 'muscle-bound' body and even more so now that he's on a winning streak and favourite to win the Aussie Open. I have a number of points to make about this.

1. There are sportsmen out there with much better physiques than that
I'm not saying that Murray doesn't look in good shape at the moment. Yes he has a six-pack and a bit of muscle, looking very athletic all round. However, it is by no means special. I remember when the media used to worship the body of Nadal and that used to piss me off. But God, he deserves it so much more than Murray. I have so much respect for Nadal simply because he resists the urge to have a hit on the practice courts with his shirt off. For him, the sight of Murray doing this must be so annoying considering that Rafa's physique is probably a hundred times better. I also want to point out that Murray's physique looks very much like.... well, a tennis player's. I'm sure most of the other players on tour look like that, and if it's specifically the muscle which impresses the media then why don't they worship someone else? Countless sportsmen are more muscly (and leaner). Any number of rugby players. Sure, Murray's good form on the court means he deserves some space in the papers. But can we please have photos of the action, rather than of him striking idiotic poses with no shirt on.

2. Murray's marketing campaign
Why is there suddenly all this positive hype about Murray? Five minutes ago he was a really unpopular, stroppy, spoilt brat who publicly said he didn't want England to win the World Cup (even though it was the LTA that funded his development). How come the media now absolutely loves him? Well apparently he was SO unpopular at one point that people were starting to not even turn up to watch him play, and it dawned on the Murray camp that they needed to do something about his image. They embarked on an expensive publicty makeover which started off with getting rid of that moronic hair he once had. Then they taught him how to come across as less sulky and less of a tosser in interviews. It wouldn't surprise me if they told him to do a few arm curls and then strike a pose at Wimbledon to send the tabloids crazy.

3. When is the press going to turn?
It happens to every British sportsman at some point. The press big you up all the way, say you're going to be the best in the world and all that. Then comes the realisation that you're not, so it starts bashing you instead. For God's sake, this can't happen soon enough to Murray.

4. However...
I just want to say that I actually respect Murray for his successes on the court, and if he wins a Slam, good for him. I just sincerely hope he doesn't because I can't stomach this media hype as it is, let alone if he actually goes all the way.

5. The public perception of muscle
I could write a book on this. There's a boundary between being 'muscly' and 'too big' that, once crossed, leaves 90% of people thinking you look disgusting. Andy Murray's obviously struck the right chord with this one with the media whirlwind he's caused. However... he's just not really that muscly at all - am I the only one who thinks this? As I said above, there are many other sportsmen far more worthy of accolades for their physiques, but they will never get it just because they're not Britain's next hot tennis prospect.

5. Finally
What would the media do if Murray retired from tennis tomorrow and announced he was becoming a professional bodybuilder?