Sport magazine issue 313 by Sport Magazine

Issue 313 | July 12 2013

Game. Set. Match. History.

Contents

Issue 313, July 12 2013 Radar 05 Modern art

Fantasista, the London exhibition of football-related art. This is very much the modern game

06 Cricket reads A whole glut of books have been released ahead of the Ashes. We pick out our favourites

08 Flashback Fifteen years ago, France won the World Cup final. Frank Leboeuf recalls the night of his life oFeatures this coming week

Andy Murray A British man wins Wimbledon. This appears to be rather big news. Who knew, eh?

Adam Scott The Masters champ has unfinished business at the Open Championship: and he can’t wait to get started

26 Shane Warne The Ashes has started, but even we wish the greatest spin bowler of the lot was playing

30 Tommy Bowe’s diary

The Lions winger looks back on a momentous victory – and some momentous celebrating

34 Aaron Cook

He’s back – competing for the Isle of Man with a point to prove after Team GB shunned him for the Olympics

Extra Time 40 Kit Ahead of the Open, some of the best new putters out there, in here

42 Entertainment Monsters on the loose, plus Jay-Z and Richard Rogers. Eclectic

46 Grooming Includes a new aftershave from Becks himself. Effervescent | July 12 2013 | 03

Radar

p06 – Book yourself in for a summer of cricket tomes

p08– Flashback: Leboeuf lifts the World Cup. Il ne regrette rien

A beautiful game

| July 12 2013 | 05

Zoran Luci: work courtesy of Sergeant Paper Art Store

n the bad old pre-Premier League era, football fans used to express themselves by penning clever chants and writing fanzines. Those days are long gone, but there’s been an explosion in footballrelated art in recent years, as post-gentrification fans show their love for the beautiful game in a new, wall-mountable manner. Fantasista is a new free exhibition taking place in London this week that brings together the best of football art, with photos, illustrations, videos, and modern-artstyle installations, like a dissected Neil Ruddock in a tank of formaldehyde. Fantasista, 11-14 July at The Cello Factory, 33-34 Cornwall Road, SE1 8TJ

Radar

SLOW BURNERS 1

ittingly, for a series famously spawned by a satirical article in a newspaper, there have been some fine words written about the Ashes in this bumper 10-Test year. We’ve picked out four of the best, so you can brush up on your England v Australia history between overs. All prices from amazon.co.uk

CRiCkET: a mOdERN aNThOLOgy, COmpiLEd By jONaThaN agNEW, £16 A collection of essays and extracts from across the years, Agnew’s anthology is not focused solely on the Ashes, but there is some interesting insight from Donald Bradman, and contributions from Richie Benaud and Matthew Hayden.

2 CRiCkET’S gREaTEST RivaLRy, SimON hUghES, £12.15 Hopefully this book will need updating by the end of the year, because it’s a collection of some of the most pivotal matches in Ashes history. Penned by Test Match Special’s analyst Simon Hughes, it covers 10 select Tests in fabulous detail, from the series that spawned the Ashes in 1882 up to the Aussie win in Adelaide in 2006.

3 BRadmaN’S WaR, maLCOLm kNOx, £12.80 In 1948, players who had been brothers during the war contested a distinctly unfraternal Ashes series. Knox focuses on Aussie captain Donald Bradman, who wanted his side to grind England ‘into the dust’. They did just that, although Bradman himself was famously dismissed for a duck in his final Test: stranded forever on an average of 99.94.

4 SkiRTiNg ThE BOUNdaRy, iSaBELLE dUNCaN, £13.59 This period of English Ashes success has been matched by the women’s side, who ended a 42-year drought in 2005 and have barely looked back since. Duncan’s fascinating book tells the history of women’s cricket, from 18th century beginnings in rural villages to the global game encompassing World Cups and, of course, the Women’s Ashes – which begins in August.

Trouble free scores 06 | July 12 2013 |

f you want your ball-by-ball coverage on this summer’s sweltering commute to extend beyond the word ‘sweaty’, Sky Sports’ updated app is what you need. A new section has been added especially for the Ashes, so you know it’s a pretty big deal. As well as keeping you up to date with the scores, the app can act as a

handy second screen (or third, if you’re watching it at work) with access to the same tools that the jokers in the commentary box have, including Hawk-Eye and live player statistics. It’s a genuinely brilliant way to get a deeper insight into the Ashes as they unfold this summer. Free on iOS for Sky Sports subscribers, or £4.99/month

Radar

One year to go The World Cup final in Rio is one year tomorrow, and there are plenty of matters to be settled before then July 19 Ticket details unveiled – pushed back from July 1 because of either logistical issues (according to FIFA) or massive riots. august 20 Tickets planned to go on sale, with approximately 3.3 million expected to be available, although roughly 3.2 million of those will go to corporate sponsors (probably). septembeR 6-10 South and North/Central American, and of course, European qualification chugs along, with England welcoming Moldova (Sept 6) and visiting the Ukraine (Sept 10). Elsewhere, the final round of group games in Africa will decide which 10 teams make it to the continental play-offs, while Jordan play Uzbekistan twice to determine Asia’s intercontinental play-off representative. octobeR 11-15 England play Montenegro (Oct 11) and Poland (Oct 15) to decide their fate – the group winners in Europe will qualify directly, with the best eight runners up going into seeded play-offs. Final group games in North/Central and South America will settle three and four places respectively, with the next-best teams going into intercontinental play-offs.

Fifteen years ago today, France stunned Brazil at the Stade de France, winning 3-0 with a headed brace from Zinedine Zidane. We asked French centre-back Frank Leboeuf to reminisce. the build-up “When we saw the semi final – Brazil v Holland – we were happy to play against Brazil because we thought that during that World Cup Holland were actually better than Brazil. We were very optimistic, because we felt that we were becoming stronger and stronger – in that competition we felt almost invincible. We had the support of our home fans for the first time, and we had the spirit inside the squad.” Reining in Ronaldo Brazil’s star striker Ronaldo suffered a fit before the game, and there were doubts over his participation. “I knew that, if Ronaldo was playing, I would be in charge of taking care of him. At the end of the day I thought: ‘Well, if it’s not him, it’s going to be Rivaldo or Bebeto.’ They were all absolutely fantastic players. Anyway – he played – he played well, I think. He had a

08 | July 12 2013 |

France win the 1998 World Cup final little problem the night before, but for me he looked good. He was still Ronaldo with his strength and his appetite for football.” losing lauRent Leboeuf’s defensive partner Laurent Blanc was suspended for the final for a ‘headbutt’ on Slaven Bilic. “I wasn’t questioning myself about whether it would be harder [without Blanc]. The press did, but I was very confident about my football and about my teammates. It was my 16th cap, and I’d been with the national team for three years. In the final, I played with Marcel Desailly, who I’d known for a long time.” the afteRmath “It was absolutely fantastic. It changed our status in France – we became heroes. We did what our heroes at the time, our idols like Michel Platini, Jean Tigana and others couldn’t do. We had a perfect harmony for like two, three months – we didn’t change the world, you know, but we had a fantastic summer. What I like about it is that, 15 years later, fans on the street thank us for what we did. They don’t say: ‘Well done.’ They say: ‘Thank you,’ because they too had a beautiful summer.”

novembeR 15-19 The final places will be decided with both legs of the play-offs in Europe (four places) and the second legs in Africa (five places), plus pairs of intercontinental games between Uzbekistan/ Jordan and South America’s fifth best team, and New Zealand against North America's fourth best. decembeR 6 The World Cup draw, with a needlessly drawnout pre-amble heavily featuring Pele. June 12, 2014 Confederations Cup champions Brazil kick off the group stage in Sao Paulo with the “hopes of a nation resting on their shoulders”, and other Tyldesley-isms. June 28, 2014 Start of the knockout stages. England fans: book your return flights for around now. July 13, 2014 The World Cup final kicks off in Rio at 8pm UK time.

Clive Brunskill /Allsport, Geoff Caddick/AFP/Getty Images

<<FLASHBACK<<

July 12, 1998

octobeR 21 The draw for the European play-offs – which could well involve England – the eight group runners-up seeded according to the October FIFA World Rankings.

Radar Opinion

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Commercial

Right to the top Where does Andy Murray’s exceptional performance put him in our all-time sporting list?

P Publisher Simon Caney @simoncaney

In that last game, as he lost championship point after championship point, and faced break point after break point, I was convinced Novak Djokovic was going to win the set, break Murray’s heart in the process and win the remaining two sets. Maybe it’s just an in-built defence mechanism after a lifetime of watching British tennis. Anyway, it won’t have escaped your notice that the above didn’t happen and Murray, a British tennis player of some repute, won Wimbledon. And to do so, he had to battle through the hellish scenario I’ve just described. Quite how you even get racket on ball in those circumstances, let alone do what Murray did, I’m not sure, but he proved himself a brilliant, inspirational champion. I got to thinking where he stands in our all-time list of sporting heroes. And, by ending 77 years of hurt, he’s somewhere near the very top. True, that wait was nothing to do with him, but even so, the very fact that the last Brit to win the men’s singles title at Wimbledon was not Fred

Perry is something of a relief. And, if you go through sport by sport, not many can match Murray for exciting and inspiring a nation: Bobby Moore, Ian Botham, Nick Faldo, the Super Saturday protagonists... who else makes your list? And nobody say Bob Nudd.

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I love the Sports Personality of the Year award, but it is danger of eating itself. No sooner had Andy Murray won Wimbledon than we heard his odds to win SPOTY, which somehow now seems more important than the thing he’d won in the first place. Also, SPOTY was a whole lot more interesting when we had nobody to pick from other than Damon Hill and Greg Rusedski. It was proper guesswork just to get a shortlist. Is Andy Murray’s achievement greater than Justin Rose’s, though? It starts to make my head hurt just thinking about it. Bring back Damon Hill.

Hearty thanks to: Daisy Bannerman, Lauren Kilgannon, Alison Hackney, Nicky Higgs, Katie Jorgensen, Ben Goldhagen, Matt Gentry, Ryan Constable

It seems as if the Lions’ win in Sydney was light years ago, but it’s worth just reflecting on what an achievement that was, too. Coach Warren Gatland, slated for dropping Brian O’Driscoll, was vindicated. Hey, that’s the SPOTY team of the year sorted! Note to self: shut up.

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erhaps I just can’t get used to the idea that we have our very own world-class tennis player, but it was only when Andy Murray had won Wimbledon that I thought he was going to win it, if you get my drift.

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Radar Opinion

What happens next?

eptember could signal a real comedown for British sports lovers. The Lions victory will be a fading memory, Andy Murray will be banging balls around elsewhere and looking all re-focused, and the first Ashes series, one way or another, will be all wrapped up. Hopefully Chris Froome will have won the Tour de France, too. But what else will there possibly be to look forward to? Hull v Palace is right up there, I’ll grant you, but Murray v Djokovic it ain’t. So, sports fans, we need to revel in the here and now. Only total, continued immersion in the various sports channels will help us, and we can just deal with the post-everything depression when it comes. Some call it denial – I call it living for today. The Ashes has rather a lot to live up to this time around. If we squash the Aussies, I might switch holiday destinations from Luton to Sydney, have my biceps and chest tattooed with British bulldogs and boxing gloves (never understood how these two go hand-in-hand but, having been raised on the nail-hard streets of Maidstone in Kent, I can assure you they do), and I might spend a fortnight strutting around topless while swigging lager from the can. I’ve never much been into the whole bragging rights thing, but a summer of sporting domination needs celebrating. So, when it all dies down and Arsenal games are all we’ve got to look forward to, I think we should

12 | July 12 2013 |

have a party. It needs a theme, a dress code and a venue, but surely Lord Coe can have a word. The reason I think we need to celebrate, and that I predict a dose of depression to kick in, is a little bit British. No matter how much we win and how often, I just really struggle to see it continuing. Maybe it’s to do with an inherent national modesty, or maybe I’m just a negative old git. But I just won’t take all the blame, because I think this attitude is banged into us at times. Earlier this week, I heard a radio interview with a lovely, reasoned and gleeful chap from the Lawn Tennis Association. The chat started out as a jovial, Murray-themed glow fest, but quickly became a proper grilling. He was asked how – seeing as Murray moved to train in Spain as a young man – the LTA could take any credit as “they didn’t do it” (not that he was claiming any). It was all a bit confrontational and, well, British, in the end. Can’t we just bask in the glory that abounds? Sport in Britain is going pretty darn well, so let’s dine out on it for a while. Okay, so our national football team is now below the Ivory Coast in the world rankings. But hey, as soon as they realise that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain needs to start and finish every game, we won’t ever lose again. It’s time to take over the world, and aggressive tattoos are a good place to start. @davidflatman

It’s like this… Bill Borrows

nough is enough. No more winning stuff. I realise that, at the time of writing, Chris Froome retains the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France and that the Ashes will probably be a whitewash. And, on the back of the first Test series win in India since Frank Lampard was a kid (really), it will be the third successive Ashes series victory against the Aussies. But after that, no more. The Olympics was bad enough, but this is just “All I’m saying is that getting ridiculous next year is a World – we have always excelled at losing Cup year and, should England qualify, in the most disappointing you’d be best advised fashion possible: to manage your dashing hopes, breaking hearts, expectations sooner rather than later” having our collective failure rammed down our throats – particularly by the former colonials, who now seem so thin on the ground. Just when you need a pub full of Aussies to taunt, can you find one? They’ve all gone walkabout. Imagine if you had the most blinding Friday night out (and I’m aware that I’m straying into Ian Holloway territory here), woke up with a Victoria’s Secret model and no hangover and then, while she was cooking you breakfast in her work clothes, an old mate pitched up with money burning a hole in his pocket and tickets and VIP passes for Ibiza. You with me so far? And this keeps going on. Marvellous happenstance (City winning the league) after incredible occurrence (the Ryder Cup) in an orgy of jaw-dropping where-wereyou-moments. But all the time, like… like when you think you might just fart with explosive joy at the sheer brilliance of everything, is a little voice at the back of your mind telling you that you’ll probably follow-through. All I’m saying is that next year is a World Cup year and, should England qualify, you’d be best advised to manage your expectations sooner rather than later. Start the comedown now. @billborrows

Plank of the Week David Cameron (Downing St) I can deal with Bradley Cooper and Gerald Butler at Wimbledon; I can just about stomach the Rooneys sitting there (after all, they are probably househunting in the area) and even – at a stretch – both Tana Ramsey and Posh pouting and waiting for half-time. But David Cameron sitting in one of the best seats in SW19 with his huge, smug, sweaty forehead? Unacceptable.

Frozen in time

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Got it in one For three hours and nine minutes, he gave his all; sweltering in temperatures reaching 40 degrees at court level to produce the goods. And then finally, at around 5.30pm on Sunday afternoon, it was his â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an image of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wimbledon champion that encapsulated the sheer, bloody-minded determination that won him the biggest match of his life. Well done, picture man. Well done. 14 | July 12 2013 |

| 15

Andy Murray

Mission accomplished At his eighth attempt, Andy Murray made his Wimbledon dream come true. Join Sport as we delve into our Murray archives to recall exactly how he made it to that momentous moment at 5.25pm on Sunday July 7, 2013...

16 | July 12 2013 |

26 SAILING

BOXING

Amelie Mauresmo: America’s Cup defending champ reaches a climax

KITESURFING

Hatton gears up to British three-time take US by storm world champion

Issue 35: June 22 2007

Sport’s first ever Murray cover feature comes at a time when the 20-year-old is struggling with a wrist injury that’s threatening his Wimbledon participation.* But he puts on a brave face to tell us what separates the good players from the great ones.

June 22 2007

FOOTBALL

RUGBY UNION EXTREME

Man Utd’s rock, Nemanja Vidic

Heineken Cup starts here!

Bull riding – it’s quite astonishing

Issue 52: November 9 2007 The Murray brothers speak to Sport

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

THE MURRAY BROTHERS

Which of you was the naughty one when you were kids? Jamie: “Andy.” Andy: “I liked getting into trouble at school, although I never got suspended or anything. I just used to knock on

HATS, GIRLS AND LIFE ON TOUR TOGETHER

Issue # 52 November 9 2007

Brian O’Driscoll Lions interview

30 Silverstone’s ﬁnal race

36 ATHLETICS

David Gower looks European Team back at 1985 Championships

WIN

MURRAY SIGNED

27 38

RUGBY LEAGUE MOTOGP

A day in the life of Jorge Lorenzo

FOOTBALL

A tough weekend ahead for some...

46 PROFILE

The delightful Nives Celzijus

With Murray having just become the first British winner of Queen’s in 71 years – and doing so without dropping a single set – hopes are high that this could be his year at SW19, too. “I’ve thought about winning Wimbledon and other Grand Slams, but it’s almost

33 CHOKERS!

The 10 biggest bottlers in sport

MOTOCROSS

FOOTBALL

Freestyle whizz Chris Birch

Big talents, big hair

Andy and Jamie Murray are fast becoming Britain’s favourite sporting siblings, yet we know but little of their boyhood days. Sport was summoned to a school meeting to find out more... It’s back to the playground for Sport today, as we are sent scurrying off to a Surrey primary school where the Murray brothers are causing trouble, just like the old days. It’s not so different to the Sport office, really. The people may be slightly smaller and less hairy but, aside from that, there are balls whizzing about and girlish yelps to be heard for miles. The headmistress has promised to restrain the overexcited little scamps when the Scottish siblings appear, but there have clearly been one too many turkey twizzlers gobbled up for lunch – the energy these kids possess is seemingly boundless. As it turns out, in fact, they are simply eager to get their clammy little hands on the pile of goodies that is strategically positioned on the wooden bench opposite Sport’s instructed waiting place. What goodies, you ask? Balls. Piles of them. All waiting to be signed by Andy and Jamie before being dished out to these feverish kids, and presumably some form of pay-off for not trampling over the headmistress in a crazed attempt to reach their tennis idols. And yet, when the six-foot-plus brothers finally emerge, side by side, from one of the mobile classrooms stationed in the playground, the children are strangely silent – no clapping or cheering, just wide eyes and open mouths. Marvellous, peace and quiet – except for Andy and Jamie Murray that is, who are enjoying each other’s company so much that they break off from conversation just long enough to shake Sport’s own clammy little hand. And then, of course, there is that pile of balls to be dealt with...

ANDY & JAMIE MURRAY

BROTHERS GRIM?

Ahem! Sorry to interrupt, gents. You obviously get on well now, but what about when you were kids? Andy “We used to argue a lot over computer games – what was it?” Jamie “Nintendo.” AM “It was normally a football game like Pro Evo, and around that age we’d also argue about tennis a little bit – you know, over who was better. I don’t think we were that terrible, though. We were quite bad when we were younger, but when we got to about 13 we stopped arguing as much. We were travelling a lot by then, and not seeing each other so often. When we did, it was like...” JM “Precious time... oh God, don’t put that though!” Sorry Jamie, Sport tells all. So you argued about tennis, but are you competitive off the court, too? JM “For sure, I don’t like to lose to him at golf – not that it ever happens.” [Smiles smugly] AM “Who won the last time we played?” JM “Well I play off three, so it would be a bit difﬁcult.” AM “I never play golf, but if I did play a lot I would beat him. I have a better swing than him, for a start.” JM “He’s good, he is, don’t get me wrong. But he’s just not that good – not at my level, anyway.” Tell us something about the other one we don’t already know – something only a brother could or would know... AM [Without hesitation] “He owns a frilby hat.” JM “You mean a trilby hat?” AM “Right, yeah, a trilby – with a purple shirt and a purple waistcoat.”

WEBLINKS www.andymurray.com, www.rbssport.com

NOVEMBER 9 2007

Murray heads to the US Open without a coach (having split with Miles Maclagan weeks earlier), so Sport asks what any potential new coach could expect when they take on the British number one:

Team-by-team transfer guide

WHAT IS STOPPING ANDY MURRAY? WITH WIMBLEDON LOOMING ON THE NATION’S SPORTING HORIZON, THE EXPERTS TELL US WHY HE IS STILL TO WIN A GRAND SLAM

June 17 2011 Issue 212

Everyone’s been waiting so long for a British winner... I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like if I won.”

It’s something that you need in an individual sport, and I think all coaches in tennis understand that. But the most important thing is to have a strong work ethic – then it’s up to the coach to get the best out of you, to make sure you’re in the right atmosphere to train hard and practise properly.”

INTERVIEW TENNIS

The ex ﬁles: Murray and coach Miles Maclagan (right) split after a two-and-a-half year partnership

JULIAN FINNEY/GETTY IMAGES. HOWARD BINGHAM

29 The gritty tale of David Millar

like the closer you get to a tournament, the less you think about winning it. It’s when you’re training that you sometimes use those thoughts as motivation, but once the tournament gets close I start to focus on the first match rather than looking too far ahead. Is it an exciting thought? Sure, it would be huge news.

Issue 174: August 27 2010

“I think top players in any sport can be quite stubborn, and I’m no different. CYCLING

The brothers playing together in the doubles at the Masters Series event at Monte Carlo

Issue 116: June 19 2009

34 CRICKET

GRAND SLAM TENNIS

It’s Challenge Cup ﬁnal weekend

22 INTERVIEW TENNIS

people’s doors and run away – that sort of stuff.” JM: “And throw eggs at Halloween, although everyone does that, right? AM: “I don’t knock on people’s doors any more; Jamie still does, though...” JM: “Only on your door, for a room for the night!”

AUGUST 27 2010

So, with just days to go until the start of the tennis season’s final Grand Slam – the US Open – the world number four and Britain’s numberone tennis player is without a coach. Andy Murray is flying solo on a wing and a prayer, with no leader, no guide and, well, perhaps no need for one. The Scot won his first title of the season earlier this month, beating Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer en route, so perhaps this coach-free existence is the way forward; a free and easy route to the Grand Slam glory Murray is yet to experience? “Being without a coach is nice in some ways,” Murray admits when Sport collars him for a pre-US Open chat in Cincinnati. “But I wouldn’t like to go for a whole year without one.” Even so, the 23-year-old is in no hurry to appoint a successor to Miles Maclagan, his now former coach and ‘master tactician’ of the past two and a half years. Murray will arrive in New York this weekend with his own game plan, then. But no coach is no problem, he insists, even at one of the most important tournaments of the year...

Andy, how big an issue is it to not have a coach beside you – especially going into a Grand Slam? “It’s different and in some ways it’s nice, because when you’ve been working with someone for a long time it’s good to have a little bit more freedom and be a bit more relaxed. Sometimes it’s what you need, a bit of time on your own. But I wouldn’t like to be without a coach permanently, or go for a whole year without one, so I will need somebody to come in again.” So what happens if, at the US Open, you start to struggle with your game? How will you handle that? “It’ll be the same as always because, whether you have a coach or not, when you’re on the court you’re responsible. Tennis is probably the most individual sport there is because no one can help you. You can’t get your coach on for advice or have someone radioing you to tell you what you should and shouldn’t do. You’re out there alone and you have to make the decisions yourself – coach or no coach.”

W W W. S P O R T - M A G A Z I N E . C O . U K

Issue 212: June 17 2011 Murray’s Grand Slam final record reads: played three; won not one set. Sport asks the experts how he can take the final, toughest step to Grand Slam glory... Boris Becker: “He has the talent and the quality to be a Grand Slam champion, but maybe at the moment he’s lacking a little

bit of maturity. It wouldn’t hurt Murray to be involved with someone that is a bit more experienced than any of his team... just having somebody around who has won Grand Slams before.” Roberto Forzoni (sports psychologist, formerly to Murray and the LTA):

“I don’t think Murray appreciates how much he needs to work on the mental side of his game. Because Murray was so talented as a junior, he didn’t have to compete on the mental side when he was growing up. And because of that lack of competition, there’s a lack of mental strength development.”

Issue 253: April 27 2012

Issue 253 | April 27 2012

LET’S GO TO WORK

Ahead of the biggest summer of his career, Murray ponders how an Olympic gold medal would measure up to a Grand Slam title...

Andy Murray sets his sights on a summer of glory and gold

“Now, honestly, I think it’s up there. All the players I’ve spoken to are really pumped about it. Even at the last Issue 309 | June 14 2013

Phase two Andy Murray talks exclusively to Sport about the next chapter in his Grand Slam-winning career

Olympics, the guys who lost in the semis but won bronze medals in Beijing were ecstatic. You could see from the celebrations they had, it was huge...If I reach a Slam final this year and lose, a lot of people will say to me: ‘Oh, that’s no good, you need to win it.’ But if I win a silver medal at the Olympics, then

Issue 309: June 14 2013 Now a Grand Slam winner (at the 2012 US Open) and Olympic champion, Murray talks about entering the second chapter of his career... “Now I’ve done it, I can move on. Ivan [Lendl, Murray’s coach] has helped with keeping me focused and not letting my

everyone will celebrate that. So that’s where there’s a bit of inconsistency, because a silver medal at the Games is hugely celebrated – I think – whereas the final of a Slam is sort of viewed as not quite being good enough.”

Andy Murray

mind drift and think that [winning the US Open] is what I was here to do. It’s important to reset your goals. Before, I just wanted to win a Grand Slam, I didn’t care which one it was... now it’s easier to start prioritising individual tournaments.” >

“I just wAnted to wIn A grAnd slAm. I dIdn’t cAre whIch one It wAs. I just wAnted to wIn one”

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RUGBY UNION FORMULA 1

*Three days after Sport hits the streets, a dejected Murray announces: “The doctor has advised me not to play.” We admit no responsibility.

Ahead of his return to Wimbledon, Andy Murray speaks exclusively to Sport about his momentous year, injuries, and why it always pays to keep your eye on the ball

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28 CRICKET

Monty Panesar interviewed

or 50 in the world, and you think: ‘But that second guy looks like a better player.’ The difference is in the mental strength.”

“My coach in Spain [Murray attended the Sánchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona at 15], told me tennis was 60 per cent mental, 20 per cent this [gently pounds his heart] and then the last 20 per cent in your legs. And it’s all just so true. You look at the guys at the top of their game, and then you look at someone ranked 40

MICHAEL STEELE / GETTY IMAGES. LIONEL CIRONNEAU / AP / PA PHOTOS

24 TENNIS

ndy Murray is reflecting on the first phase of his career as a professional tennis player – the phase that came to an end at 2.05am on September 10 2012, when an overhit Novak Djokovic return handed the Scot the maiden Grand Slam title he’d spent more than a decade working towards. Sinking to his haunches, Murray’s hands covered his mouth as he struggled to absorb the enormity of what he had achieved. That momentous New York night feels like it was longer than nine months ago when Sport sits down with Murray beside the centre court at Queen’s Club – an arena that has brought him the only grass-court titles of his career so far (his Olympic gold aside). The US Open champion has just emerged from the players’ lounge, where he’s been glued to the final set of Rafael Nadal’s French Open semi-final win over Djokovic. The tournament is the first Slam Murray has missed in six years (he sat out Wimbledon in 2007 with a wrist injury), but the gruelling nature of the four-hour, 37-minute battle he’s just witnessed has proved his difficult decision to sit out the tournament was the right one.

“That sort of match is the reason why I wasn’t playing, because I wouldn’t have been able to compete at the level I’d want to compete at,” he explains. “My back just wasn’t good enough.” The injury was so bad that it forced Murray to retire from his second-round match at the Rome Masters in May, and he admits to fearing the worst as he departed the Italian capital. “My back had been bad the week before, in Madrid, but I just hoped that with a few days’ rest before Rome it would be okay,” he says. “After I pulled out, I was going to see back specialists, having scans and just getting a lot of different opinions from a lot of people. In your head, you do prepare yourself for really bad news.” Murray suffered from back spasms at a similar stage of last season, leading some to conclude the problem is aggravated by the switch in surfaces at the beginning of the clay-court campaign – thus something the 26-year-old might therefore have to manage for the remainder of his career. “All players have things they need to manage,” he continues. “Roger’s had back issues for a while and Rafa’s had problems with his knees. The game is so physical now that it’s almost impossible not to have >

| 17

Andy Murray Issue 313: July 12 2013

Issue 313 | July 12 2013

Game. Set. Match. History.

Well, actually, he’s in Kennington, south London, where his sponsor adidas is holding an event rewarding the first 100 people to show up with the chance to ‘Hit the Winner’ against the new Wimbledon champ. On minimal sleep (“an hour or so,” reveals Murray), the Brit reaches into his depleted energy stores to spend a few hours entertaining and indulging those who have queued up for hours to share a court with him – including the local vicar, Reverend Angus Aagaard and his dog, Rocky. Honestly. By the time Sport sits down with the 26-year-old to reflect on a victory that has rendered him a genuine British sporting hero, Murray’s eyes betray him: they’re glazed, dazed and staring out from a head that’s clearly struggling to take it all in. “I won Wimbledon yesterday,” he says, as if saying the words out loud will help his brain to absorb the enormity of what they actually mean. “It’s going to take a few days to get my head around it and understand the magnitude of what happened. At the moment it’s just a bit surreal. I mean, I know I won Wimbledon, but it’s much bigger than just that, I think.” The final itself was a viciously hot, gruelling affair. A straight sets win it might have been, but one featuring lengthy games and draining, 20-shot rallies that left both world number one Novak Djokovic and Murray drenched in sweat before spectators had reached the bottom of their first glass of Pimm’s. “It’s always been like that when I’ve played against him. We played for almost five hours in New York (in the US Open final), the match at the Australian Open (again, in the final) was close to four hours for four sets and then yesterday it took us three hours to play three sets. They’re always long matches, and long points against him. And you have to be prepared for that. “But neither of us were ready to play in that heat; it was so hot down on the court. It hadn’t been like that at all during the tournament or any of the weeks before, so it was a bit of a shock to the system.” The final game, in which Murray raced to a 40-0 lead, lost it and then faced three break points before ending the nation’s torment with his fourth match point, lasted for 12 minutes. It was, Murray said, “the toughest game I’ll play in my career. Ever.” But while he’s likely to see that winning moment over and over again in the coming weeks and months, he says most of the match will remain merely a memory for the time being: “I don’t like watching whole matches back, really. Although, the night before the final I did watch all of my match against Djokovic in the Olympics, just to get some tactics and put it in my head that I’d won against him on that court before. But I won’t watch the whole Wimbledon final back – not while I’m still playing.” So, will ending Britain’s 77-year wait for a homegrown male winner of its showpiece tennis tournament change the life of the world number two? “It depends how you look at it. In some ways it will change – I’m sure there’ll be a few more demands on my time and extra bits and pieces I have to do – but in terms of day-to-day living, I don’t see how it will. I still train with the same people, still have the same team and family and friends around me – so long as I can keep it like that, then I’ll be good.” And as far as his career goes, Murray is hoping not much will change there, either. Although he admits to “feeling fulfilled right now”, he’s quick to add: “I hope there’s still more to come. I hope this isn’t the end of my career because I think I’ve still got more that I can achieve. And I’ll keep working hard to try and do that.” Sarah Shephard @sarahsportmag

18 | July 12 2013 |

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“The toughest game I’ll play in my career. Ever.”

It’s the day after the most momentous three hours and nine minutes of his career so far, and Andy Murray is in dreamland...

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ADAM’S FAITH Adam Scott

After heartbreak in last year’s Open Championship, Adam Scott bounced back to win the Masters. Can he finally get his hands on the Claret Jug?

| July 12 2013 | 21

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dam Scott had no sooner slipped off his new Masters Green Jacket when his phone beeped. It was a text from his long-time friend and sparring partner Justin Rose – they were born two weeks apart, 33 years ago – congratulating him on landing that elusive first Major. Scott’s reply was succinct but heartfelt. “This is your time, this is our time, to win these tournaments,” he texted. Prescient words indeed: Rose landed his own Major two months later at the US Open. “He wrote me a nice message and was genuinely happy for me,” recalls Scott, whose response was typical of one of the most popular golfers on tour. A year ago, Scott came so close to winning the Open Championship. He had one hand on the Claret Jug at Royal Lytham, but bogeys on the four closing holes handed the title to Ernie Els. It was a very public collapse, yet somehow he came away stronger. He took the positives out of defeat and now can’t wait to tee it up at Muirfield next week. “This was always going to be my most exciting tournament, the most eagerly anticipated, of the year,” he says. ”I want the opportunity to get myself in that position again and actually finish the job this time. Last year, I accomplished a lot of what I wanted to. I proved to myself that my game can perform to that level on that kind of stage. But the real rewards, and the most satisfaction, are in winning. “In one way it will be hard to keep down the expectations of playing that great again, but there’s no reason why I shouldn’t. It’s a bit of unfinished business. I may have taken the positives out of last year, but there’s still that competitive side for anyone who won’t settle for less than a win.” Scott’s late charge to win the Masters in April summed up that desire, and now he has the monkey off his back – so many top players never win a Major. Is he more relaxed as he approaches Muirfield? >

Adam Scott

Major achievement: Bubba Watson presents Scott with the Green Jacket at Augusta in April

Course of dreams Scott heads to Muirfield excited not simply because of what happened last year. Muirfield holds a special place in his memory, despite his missed cut there in his only previous appearance – the Open in 2002. “When I saw we were going back to Muirfield this year, having only played there in 2002, I couldn’t wait. I have really great memories of the course in my mind. I think it’s the best course on the Open rota. I can’t tell you exactly why I think that; it’s just built up in the years since I was there last. I’ve played the other courses, but I’ve still always thought: ‘No, Muirfield is the best.’ “The course has some great attributes. It’s a bit different to other links courses. >

The ConTenders: The men who mighT aT muirfield Tiger Woods Okay, so we’re not exactly sticking our neck out here. Woods is world number one, the most in-form player of 2013 and a three-time Open champion who understands how to play links golf, and how to play it in all conditions. The biggest question mark is his fitness: a nagging elbow injury has played havoc with his preparation.

22 | July 12 2013 |

Sergio Garcia If it’s ball-striking you’re looking for, then look no further. Muirfield’s punitive rough means we could be in for similar conditions to those at Carnoustie in 2007, when Garcia led for 71 holes only to lose in a playoff to Padraig Harrington. If anything, he is a better player now, for he has seemingly got over his putting woes. It remains to be seen if he can keep his fiery temperament under control.

Justin Rose Can the Englishman win back-to-back Majors? The only thing stopping him might be the glare under which he suddenly finds himself, for Rose certainly has the game. But winning one Major is tough enough; to net two on the spin is practically unheard of. Still, it’s interesting that he’s the best bunker player on the PGA Tour this year; those deep traps at Muirfield will play their part. May well be in the mix.

Ernie Els Els is a double reigning champion, having won not only last year’s Open, but also the last Muirfield Open in 2002. The Big Easy plays links golf as well as anyone and is in terrific form, having finished fourth at the US Open before winning the BMW International Open in Germany. His career in Majors – four wins and no less than 30 top-10 finishes – stands up to close inspection. Won’t back away in a fight.

Angel Cabrera As a two-time Major champion already, Cabrera knows how to compete under pressure. In terms of natural ball-striking ability, the Argentinian is as good as they come. And his enormous length off the tee means that, even if he does land in the hay, he’ll have the power to still find the green. Needs to be on top form, but Cabrera is a big-time player.

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“This is our Time To bag our majors and beCome The players we’ve always wanTed To be”

“I don’t think the mindset really changes just because I’m a Major winner. I guess the confidence can grow, but things don’t really change, because the Masters isn’t the Open. It’s still a tournament I don’t have. There is a clear difference between them all, and – with what happened 12 months ago at Lytham – it doesn’t feel like the pressure is off. I still have something to prove at the other Majors.” It has been a long time coming for Scott, who burst on to the professional scene more than a decade ago. While he was soon a multiple winner in Europe and America, taking his game on to the very highest stage proved difficult. Much of that was down to one opponent: Tiger Woods. “I was in a group of guys – I include Justin, Sergio [Garcia], Charles Howell III and Aaron Baddeley in there – who were all supposed to be the next Tiger. We were supposed to challenge Tiger from about the year 2000. But none of us did. We lived in his shadow for the next decade. Occasionally guys had their moments, but none of us lived up to expectations. But coming back to that text I sent Justin, it was more out of respect for what he’s done and for his work ethic. This is now our time to bag our Majors and become the players we’ve always wanted to be.”

Adam Scott

“you know, on the 18th tee, I never really felt that confIdent thIng of ‘bIrdIe to wIn’” It doesn’t have so many quirky bounces, and it needs more pure good golf to get rewards. That’s the beauty of links golf. Yes, there’s luck. Yes, there are different ways to play. But Muirfield has the best balance.” What it also has is a list of champions that bears comparison with any other layout on the Open rota: since 1945, Henry Cotton, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo (twice) and Ernie Els have won there. “Sometimes in golf, so much is unexplainable and there is coincidence in everything,” says Scott. “But then sometimes it can’t be coincidence that only the greatest players win there. The winners have proven that it is a course that produces greatness.”

State of Shock That collapse at Royal Lytham would have almost certainly broken lesser players and lesser men. But, afterwards, Scott gave a remarkable press conference that oozed class and dignity. He recalls: “I think I was still in shock. In my head, I probably thought

I’d won. I certainly felt like I controlled the tournament all week and played well enough to win a Major for the first time in my career. I’d been in contention at the Masters a couple of years before when Charl (Schwartzel) had that run of birdies. But that was about what he did rather than me. Lytham was all on my shoulders. Yeah, I was in shock.” Despite bogeying the 15th, 16th and 17th holes, Scott still found himself in the position that dreams are made of. Birdie to win the Open. But he says: “You know, on the 18th tee, I never really felt that confident thing of ‘birdie to win the Open’. I was thinking more about making a four. And I wasn’t even thinking about how I’d do it. That may have been a fault. This comfortable lead had gone and I was faced with one of the more difficult tee shots on the golf course. I wish I’d been clearer in my head and told myself: ‘Make birdie to win the Open’. But that wasn’t a clear thought.” Even so, he was remarkably relaxed throughout. “I was in the moment’” he says. “Maybe too comfortable. It’s hard to recall

precisely, because it’s something I dealt with quickly and moved on from. I did not feel any sense of urgency until my second shot into 17 because by then Ernie had finished and there was a number in the clubhouse: a target. That’s when it became apparent – a bit more pressure. Then I bogeyed 17 and, standing on the 18th tee, I was aware of the situation. But not on 15 and 16, and even on 17 it didn’t feel like it was slipping away. It always felt like it was mine to win or lose.” He was faced with a different set of circumstances as he came to the closing holes of this year’s Masters, chasing Argentina’s Angel Cabrera: “I told myself then that I’d have to earn it because nobody was going to give it to me,” he explains. “So my focus became strong and the intent clear. I’d played my way into that position and then I managed to play a really high level of golf. “But there was a lot of good golf played at Lytham too, you know. It was just a little sloppy at the end. Soft bogeys. You can’t be soft to close out a Major championship.”

Adam Scott is international golf brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz is Official Patron of The Open Championship. For more information on Mercedes Benz in golf, please visit www.facbook.com/ mercedesbenzgolf

Simon Caney @simoncaney

The decision by golf’s ruling bodies to outlaw long putters that are ‘anchored’ to the body from 2016 has left Scott puzzled and angry. “I’ll carry on as normal [with a long putter] for the next two and a bit years,” he said. “But it’s disappointing overall from all sides. The USGA and R&A have made their ruling, which they’re entitled to make. I disagree with it, but they’re the ones who have been put in position to make those calls. I disagree with the way they went about making that rule. But you just have to suck it up and get on with it. “But most disappointing is the PGA Tour’s turn in belief. They’ve done a complete 180. I’m disappointed with that

24 | July 21 2013 |

because I’m a member of the tour and I just don’t think it sets a great precedent, to be honest – to just not go with what they believe and do something because it’s maybe easier to go with the flow. “They have a player advisory council that the board consults, but I don’t know exactly how the politics of that works. I’m not on the council. So I question the value of that as well. There was clearly published, overwhelming support against the ban back in February when guys on the board and the advisory council voted on it. I’d like to know what changed, what new evidence came to light – because I’ve seen none.”

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Scott’S putter fury

Shane Warne

“Do you miss me?”

Getty Images, Ben Radford/Allsport UK

The first England v Australia Test of 2013 is under way, but the greatest bowler of them all is sat in the Sky Sports commentary box. We talk highs, lows and comeback daydreams as Shane Warne shares his Ashes memories REGISTER NOW

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26 | July 12 2013 |

Matt Prior It was 20 years ago this summer that you bowled ’the Ball of the Century’ with your first delivery in an Ashes Test. You’ve called it a fluke since – isn’t that rank false modesty? “Nah mate, it was a fluke. I mean, I rock up at just 23 years old and I’m bowling to the best player of spin bowling in England, who was Mike Gatting. I had Graham Gooch staring me down at the non-striker’s end, so it was quite nerve-wracking and intimidating, really. When you start your spell as a leg spinner, you try and get into a bit of rhythm, try to land a few leg breaks and get the ball turning. So to bowl, I suppose, the perfect leg break was pretty amazing. Every time I came on to bowl after that, I tried to do it first ball and it never worked. That’s why I call it a fluke.”

195 Warne has taken more Ashes wickets than any other bowler, at an average of 23.25 You mention Gatt, but who was the best England player you came up against in all of your many Ashes battles? “Gooch. He was a fantastic player; put a high price on his wicket and it was always tough bowling to him. I’m not sure how many times I knocked him over, but it wasn’t many [six times in Ashes Tests] – and he got a few big hundreds against us. When I came on, he was generally on 30 or 40 already after the quick bowlers, so it was always tough bowling to him.” Was there any England opponent who really got under your skin? “No. Honestly, since I started playing first-class cricket in 1990, I can only really think of one or two players who sort of... not got under my skin, but who I didn’t really enjoy playing against. I thought they played against the spirit of the game. But the England and Australia teams always got along well. We would

FOLLOW IAN BOTHAM

U N I B E T. C O . U K / S P O R T

socialise outside of cricket, we’d play golf together, drinks in the changing rooms after a day’s play. There was no English player I disliked, that’s for sure.”

as take wickets was pretty satisfying from a personal point of view. But I enjoyed a lot of the other eight Ashes series I played in a lot more, because we won.”

Skipping on from your debut to 2005... “Oh, that’d be right. You’ve missed out a few series there, haven’t you mate? [Laughs] How about we skip straight to 2007, when we won 5-0?”

It was your first Ashes after your 12-month ban [for using a diuretic in 2003]. Were you determined to make a point? “My enforced layoff in 2003, I call it. I actually think it just gave my body – after a good 13 or 14 years of playing so much cricket and travelling – a rest. I trained twice a day for three or four months with a professional trainer. My body was strong and for two or three years after that, I don’t know the exact numbers, but I think my record was pretty good. I was so up for it, I was super fit, I was pretty fresh in my mind and I really enjoyed my cricket.”

We’ll come to that. But while 2005 was a loss for Australia, it was an incredible, competitive series. Do you have any fond memories of it in that respect? “It’s pretty hard to enjoy a series when you lose, but when you look back eight years on, you can always say it was a wonderful series. I thought the cricket skills on display, the sportsmanship and camaraderie between both teams, is why it really captured the imagination of everyone. It had drama, it had emotion and it went right down to the wire in every match.”

But is it true you’d have quit international cricket in 2005 if Australia would have won? “Yeah, I probably would have. Although, looking back, I’m glad I kept playing. Some people still say I retired too early, but it’s always nice to get out on top and people say: ’Why are you?’ Rather than: ’Why don’t you [quit]?’ So I think I got out at the right time, in 2007. It doesn’t mean I don’t miss the game. I often daydream about making a comeback. I’ve always loved the game of cricket, and I always will. I’m very passionate about it and I’m a bit of a fighter, so I enjoy the competitiveness. It’s hard to replace that in your life, you know?”

“I often daydream about making a comeback” You also took 40 wickets: your highest total in any series. Was that a source of personal pride? “Yeah, a lot of people think that that 2005 Ashes series is one of the best cricket series ever, so it was good to perform well – even as a batsman. I remember coming coming in at about 100-6 a lot with the team in trouble because there were so many wonderful quick bowlers in that series – whether it was Simon Jones or Steve Harmison or Andrew Flintoff. There was no respite from quality swing bowling and sheer pace, so to get runs [249] as well

We definitely know. So, this being a double Ashes year – something even you never had before – don’t you wish you were still out there playing? “Why, do you miss me? [Laughs] Well, I was lucky enough that I played for a long time. But I’m at a stage in my life now with my family where we’re all getting along super well. My children are getting older – 16, 14 and 12 this year – so we hang out all the time and it’s great. I’m happy in my personal life with Elizabeth [Hurley] – we’re going great. I’m combining working in >

By players, for players

| 27

Shane Warne two countries, Australia and England, so my life is very busy – but very enjoyable, very satisfying and I’m pretty happy.” Your cricket career had plenty of drama and controversy in it, though. Many people say that’s the reason you never got to captain Australia at Test level. Is that a source of regret at all? “No, because I was lucky enough to play under Mark Taylor and Allan Border, who were excellent – the best two captains I played under. I don’t have any regrets about anything, actually. Sure, I’d do a few things a bit differently, but I don’t think you can live with any regrets because you can’t change what’s happened in the past; you just can’t. So, the more you worry about what could have been, it’ll just do your head in. I was very happy to play in a great era of Australian cricket. I had a great fun, enjoyed myself and had a pretty good journey.”

“I don’t think you can live with any regrets because you can’t change what’s happened in the past”

It was indeed a rich era of Australian cricket. Who did you rate as your best teammate? “It’s very hard to determine a number one. If we’re talking my most enjoyable teammate, it would probably have to be a toss-up between Merv Hughes, Darren Lehman and Mark Waugh [seated with Warne, right]. The best bowler I played with would be Glenn McGrath and the best batsman would probably be... jeez... Mark Waugh again. His numbers probably don’t stack up against some of the other players I played with, but as far as talent goes and being easy on the eye, he could play some unbelievable shots against real, real quality fast bowling in the 1990s.” Some would say that there aren’t quite so many big characters in cricket now as when you started playing. Why do you think that is? “I think you’ve got to be careful with judging people so much or so strongly. We want to see characters in

“We both looked at each other and said: ’Jeez, The Sherminator really looks like Ian Bell’”

Mark Dadswell/Getty Images, Clive Mason/Getty Images

cricket and people want to see the players having some fun. If a player does the wrong thing or steps out of line, sure, let them get nailed – but don’t be so strict or judge so harshly. I think that’s really important, because otherwise players will all keep quiet and you won’t see those characters emerge. So it’s a fine line.” What about on a personal note – do you have your own favourite Ashes moment? “Melbourne in 2007 was an amazing week in my life. It was the last time I was ever going to play at my beloved MCG, which was sort of my backyard. I had grown up playing [Aussie rules] football and cricket there. I actually got up at 5.30am on that first morning on Boxing Day to start the Shane Warne Foundation Boxing Day Breakfast with Michael Clarke and Kevin Pietersen, who came along. Then later Australia lost the toss and bowled, so it was a long morning from 5.30am to us starting at 10.30am or 28 | July 12 2013 |

whatever it was. So to come on and bowl when England were doing pretty well and take five-for-30 on day one, including my 700th wicket [pictured, right] in front of 90,000 people, plus family and friends, all at Christmas time... It’s amazing how my scriptwriter worked. So I think that the dismissal of Andrew Strauss in my second-to-last Test for number 700 was special.” Lastly, Shane: the really important stuff. In your 14 years of playing Ashes cricket, what’s your favourite sledge? “My favourite Ashes sledge would have to be calling Ian Bell ’The Sherminator’. A lot of people read too much into that, but it was was purely a case of watching American Pie with Michael Clarke with a pizza and a beer the night before. It was on the TV and we both looked at each other and said: ’Jeez, The Sherminator really looks like Ian Bell.’ The next day I remember calling him it and Bell replied and said he’d been called worse. I said: ’Mate, guess what? No you haven’t. You cannot be called worse than The Sherminator.’ That was definitely my favourite one.” Alex Reid @otheralexreid Enjoy all the big events live on Sky Sports this summer, including the Lions Tour, the Ashes, Formula 1 and US Open golf

Friday CriCket | Day three, First ashes test: englanD v australia | trent BriDge, nottingham | sky sports ashes hD 11am

British & Irish Lions

tommy bowe

‘The celebrations are still a bit of a haze’ The Irish winger takes us behind the jubilant Lions scenes one last time

“W

hat an amazing end to the series! Obviously

I’m delighted with how it’s all gone over the past couple of months, and it was such a great way to finish it all off. We came into the game feeling a lot fresher thanks to a few days up in Noosa last week. The weather wasn’t great, but I think the break and the chance to get away from it all for a few days and just relax had the desired effect. We came back and had three really intense training days and were all just raring to go come Saturday. The Brian O’Driscoll stuff dominated the press coverage in the build-up, but it was just something the press made a big deal out of. Nothing special was made of it in camp, and Brian was as supportive as he always is and trained with us every day. It must have been a big shock to a guy like him, who’s never been dropped in a 15-year career – which is a pretty outstanding record in itself – but he never showed it. To rise up and give everything to the team, and still be inspirational despite the hurt he must have been feeling, shows the mark of the guy he is. There was no big change in our gameplan coming into the game, but obviously we picked a much bigger and more physical side. We didn’t really carry much ball and get to play with much ball in the first two games, but the team picked for the third Test had a lot of ball carriers in it. So we really

30 | July 12 2013 |

wanted to break down the Australian defence and get over the gainline. Luckily, we got off to a flier and our tactics really worked a treat. The atmosphere was incredible in the game again, and it’s been crazy how much support we’ve had over the course of the tour. I thought 2009 was crazy with the number of Lions fans, but this has been another level. It’s such an amazing feeling to have won a series. It’s still sinking in, to be fair. I thought the tour to South Africa in 2009 was such a highlight of my career, but this one – to have won the series – is just another step above that. To be picked for the Lions is incredible, but to win a Lions series is something else. There certainly haven’t been too many sides who have won a series in the Lions’ 125 year history, so to be a part of one of those winning teams is pretty amazing. As for the celebrations, I’d love to tell you all about them, but it’s been a bit of a haze if I’m being honest! It was a mad couple of days celebrating, and we got a few beers into the bank with the boys. We really enjoyed ourselves, that’s for sure – and there were quite a few singsongs. It was sunny on the Monday in Sydney, and it was just the perfect way to end the tour. Sure, 16 years is a long time to have to wait to win a series, so it’s only fitting we give it a good celebration!” @TommyBowe14

David Rogers/Getty Images

My lions diary

7 Days

JUL 12-JUL 18 HIGHLIGHTS » Taekwondo: World Championships »p34 » Cricket: Friends Life T20 – Surrey v Essex » p35 » Football: UEFA Women's Euro 2013 » p36 » Cycling: Tour de France – Stages 15 and 18 » p36

OUR PICK OF THE ACTION FROM THE SPORTING WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday BASEBALL | MLB ALL-STAr GAME | CiTi FiELd, NEW York | ESPN AMEriCA 12.30AM

Aces of diamonds The top baseball players in America will converge on the home of the New York Mets next week for the 84th MLB All-Star Game, as the best (as voted by the US public) of the American League take on the National League stars – with the winner taking home field advantage in the World Series.

Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles

David Wright, New York Mets

Davis received the most votes – more than 8 million

Wright will get a tremendous reception from his

All-Star Games and indeed, a National League

– and will be making his All-Star debut. He has

home crowd. He's spent his entire career with the

team has won the last three World Series. More

slugged a staggering 33 home runs already this

Mets and is clubhouse captain. As a player he is the

than anything, though, the Midsummer Classic

season, starting with home runs in four consecutive

model of consistency: he has a career average of

gives fans the chance to show their appreciation

games. He hasn't looked back since.

.301 and averages 26 home runs a season.

which will feature former Mets players Darryl

Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees

Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers

Strawberry and pitcher Dwight Gooden alongside

The greatest closing pitcher of all time retires at the

Puig is hoping to make the game by way of the 'Final

celebrities including actor-come-comedian Chris

end of the season after his 13th All-Star appearance.

Vote' – an extra round of voting to decide on the final

Rock and Miss America 2013.

He will undoubtedly throw the same pitch – the cutter

player. He was only called up to the Major Leagues in

– that has confused hitters for nearly 20 years. Jim

June, but had 44 hits in his first month, which for a

Thome called it 'the single best pitch ever in the game'.

rookie is second only to the legendary Joe DiMaggio.

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images , Rob Carr/Getty Images, Jason Szenes/Getty Images, Hannah Foslien/Getty Images, Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

The National League have won the past three

for baseball's top talents. The three-day event will also encompass the Home Run Derby (a contest among the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs) and the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game,

But back to the meat in this hamburger: who will be the players to watch in the main event? 32 | July 12 2013 |

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7 Days Monday | TAEkwondo woRLd chAmpionships | pUEBLA, mEXico

Fighting chance Next week's Taekwondo World Championships in Mexico give Aaron Cook the chance to aim a poignant head kick at the GB selectors who overlooked him for London 2012

Painful observations

The next decision was tougher. Cook says that

While the rest of the world's best athletes were

Muhammad's bronze medal at London 2012 meant

competing on the grandest stage in sport, Cook was

“realistically, I wasn't going to be selected for the

in turmoil. He even accepted an invitation from the

GB squad to go to the Worlds. So we looked at

World Taekwondo Federation to London's ExCel

different avenues – competing for other countries,

Centre, where the Olympic event was taking place.

for example. But I probably would have had to wait

It’s something he now regrets: “I wish I hadn't gone,

three years to gain nationality and stuff like that.

to be honest,” Cook explains. “It broke my heart. In a Sport can often appear to defy all logic: when

way, it was good to be around it. But I just wish I'd

No man is an island

taekwondo’s world number one was overlooked for

been fighting. It was an amazing atmosphere and

“Then the Isle of Man popped up. I didn't have to

selection for his home Olympic Games last summer,

something I wish I could have been a part of, but it

change nationality, and I got to stay in the sport I love.

for example, the reaction was almost unanimous:

was horrible to watch it.”

I've been competing for them since the start of the

GB Taekwondo, the sport’s national governing

Life after the Games was just as tough – he needed surgery on an ankle injury, which meant he could not

year, won three competitions and I’m going to the Worlds. I'm so thankful for their support.” The Isle of Man couldn’t convince Cook's sponsors

body, selected not Aaron Cook but Lutalo

train. The down time didn't help him move on: “It took

Muhammad – ranked 58 places below Cook – to

a long time for me to be able to feel motivated again;

stick around, though: “Unfortunately my contracts

compete in the -80kg category in London. The

it took months, really. There were a lot of tears and

were all until the end of 2012. I didn't go to the Games

decision was, they said, based on their view that the

anger. My whole team – my parents and my coach

and didn't get a medal, so I lost pretty much all of my

latter had a fighting style better suited to the Games.

– we tried so hard to get there. All of our dreams and

sponsors. We're finding a way at the moment, but

goals were to get there, so when they got shattered it

hopefully I can win gold in Mexico and get some help.”

But Cook and his team were unconvinced, recalling murmurs of discontent from the governing body when Cook left the GB Taekwondo set-up to oversee his own coaching programme a year earlier. “It was extremely strange circumstances,” he tells Sport of the decision to leave him out of the Olympic

took a while to get refocused and look forward.”

So, how would Cook feel should he find himself

When Cook and his team eventually decided to

facing a British opponent next week? “In my first

renew their efforts in a bid to get to the Rio Olympics

fight this year – my first competition for the Isle of

in 2016, they had some important decisions to make.

Man – I was against GB at the Swedish Open. It was a

“I thought about changing sports at one stage”

tense moment, but I managed to beat him. There

squad. “Normally, to qualify for an Olympics, you

says Cook. “I thought I'd give boxing a go, but I love

were a lot of emotions going through me – it's difficult

have to be ranked in the top 16 in the world. But

this sport – I've been doing it since I was five years old

and I'm sure I'm going to come up against a lot of

because we had a home Games, the governing body

– so once I'd had a bit of time off, it made me realise

them in the future. But if they're standing in front of

chose who they wanted. Unfortunately, for whatever

how much I missed it. It would have been a nightmare

me, then I'm going to beat them. And that's it.”

reason, they didn't pick me and I have to move on.”

to start from zero again, anyway.”

34 | July 12 2013 |

Sarah Shephard @sarahsportmag Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

come again?

7 Days Monday CriCket | Friends LiFe t20: surrey v essex | kia OvaL | sky spOrts asHes Hd 6.30pm

Lucky Punter?

You were part of the Mumbai Indians squad that won the recent IPL, but had lost your place in the team by the latter stages of the tournament. How eager are you to make your mark in our own T20 competition? “Very much so. It was disappointing that Graeme [Smith] couldn’t have been here as well; it would have been a great opportunity for us to play together after having played a

The seemingly endless array of Friends Life

lot against each other over the years. But I

t20 fixtures continues when Essex visit

understand how big Twenty20 cricket is

Surrey next week. We caught up with the

over here in the UK. That first year with

home side’s Ricky Ponting, now a Twenty20

Somerset, I think I played just the one T20

player only, for a quick chat

game. This time round I’m looking forward to playing in front of some big crowds at the

It’s almost a decade since we first saw you

Oval and hopefully winning some games.”

summer’s cameo for Surrey?

Go on then, who are your favourite

“Pretty much just at the end of my

Twenty20 players to watch?

international career, I had the chance to

“Well I was lucky to be in the IPL for those

play the last half of the Australian domestic

two months, and the level of cricket you see

season with Tasmania, and that was in all

being played there is something else. I

three formats of the game: Twenty20s,

mean, some of the West Indian players:

50-over cricket and Sheffield Shield cricket.

Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Smith…

I started to get into the rhythm of the

the way they’re hitting the ball these days,

20-over game, and enjoyed it. Over the past

these big strong athletes, and they’re

10 years, I haven’t really played much

basing their whole game on T20 cricket. It’s

Twenty20 cricket, and then the chance to

a different game they’re playing. I’m barely

go to the IPL came up – and off the back of

able to reach the boundary, and those guys

that came the chance to come to Surrey.”

are hitting it 100 yards over the boundary.”

Jon Buckle/EMPICS Sport

in county cricket. What brought about this

| July 12 2013 | 35

and that ‘who cares’ mentality, so I just

team's chances of going one better

sat my exam and was happy to be on

than four years ago and taking the

the bench and come on and play.”

title of European champions Your season at Chelsea hasn't started You lost 6-2 to Germany in the final

well, with seven points from seven

last time, and you're coming in off the

games... sorry, that sounds quite blunt.

back of a 4-1 defeat to the hosts. What

“It's okay, it's fact!”

can you do in Sweden? “It's a really great time to be part of the

So, what do you need to change?

England team and it’s going to be a

“We're pretty much a new team, but

fantastic tournament in a country

it's a case of being better defensively

that's well known for supporting

and stopping conceding, because

women's sport, and women's football

we're quite dangerous going forward.”

particularly. We're confident we can repeat our performance from 2009

At the previous World Cup, you were

and get to the final and hopefully win,

quite vocal on Twitter about the

but we appreciate we need to get out

unpleasantness that came your way.

of the group first.”

Would you do the same again? “It was difficult to deal with people

How do you rate your group stage opponents: France, Russia

abusing you. Now it's a case of realising that those people try and get

and Spain?

brave because they're sat behind a

“France are one of the best

computer, but they're probably the

teams in Europe, they did very

same people who will ask you for an

well at the Olympics and at the

autograph. It's not something I take

last World Cup [where they were

massively seriously. No, I wouldn't deal

losing semi-finalists]. A lot of

with it in the same way. But I'm human,

their players are at Lyon, who

and sometimes you need to say: 'Hold

were Champions League finalists, so

on, that's not fair.'”

they can obviously compete at the highest level. Russia we don't know too

You're also trainee solicitor...

much about, but again they're a strong

“I work for a firm called Lee &

side and very effective. Spain have a

Thompson, who are a big media and

style of play that is similar to the men's

entertainment firm. It's been great

side in that they are very possession-

learning the ropes, representing

orientated. So we have one of the

celebrities and musicians.”

toughest groups, but we have to be

Eni, are you okay?

excited about that challenge.”

But you're not going to take an exam on the morning of your first game?

You had a history exam on the morning

“No. But my next step is to qualify as a

of your loss to Denmark at Euro 2005?

sports lawyer and crack on from there.”

“Yeah, I sat my A-level exam the morning of the game, then rushed

To learn more about women's football

there and played. But I was very young

and the FA's 150th anniversary, visit

at that time and you have that naivety

thefa.com

Huez cruise We jest, of course – when it comes to the Tour de France, Mont Richard Heathcote/Getty Images, Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Ventoux and the Alpe d’Huez are anything but a cruise. As we move towards the latter stages of the race, the peloton comes to two of the most famous climbs in Le Tour’s history. And not only will Britain’s Chris Froome be (hopefully) leading the race up Ventoux – the ‘Beast Of Provence’ – on Bastille Day, but there is also a double ascent of Huez to look forward to on Thursday. Sunday is the longest – and arguably most prestigious – stage of the race, incorporating a 20.8km climb at an average gradient of 7.5 per cent up Ventoux, which stands 1,912m tall. But it is the Huez mountain passes where Froome will, if Team Sky’s plan plays out as they hope, make the Yellow Jersey his own. The first is 12.3km-long at an average gradient of 8.4 per cent. The riders will then have the category 2 Col de Sarenne to negotiate before having a second bash at Huez, and a 13.8km climb to the finish. Allez! 36 | July 12 2013 |

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ENJOY MULTIPLAYER FUN FOR EVERYONE ON Wii U

wiiu.co.uk

W I N A N ENG LA N D O R S C OT LA N D TEAM ADAM!

38 | July 12 2013 |

Advertising Feature

ENglaND v ScotlaND

the fans face off ngland and Scotland players have been preparing to renew their historic rivalry at Wembley Stadium on August 14 – a match you can hear live commentary of on talkSPORT – by designing their own team cars. As team sponsor of both national sides, Vauxhall have given both England and Scotland their own completely customisable Adam to transform into one-off models. Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Daniel Sturridge, Jill Scott and Sophie Bradley have all put their skills to use on the England Team Adam, while Robert Snodgrass, Barry Bannan and Gary Mackay-Steven have done the same on the Scotland Team Adam. Go to the Vauxhall Football YouTube channel www.youtube.com/ user/vauxhallfootballtv and Facebook page to watch them hard at work. They won’t get to keep their finished products, though, because Vauxhall are giving you, the fans, a chance to own either

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www.YoutubE.com/uSER/vauxhallfootballtv | 39

Extra timE Making the most of your time and money

P42 mike Wazowski packs his bags for his Scaring major at Monsters University

Kit

Putters in your hands Scotty Cameron Futura x

As used by Adam Scott, but in standard length. Can you get a tune out of it like him, though? £279 | titleist.co.uk

Ping Nome tr

Variable depth grooves give this putter unmatched distance control, say Ping. No more three-putts? £245 | ping.com

taylormade Daddy Long Legs

The latest from the Spider line, it has a huge sweet spot and is designed with stability in mind. £159 | taylormadegolf.com

Odyssey Versa #7

Weighted alignment wings mean better balance, and that means a more consistent roll. Has a double bend shaft too. £119 | odysseygolf.com

40 | July 12 2013 |

Wilson Staff Vizor

This mallet putter features I-Lock technology to get your eyes in place over the ball. Sounds so simple, doesn’t it? £139 | wilsonstaff.com

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Advertising feature

The power of endurance

Amateur athlete or Olympic legend, getting your nutrition right is the key to your success “It is relentless. I loved it, because it was the most amazing occupation to have. It was a dream to do it full-time as a profession. But it is relentless.” When Sport spoke to six-time Olympic gold medalist Sir Chris Hoy recently, we asked him to reflect on the hard yards that led to his phenomenal success in cycling. Unsurprisingly, that word ‘relentless’ kept coming up . The focus for Hoy, as with any athlete, was on keeping going while maintaining a high-level of performance. “It’s a rollercoaster,” he continued. “You put yourself through a lot of physical pain on a daily basis, as all athletes do. But you choose to do it because you love it.” Getting his nutrition right allowed Hoy to keep putting himself through the pain – and so important was it to his success that he is now a brand ambassador for British sports nutrition experts Science in Sport. Hoy used SiS products throughout his career – and, since 1992, SiS have worked closely with elite athletes, leading research institutes, sports scientists and performance directors to develop their range of nutrition for all levels of endurance athletes. SiS products use high-quality ingredients and are designed for convenience and effectiveness. They also offer the best advice on how and when to use them. Be it cycling, like Hoy, running or triathlon – whichever endurance sport you choose to do “because you love it” – SiS have a range of nutrition products to help you prepare, perform and recover better. Endurance nutrition. Without compromise.

SiS Go hydro When exercising, 86 per cent of athletes drink

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water to hydrate, but are missing out on replacing the essential electrolytes and minerals they lose through sweat – and they are the compounds that will ultimately help you maintain your performance.

when athletes can’t guarantee getting a drink at the point they need it – and SiS don’t want your energy levels to suffer because of that.

nutrition, and the stress of hard, repetitive training can lead to depletion of carbohydrate energy stores and dehydration. Designed to be taken straight after exercise, SiS REGO Rapid Recovery is a high-carbohydrate and protein recovery formula that aids rapid recovery.

SiS GO Hydro low-calorie effervescent tablets are scientifically proven to produce superior hydration compared with water. Used before and during exercise, they can help athletes prevent the negative effects of dehydration. Drop one in water for a drink high in sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium. HOW DO I USE it? Consume 500ml of water with SiS GO Hydro three hours prior to exercise, and 250-500ml two hours prior. From £2.99 | scienceinsport.com

SiS GO Isotonic Gel, developed more than 11 years ago, was the first that could be taken without washing it down with water. It’s a convenient and fast-absorbing carbohydrate for athletes to take during training or racing, when depleted carbohydrate stores is a major cause of fatigue.

It contains a blend of protein, carbohydrate, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals to help rebuild muscle tissue and adapt to intense training.

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From £1.50 for 50g sachet | scienceinsport.com | 41

Entertainment

FREakS anD SlEEkS

Robots and monsters dominate the week’s ﬁlm releases, while Jay-Z’s curiously-titled album packs some slick beats

Film

Paciﬁc Rim

Yes! Mike and Sulley hit college, Old School-style: crushing beers and motorboating busty monster girls. Well, not quite, but this Monsters, Inc. prequel elicits plenty of grown-up guffaws for an animated family film. Monsters University sees mono-eyed Mike (voiced by Billy Crystal) and furry beast Sulley (John Goodman) enrolled on a course teaching them how to terrify. Under this guise, the film sneaks in numerous gags that may fly over kids’ heads, but will be familiar

Music

Magna Carta Holy Grail Jay-Z

If you turned Jay-Z on his head, it likely says ‘best before 2005’ on his feet. However, slick beats from his cadre of super-producers and some welcome guest vocals (Frank Ocean, Rick Ross) save his new album. The man himself is akin to an ageing boxer: tired, but still with enough ﬂashes of his former brilliance to keep your head bobbing back and forth. Out now 42 | July 12 2013 |

to anyone who knows the frat party, nerd v jock tropes of US college movies. The fun really kicks in when the duo enter the university’s Scare Games, with events involving avoiding venomous spikes and having to petrify robot children. Frankly, we’d have welcomed several of these at London 2012. In all, Monsters University isn’t Pixar’s most original release, but the rapport between the leads and the digs at student digs make it a charming, amusing addition to the catalogue. Out today

DVD

Robot & Frank

The kids of a retired cat burglar, worried about his failing memory, buy a robot butler to assist him. The elderly rogue resents it, until he realises his new buddy can be trained to help him relaunch his crime career. An absurd premise, but this comedy-drama is made irresistible by a star turn from Frank Langella. Easily the best robo-helper ﬁlm since Rocky IV. Out Monday

Film

Exhibition

We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks

Acclaimed documentary director Alex Gibney turns his focus on the WikiLeaks.org saga. His latest film offers an engrossing insight into the life of Bradley Manning, the troubled US private accused of leaking thousands of secret files. However, the website’s founder, Julian Assange (above) remains an enigma throughout. Out today

Richard Rogers: Inside Out Royal Academy of Arts

He’s the architect responsible for half of modern London (Sir Norman Foster designed the other half), but Richard Rogers’ skills don’t end at the Lloyds Building or Millennium Dome. His work is evident from Tokyo to Paris (pictured), and you can take a peek at his drawings and designs at this new exhibition. Opens Thursday

Download the free Sport iPad app from the Apple Newsstand

Monsters University

What would we do if Godzillalike monsters rose from the sea and took over the surface of Earth? That’s right: construct gigantic, human-piloted robots and send them up there to chin-check those mofos with their big, metal fists. Hey – it still sounds better than the nuclear option. And while Pacific Rim is clearly B-movie hokum, it’s saved by the fact that its tongue is lodged firmly in its steel cheek. With Pan’s Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro on visuals and Idris Elba hamming it up as the ludicrously-named commanding officer Stacker Pentecost, this monster mash-up is a lot more entertaining than you might fear. Out today

M L I F D R O F K C A A TAYLOR H

DVD

£9.99 Blu-ray

£12.99

Selected stores and availability. Offer ends 21st July 2013. Also available online.

sainsburys.co.uk/entertainment

esesR st hgi Rll A. CLL, S NOI T CUDORP MLI Fr eEsVeI R T NstEhCgiNIRl2l 1A© 0. 232100122dIeNti Cm Ei NLTKIVUEeFnIO LM t nePRmO ni DatUr eCt TnIEON© S,gnLi LgCa.k cAallPRr. idgehvtrseRseser ved. Packaging © Enter tainment One UK Limited 2013. All Rights Rde.sdeer ved.

Extra time Génesis Rodríguez

44 | July 12 2013 |

| 45

Zoey Grossman/Artmix Creative

ctress and model Génesis Rodríguez describes herself as an “NBA aficionado” (it’s even on her Twitter biog), being a massive Miami Heat fan. “I can’t live without it,” she tells Sport when we speak to her shortly before the Heat’s NBA championship decider with the San Antonio Spurs. “My whole life revolves around basketball. It’s a passion. If we win, I’ll be so proud – I’ll be ecstatic. I’ll be 10 inches taller.” As it turned out, of course, Rodríguez is by now able to reach the bread on the top shelf in the supermarket. And her sporting connections don’t end there: at the end of May, she threw the first pitch at the LA Dodgers v St Louis Cardinals game at the Dodgers Stadium. Has she, we wonder, ever considered playing sport as a profession? “Good lord, no. I talk a lot, so I could be a great analyst. But I’m a bit of a klutz.” And talking of talking, where does the bilingual Rodríguez rate the British accent? “I like all types of accents,” she says. “But, if you’re a foreign guy, you have half the game won – you’re already interesting because you come from somewhere completely different, so you have a lot of cultural stuff to talk about.” Ah, cultural stuff. What about the band Genesis? “I just want to clarify: I’m not named after them. But I do happen to share the same name as one of the coolest British bands of all time.” And her favourite song? Well, it’s not No Son of Mine. Identity Thief, starring Génesis Rodríguez, is out on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on July 15

Invisible touch

Grooming

BullET Proof

Take aim at this week’s grooming weapons of choice. Then ﬁre away...

Shave, edge and trim

Wilkinson Sword Quattro Titanium Precision Carbon

Titanium was discovered in Cornwall in 1791 and named after the Titans of Greek mythology – a race of immortal beings who ruled during the legendary Golden Age. For a similarly powerful impact, Wilkinson Sword recommend their new razor and its four lightweight titanium-coated blades that deliver a smooth, sharp ﬁnish. A lubricating strip enriched with aloe vera and Vitamins E & Pro-B5 provides comfort, while a rubber guard helps stretch skin and prepare it for a close shave with minimal irritation. The battery-operated trimmer has four adjustable levels to style facial hair, it’s safe to use in the shower, easy to clean and an additional titanium-coated edging blade lets you sculpt with extraordinary precision. £9.99 | tesco.com

Sculpt a work of art Structure Transform Spray Clay

Splash it on David Beckham Classic

From the legendary Golden Age to the equally legendary Golden Balls, and his new EDT “inspired by his flawless style”. A fizzy mix of gin tonic accord, lime and galbanum (an aromatic gum resin) gives it an initial burst of effervescent freshness; a spicy yet crisp body of cypress, nutmeg and mint follows, with warm, woody base notes of Texas cedarwood and ambermax. As with any Becks set-piece, it’s bang on target. £24.95 for 60ml | Superdrug and Boots stores nationwide from July 31 46 | July 12 2013 |

A clay-in-a-spray that creates a “tantalising texture with a medium hold and matte finish,” says Structure. Spray and spruce for the following looks: tousled rocker, tumbling curls, bedhead styles or quiffs (you know who you are). Blow-drying your barnet after applying gives you a “super-pliable texture” and a volume boost. Though that’s only really acceptable if you pretend the hairdryer is a pistol, twirl it around your index finger and imaginary-holster it afterwards. £11.95 for 150ml | structurehair.co.uk

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