Members of the public said that Murray is not "the same kind of guy" as Henman. One lady thought Murray didn't have the same appeal as Henman "because Tim's English" -- Murray is Scottish.
The majority held the opinion that if Murray was to win Wimbledon, and if Henman had done the same, the Englishman would hold far more appeal.
Another man also felt that Murray isn't liked as much as Henman because: "A lot of people think Murray has an attitude, it might be shyness, whereas Tim Henman was a bit of a soft, English lad next door."
However, some people questioned did feel Murray had the potential to achieve Henman's level of popularity because the Scotsman is "young and good at his sport".
Most of the people interviewed believed that Murray, despite being rebranded as a British sporting hero, would never be as big as David Beckham as he doesn't have the "looks". Others said it was because tennis is not as popular as football in the UK.
Murray is now sponsored by the Fred Perry brand.
Read Mark Ritson's post on Marketingmagazine.co.uk: Andy Murray lacks David Beckham's brand appeal.
Comments
Personally, from my point of view, I'll never support him after his commenst about supporting anyone who plays England at football, and i'm not even Englash. But such a partisan comment like that why would any english person bother to support him. Also, he's a grumpy bugger, and has no personality !
henman was a stroker too though wasn't he?
Grumpy sod, I support anyone that plays Murray.
Did Tim Henman have appeal? I must have missed that. They are both as charmless as each other but at least Henman didn't hate the English
No Henman was a bit of a plank, he's grown a slight personality since giving up tennis
spring - 01/07/2009
there we go again with looks, looks, looks, he's got game. If that's not enough then I suggest those with appeal and charm got to center court.
*Sigh* I know I'm fighting blockheads and bigots here, but if the so-called tennis-loving public can't forgive a guy a comment about the English football team made in jest when he was a teenager, then I'm sorry for them. Murray has suffered the indignity of growing up in public, and worn it pretty well. So he may have appeared grumpy: hasn't every teenager? They were just lucky not to be quoted in a newspaper or filmed for TV. As for his hating the English, you should mention that to his \(English) girlfriend. He is a much better tennis player than Henman, has shown incredible dedication in changing his physique to meet the requirements of the modern game \(which Henman never did) and will, I confidently predict, win the hearts of middle Britain by the time he retires with four or five major titles under his belt. To the above people, I would say "grow up". Andy Murray has.
I used to be critical of Murray's flat interviews and grumpy image. BUT, I now follow him on Twitter where he is far more relaxed. He thanks everyone for their support after games and gives an insight into life behind the glare of the media. Having followed his updates, I'm supporting the personality off the court and his ability on court.
Everyone loves a winner \(and the underdog)... so just wait for a rush of love if he takes the title. I'm a half Scot who wasn't proud of his comments about supporting anyone but England. But hey, we all make mistakes. Good luck to him.
I don't care about his comment or his looks \(bloody hell...) I just don't like him, is that enough? or do i just have to like him cos he's british?
I want to see him sent back to Dunblane with his tail between his legs. Go on Roddick!
Lee H - 02/07/2009
Who cares about his personality; I just want us to bloody win something!
'Sports personality' is such an oxymoron \(just look at the humourless individuals on 'Question Of Sport' - yawn!). Just shove a racquet in their hands or put a ball near their feet and let that be all that we see. I admire those that have such dedication to their trade but being a topflight sportsman/woman rarely also results in the ability to woo the media.
I agree with Jeremy - at what point was it decided that Tim Henman had appeal? Mind you, that said, we do seem to love a loser here in the UK!
Its tough to judge someone based on their post-match interviews and media speculation. He comes across as tough and dour on court because thats how he wins his matches - he is still 'in the moment' when interviewed. As the comment above about his twitter comments suggest \(assuming they're not written by his PR agent) we need to see a different more personal side to Andy Murray before judging him. Having said that, what are the odds he wrap himself in a Scottish flag rather than Union Jack if he wins Wimbledon??!
So... If I've read this right, we have learned that if Andy Murray were English - and more specifically, if he were TIm Henman, an Englishman - he's not, apparently - he would appeal more to fans of the English and fans of English Tim Henman. Also - possibly - tennis isn't as popular as football, and Murray's not and never will be in David Beckham's league when it comes to brand endorsement. Nice research. See http://tinyurl.com/4psr84 and http://tinyurl.com/5d8joh for supporting material.
I've given up reading most of these comments. How negative and cynical. Why do we always diss success in this country? Andy Murray is the best thing that's ever happened to BRITISH tennis for 70 years. He's focussed, professional and talented. Why can't we be proud of that? I am. And I'm English.
Can't help it if i don't like him
I'm with Nicola; there's nothing about him that I like. FACT
The ill-informed of you might want to read this - from the guy who was interviewing Murray when he made the 'anti-English' comments:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1194310/DES-KELLY-For-time--Scot-Andy-Murray-traitor.html
If you don't like him for any other reason fair enough, but get your facts straight.
S P - 03/07/2009
Oh dear. Colonialism still exists apparently. Folk often say the English hate successful people; actually, some some people \(English or not) hate really talented people. The untlaented prefer successful witless wonders.
Murray, fwiw, has a droll an dry sense of humour. Often lost on parochial types.
Jeremy Lee, I do feel sorry for you - you seem rather sad and lacking in joie de vivre. As Emerson said "People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character".
Looking forward to a display of gneuine talent this afternoon. Enjoy it everyone - whoever wins.
Thanks for your concern. You should learn to spell
S P - 03/07/2009
Miaow! Nothing wrong my spelling, Jeremy. Just my typing when I'm busy. However, that's easy to fix with a bit of attention. Anger and maturity issues need a bit more work. I do hope you find happiness some day.
Sod off or I'll break your legs
S P - 03/07/2009
And you think Murray is "charmless".
EOD.
Comments
john lush - 01/07/2009
Personally, from my point of view, I'll never support him after his commenst about supporting anyone who plays England at football, and i'm not even Englash. But such a partisan comment like that why would any english person bother to support him. Also, he's a grumpy bugger, and has no personality !
Kate Ritchie - 01/07/2009
henman was a stroker too though wasn't he?
Nicola Lucas - 01/07/2009
Grumpy sod, I support anyone that plays Murray.
Jeremy Lee - 01/07/2009
Did Tim Henman have appeal? I must have missed that. They are both as charmless as each other but at least Henman didn't hate the English
Nicola Lucas - 01/07/2009
No Henman was a bit of a plank, he's grown a slight personality since giving up tennis
spring - 01/07/2009
there we go again with looks, looks, looks, he's got game. If that's not enough then I suggest those with appeal and charm got to center court.
Martin Tripp - 01/07/2009
*Sigh* I know I'm fighting blockheads and bigots here, but if the so-called tennis-loving public can't forgive a guy a comment about the English football team made in jest when he was a teenager, then I'm sorry for them. Murray has suffered the indignity of growing up in public, and worn it pretty well. So he may have appeared grumpy: hasn't every teenager? They were just lucky not to be quoted in a newspaper or filmed for TV. As for his hating the English, you should mention that to his \(English) girlfriend. He is a much better tennis player than Henman, has shown incredible dedication in changing his physique to meet the requirements of the modern game \(which Henman never did) and will, I confidently predict, win the hearts of middle Britain by the time he retires with four or five major titles under his belt. To the above people, I would say "grow up". Andy Murray has.
Richard Gooch - 01/07/2009
I used to be critical of Murray's flat interviews and grumpy image. BUT, I now follow him on Twitter where he is far more relaxed. He thanks everyone for their support after games and gives an insight into life behind the glare of the media. Having followed his updates, I'm supporting the personality off the court and his ability on court.
Gellan Watt - 01/07/2009
Everyone loves a winner \(and the underdog)... so just wait for a rush of love if he takes the title. I'm a half Scot who wasn't proud of his comments about supporting anyone but England. But hey, we all make mistakes. Good luck to him.
Nicola Lucas - 02/07/2009
I don't care about his comment or his looks \(bloody hell...) I just don't like him, is that enough? or do i just have to like him cos he's british?
Jeremy Lee - 02/07/2009
I want to see him sent back to Dunblane with his tail between his legs. Go on Roddick!
Lee H - 02/07/2009
Who cares about his personality; I just want us to bloody win something! 'Sports personality' is such an oxymoron \(just look at the humourless individuals on 'Question Of Sport' - yawn!). Just shove a racquet in their hands or put a ball near their feet and let that be all that we see. I admire those that have such dedication to their trade but being a topflight sportsman/woman rarely also results in the ability to woo the media. I agree with Jeremy - at what point was it decided that Tim Henman had appeal? Mind you, that said, we do seem to love a loser here in the UK!
Andy Knell - 02/07/2009
Its tough to judge someone based on their post-match interviews and media speculation. He comes across as tough and dour on court because thats how he wins his matches - he is still 'in the moment' when interviewed. As the comment above about his twitter comments suggest \(assuming they're not written by his PR agent) we need to see a different more personal side to Andy Murray before judging him. Having said that, what are the odds he wrap himself in a Scottish flag rather than Union Jack if he wins Wimbledon??!
Grace Kale - 02/07/2009
So... If I've read this right, we have learned that if Andy Murray were English - and more specifically, if he were TIm Henman, an Englishman - he's not, apparently - he would appeal more to fans of the English and fans of English Tim Henman. Also - possibly - tennis isn't as popular as football, and Murray's not and never will be in David Beckham's league when it comes to brand endorsement. Nice research. See http://tinyurl.com/4psr84 and http://tinyurl.com/5d8joh for supporting material.
Fiona Morris - 02/07/2009
I've given up reading most of these comments. How negative and cynical. Why do we always diss success in this country? Andy Murray is the best thing that's ever happened to BRITISH tennis for 70 years. He's focussed, professional and talented. Why can't we be proud of that? I am. And I'm English.
Nicola Lucas - 02/07/2009
Can't help it if i don't like him
Jeremy Lee - 02/07/2009
I'm with Nicola; there's nothing about him that I like. FACT
Bryan Scott - 02/07/2009
The ill-informed of you might want to read this - from the guy who was interviewing Murray when he made the 'anti-English' comments: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1194310/DES-KELLY-For-time--Scot-Andy-Murray-traitor.html If you don't like him for any other reason fair enough, but get your facts straight.
S P - 03/07/2009
Oh dear. Colonialism still exists apparently. Folk often say the English hate successful people; actually, some some people \(English or not) hate really talented people. The untlaented prefer successful witless wonders. Murray, fwiw, has a droll an dry sense of humour. Often lost on parochial types. Jeremy Lee, I do feel sorry for you - you seem rather sad and lacking in joie de vivre. As Emerson said "People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character". Looking forward to a display of gneuine talent this afternoon. Enjoy it everyone - whoever wins.
Jeremy Lee - 03/07/2009
Thanks for your concern. You should learn to spell
S P - 03/07/2009
Miaow! Nothing wrong my spelling, Jeremy. Just my typing when I'm busy. However, that's easy to fix with a bit of attention. Anger and maturity issues need a bit more work. I do hope you find happiness some day.
Jeremy Lee - 03/07/2009
Sod off or I'll break your legs
S P - 03/07/2009
And you think Murray is "charmless". EOD.