Sponsored by
TALKING SPORT WITH JAMES SHIELD: Outbreak of Andyitis is a mute point
TALKING Sport knows - from bitter experience - that tennis fans can be as protective about their sport as Britain's gridiron afficionados.
The nation prepares to be infected by another bout of Murray Mania, an afflicition seeminly more contagious than swine flu.
Yes, the next fortnight's action at the All England Club will be utterly compulsive.
But, in Chez Shield at least, to be watched with the sound turned down on the television set and the radio fixed on mute.
Obviously, having never organised an afternoon tea party or garden fete in my life, I'm immune to the more debilitating effects of Andyitis.
I say 'Andy' because the failure to hear a single surname uttered by those covering the event is probably the most irritating aspect of the whole shebang.
Perhaps I'm a bit old-fashioned but a scientific and meticulously-constructed straw poll of the South Yorkshire public - those who sit within shouting distance in the office, at least - has revealed beyond all reasonable doubt that I'm not alone.
n According to Barry McGuigan, "one second" is all it takes for professional sportsmen and women to realise they no longer have the hunger or desire to meet the demands placed upon them at the highest level.
The former world boxing champion made his revelation during a debate about Ricky Hatton's future.
Hatton, still smarting from his brutal defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, can at least console himself with the knowledge that, if he does decide to retire and pursue a career as a manager/ trainer/ promoter (delete as applicable), then he will do so on his own terms.
That's a luxury neither Fabio Cannavaro or Phil Vickery - two outstanding servants in their own disciplines - enjoyed over the weekend.
Both men - Cannavaro during Italy's humiliation at the hands of Brazil in the Confederations Cup - and Vickery - the victim of an even more painful beasting by fellow prop Tendai Mtawarira during Saturday's first Test between South Africa and the British Lions - received an unwelcome reminder that even the most potent sporting powers fade at some point.
Doubtless both will carry on - in football and rugby union - for sometime yet.
But they deserved better.- to be able to bow out as world greats on their own terms.
Away from the gaze of a thousand television cameras.
What do you think? Add your comment below.
FREE E-MAG: Click here to read our Twenty20 Cup 2009 e-mag for FREE on line.
FREE E-MAG: Click here to read our 2009 British Grand Prix e-mag for FREE on line.
BUY ONLINE: Buy The Star - Monday to Saturday - for local news, sport, features and ads. Sign up on line by clicking here.
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters
Features
South Yorkshire's environmental news
Kids Zone
More business news
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Latest sport
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Fog
Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
