Exodus 20:12 "Honour thy father and thy mother"

Britain's Andy Murray entered into the biggest match of his life today when he went up against Juan Martin Del Potro in the US Open Quarter-Final. This match had added hype and anticipation given that the two players were not on speaking terms following an altercation in their previous match. It started with Del Potro failing to apologise for sending a ball straight at Murray, and then Del Potro becoming annoyed by Murray's constant shouting. Finally it climaxed with Del Potro making comments about Andy Murray's mother.



Now, whilst this has absolutely nothing to do with football, I thought it was good to see the reserve shown by Andy Murray, when he could have flared up. Sportsmen have a responsibility to be role models, and even when the most offensive of things are said about you or to you, it is important to use that anger to your benefit rather than letting it destroy you. And so I turn to Zinedine Zidane, when at the World Cup Final in 2006 he reacted to Marco Materazzi's allegedly offensive comments by headbutting him in the chest like a rabid animal.



The difference? Zinedine Zidane was sent off, and France surrendered their lead to lose the World Cup Final. Andy Murray however held onto that moment to defeat Del Potro in the biggest game of his life, making his way to his first ever Grand Slam Semi-Final.

Who am I to make a comparison between an up and coming British Tennis player and one of Football's greatest ever players? Just an observationalist.