Henman v Murray: the fans decide!

As the 2007 Wimbledon championships begin next week, British hopes will again rest on two players, Tim Henman and Andy Murray. Why and how do tennis fans support these two players? University of Teesside Sport Studies lecturers will be travelling to the All England Tennis Club next week to explore these and other issues, as part of a research project.

Kevin Dixon, 28, and lecturing colleague Tom Gibbons, 26, will be in Wimbledon at the start of this year’s two-week tournament to interview fans near the Club grounds. Later they will observe their behaviour and reactions while watching Henman and Murray. Kevin, pictured left with Tom Gibbons, said: “Both players represent Britain but Henman is synonymous with England and Murray with Scotland. We’ll be looking at fans’ perceptions, why do they choose to support either Henman or Murray? Or both? Is it a nationalistic feeling? And how do they show their support?

“We’ll also be looking at the international perspective, asking fans who’ve travelled from abroad why they’re there, and what do they admire about their favourite players? We’re looking to talk to and observe as many people as possible. Our observations won’t be invasive of fans’ enjoyment of the matches. It’ll be my first time at the tournament and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The research results will appear in the journal Sport and Society later this year.

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