WORLD NUMBER THREE Andy Murray says he’s not much of a reader despite hours to kill on the gruelling tennis tour, revealing he gave up halfway through his last book… Harry Potter.
The Scot, whose US Open win last month gave Britain its first Grand Slam men’s champion since the 1930s, was speaking after Novak Djokovic professed a hankering for the delights of university life, saying he was a keen reader.
“I don’t read books. I mean, I go on the Internet a lot and read stuff online, but I don’t read books. I haven’t read a book since I was about 14, 15,” said the 25-year-old Murray, defending champion at the Shanghai Masters.
“I got halfway through the third Harry Potter book. It was the first one that was really, really big. It was like 600 pages. I stopped around 200. I haven’t read a book since then.”
Multilingual world number two Djokovic, also 25, said earlier this week he had missed out on a normal education, adding that despite all the travel, chances to soak up new experiences were limited.
Might have missed it but did the IRFU ever clarify why Ireland is the only top tier nation, possibly one of the only rugby nations, that never invested in 7s? Is there actually a good reason? The 7s circuit is huge, a 7s event in Dublin would be class, it always attracts a crowd.
They did, they said that costs were too high and were better spent on the 15s game. It was David Nucifora that convinced them that it would be an effective pathway for developing players that may otherwise slip through. I’ve seen it suggested that they would have to be seen to be running a 7s program to help with the RWC2023 bid. Not sure about that one though.
There are 7s events in Ireland. Dublin 7s was about a month ago in Donnybrook. Then obviously there’s Kinsale 7s which has a big draw.
Think he meant a world series event
Spain got the last spot in the last second of the final against Samoa . They had beaten Ireland in the quarters . Ireland did well to get so far considering they have only one full season under their belts.
Definitely. Qualification for 2020 was always the goal so to get so close for 2016 is great encouragement.
Sean, what’s the story with Olympic qualification? Has that ship sailed or are we still in with a chance?
Spain got the last spot