JOHNNERS BLOG

Some mothers do 'ave em.

So Andy Murray has been warned about his conduct on the Tennis court - but not as a result of uttering unmentionables because of a poor shot or mis-timed volley. Neither was it from sheer exasperation at the way his game was letting him down it was something altogether closer to home. Apparently In the Rome Masters his opponent, Juan Martin Del Potro issued a comment about Murray's mother and that was enough to cause him to swear so that it was bought to the Umpires attention. Clearly Mr Murray took exception to an admonition of 'the nicest lady you could wish to meet'.

And Zinedine Zidane - we all know what you get for your trouble , particularly if you're Marco Materrazzi, if you mention his mama on the field of sport.

Going back to Tennis andwhat about the over-bearing father routine Jelena Dokic's dad, Damirused to practice. Not only is he alleged to have threatened to kidnap his daughter and to kill an Australian as revenge for her returning to Australia.

In the past, he also claimed the Australian Open draw was fixed, he's been thrown out of the US Open in 2000 for abusing staff about the price of a meal, and he once smashed a journalist's phone at Wimbledon.

There's no doubt that parental guidance and encouragement is vital in getting the best from our sports men and women , but clearly it's a two way street, let's not get too 'het' up if opponents use that maternal figure as a stick to beat them with and equally parents don't liveyour life through your kids and that way everyone's a winner.