by PAM
Aah, what a fortnight that was! The great players in this era of men's tennis created yet another good story, worthy of mention in the tennis history book's golden pages.
The All England Club Cup and
Roger Federer - perfect match! I know I asked for adrenaline rush, and forced it via The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King but, hey, I didn't realize that went with a bonus - an adrenaline flood straight from the Centre Court of SW19!
I know, this took a while... being a Roger Federer fan (nevermind that I've been turned off by his less than carefully-thought-of, bordering Jose Mourinho sounding, remarks on his talents and other guys' on a number of occasions), this should have come flying right after Andy Murray sent a forehand wide to hand RF the championship point at the Gentlemen's singles final match at The Championships at Wimbledon 2012. But moments like this deserve to be savored thoroughly... not by talking about it, but by watching, and re-watching... and re-watching again the whole match! :) Not that am writing about the highlights of the match, 'cause I'm not! :) I love tennis... and RF, but I have "real life" concerns to afford enjoying life... too much. :)
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Contrasting emotions... all for the love of the game
After seeing the winning point slip into the money bag to complete a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 victory, the Swiss Maestro fell on the ground in tears - tears of joy. The "King of Grass" is back... and he
"...the world number one doesn't get gifted
to you...."rolled in one spectacular ride to victory once again - playing brilliantly as if it was 2003-2007 again! How fantastic that at the end of this fortnight, and two years of ups and downs (mostly downs, actually), RF, in front of his twin daughters, wife and parents, won his record-tying (with Pete Sampras) 7th Wimbledon title, and extending his record Grand Slam wins to 17. And he is back to the #1 spot in the ATP World ranking, too... just when almost everyone has already written him off as a 'has-been' in men's tennis! Considering that he is almost 31 years old now, one of the oldest in this illustrious tennis generation that boasts of numerous twenty-something "men of steel", including the one he just beat at SW19's Centre Court, and the other one whom he deposed as Wimbledon Champion and #1 in the World, Novak Djokovic, that is one incredible feat! Too perfect of a story... it just doesn't get any better than this - no way!
I don't think there is anything else that RF fans could ask for from the King after this, nor do they need to keep standing up for Federer when the young "men of steel" in men's tennis make a comeback in the tour, or when a debate on who is the greatest to play the sport arises once again... we rest our case!
But why all these tears of sadness? Uhm, yeah... it's because the British #1, Andy Murray, remains #1... but only to the British, not the world. Will he "conquer
"I'm getting closer...."the world" - ever? On June 8, in SW19, he was the #1... the Champion's #1 challenger that is. But after four gruelling sets, he was the unsuccessful challenger once again, the second fiddler, the one who didn't win... the one who was left to wait another time.
It really breaks the heart. But he did behave like a winner, which is totally admirable. Holding back justified tears, he reminded himself, and a dejected nation, in good humor, that hey, he is "getting closer" to the coveted prize. That cheered everyone up... myself included. :) How he could still summon humor at the most emotional moment of his tennis career so far tells that Murray's "good guy" image is not just an image, really. This guy is for real! He then congratulated the victor - his conqueror, throwing in humor here and there again as he did, and then thanked his supporters wholeheartedly. Everyone can tell that every word of gratitude was from the heart because when emotions became too overpowering to be held back, everyone saw a glimpse of his badly broken heart... tears did finally fall. And the whole tennis world's heart broke, too. Oy, Andy! :(
Such is the beauty of men's tennis these days. Everytime the final in a Grand Slam is played, too many things, on both sides of the net, are at stake. Usually, it's a claim to a
Left? Right? History waited to unfold
either way.glorious place in the history of the sport, sometimes it's to conquer one's weaknesses and finally lift the coveted prize, or lift the prize again on an opportune time. And in rare but truly meaningful moments, what's at stake is a matter of pride. Many times, Murray fought to conquer his personal weaknesses, to break through that massive wall of undisputed greatness in the sport that he loves. But on the 8th of July 2012, he fought for sheer pride... for the nation he represents, for the nation that wholeheartedly believed in him and in his capacity to re-write the history of the sport in their favor, for the nation whose aching longing for victory of one of their own on their own turf he carried on his shoulders. Sadly, they would have to wait another time... and with the majestic showing of RF in their Centre Court, outshining their lad, they could hardly complain either.
One thing is for sure though, after that emotionally draining moment at the Centre Court of SW19, and after giving the man who spells greatness in men's tennis a royal run for his money, the whole tennis world will be rallying behind Andy Murray... next time around! Gofer it, Andy, ya can do it!
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Gone too soon...
As for FBC, I sent her away to a "Retreat". She needs to find herself... 'cause imagine calling tennis "boring"? Gah! That was a totally misguided view... considering that she enjoys playing badminton where they don't even use balls! Madre mia! =) She'll come around.
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Photo credits: All photos were grabbed from the Zimbio website - thanks!
