I really wanted both Roger Federer and Andy Murray to win Wimbledon on Sunday morning!? Roger because he really is the Greatest Of All Time, and had not won a Slam since 2010.? And Andy because he is getting better and better, has the hopes of all of Great Britain riding on that accomplishment – and because he is a fellow Celt – Scottish, to be exact.
But once the match started and Andy actually took the first set with wonderfully accurate and agressive play (no hang dog looks at all!), I started to really root for Roger.? Andy was just going to have to wait.
Roger is slower – not quite half a step, but still – at nearly 31, there is just the tiniest difference in his speed, and in what he chases.? But he makes up for it with guile, strategy, risk taking ability.
The two were deep into the second set – Roger managed to barely pull it out.? Then early in the third set, the rains came.? It took about 40 minutes to get the retractable roof shut, with each of them getting massage and stretching to stay limber, and each having access to their coaches.? When they came back out, Roger was more relaxed and much more in charge.? All of his brilliance and enormous skills were on display.
This was really a great match from each man.? And each had tears in their eyes after it was over, with Andy actually crying – he had a very hard time speaking to the crowd.
Tennis is a game of inches, mano a mano alone in front of that enormous crowd – which loves Roger but so much wanted Andy to win.? A deeply satisfying and beautiful match.? Aaaaaahhhhhh!