A match
lasting 3 minutes less than 5 hours, not so rare a sight in tennis grand slams
when two aces clash. Looked forward to an exhilarating Sunday, stationed in
front of TV screen, to view Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer playing in the
Wimbledon 2019 final. The players did not disappoint but the spectators
punctured the entertainment somewhat with their constant, raucous, one-sided
bias towards one player - Federer, even to the extent of clapping at the Serb's mistakes. Tennis is considered a gentleman’s game (not a ladies?) but in
this match, the non-favourite needed to muster all his mental powers to ensure
the creepy crowd’s come-uppance. As Novak stated in the after-match interview, when
the crowd yelled “Roger” I heard “Novak”.
Novak
Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have been my favourites forever…..all three
superb players, they have given such
great joy to viewers, over so many years, through their sheer genius. One wants
to see a battle of talent, a balance of artistry, which is what normally
happens when two of these are playing against each other, and triumphing on the
basis of who scored more winners, not a virtuoso routing a weaker opponent, as
happens when they play in the opening rounds.
For whatever
reasons the English crowd preferred the Swiss, over the Wimbledon defending
champion Djokovic, how hurt Novak was, showed through his expressionless face
on winning. None of the falling to the ground, covering one’s face etc. all he
did was look joyously towards his own team. As is his greatness he thanked the
ground and the heavens, but refrained from his customary greeting to the
audience after every win, where he spreads his arms, turning in all four
directions, showering love and gratitude.
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