Wimbledon
June 30, 2008 on 9:49 pm | In Happenings, Inspired by Others, News | 12 CommentsI just finished watching the Murray/Gasquet match on TV, and I think it’s safe to say that I’ve never been so inspired by watching sport in my life. It was incredible tennis from both players, a lot of nail-biting moments, beautifully played rallies and edge-of-your-seat points. Just phenomenal, and Murray had a phenomenal comeback to go with it from two sets down to winning 3-2. I’ll admit I felt a bit for Gasquet – he was totally on his game for the first two sets and played very well indeed, but the crowd and the length of the game began to get on top of him and I don’t envy his position playing the villain. Despite a few complaints to the umpire he took it well enough and was graceful ( or as graceful as it is possible to be in the face of such disappointment) at the end of the match – I have a great deal of respect for the man.
Fantastic, both of them. A gripping match, and one I’m very glad the referee didn’t call off because of the fading light – to end the game there and resume the next day would have been criminal. Murray seems to have matured a bit from the last time I watched a game of his, aside from his vaguely primal yelling, and I wish him all the best in his next match against Nadal, as hard as it may appear from the here and now.
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“he was totally on his game for the first two sets…”
He was totally on his game until Murray broke him back to make it 5-5 in the third set! And while there was some stunning tennis on both sides, I couldn’t help feeling that in the end, Gasquet lost it (through all those double faults and net hits) rather than Murray winning it, which is a bit of a shame. I missed the fourth set altogether through travelling from A to B – so annoying! Still, Nadal? Yeah…!
Spot the Wimbledon enthusiast :D
Comment by Lucy — July 1, 2008 #
I never watch tennis and I couldn’t stop! We watched the full 3 hours and 57 minutes.. and loved every minute.
Shame I’m at work during the day!!
Comment by Em — July 1, 2008 #
“…never been so inspired by watching sport in my life…”
Going 2 sets down is inspiring? :-p
No, Michael Schumacher in the 1994 Grand Prix. Now that is inspiring…
(he was in the lead, until his car stuck in 5th gear fairly early on. He finished second and set the 4th fastest lap of the race, the fastest being one he set before the gearbox packed in. Oh, and he had a pitstop – still in 5th gear.
</geek>
I’m with Lucy, anyway; Gasquet lost it more than Murray winning. Oh, and did anyone else think the behaviour of the crowd was awful for a tennis match? Sure, support the guy if you must (and I don’t know why you would, there are coral reefs with more personality than Andy Murray), but don’t go over the top. Going ape because he won a point is a bit extreme…
Comment by Dickie — July 1, 2008 #
It’s the home-crowd thing, Dickie, isn’t it? I reckon that’s what turned the match around for Murray and gave him the momentum. It’s not fair exactly and I always feel a bit bad for the British guy’s opponent when the crowd cheers wildly at them hitting a bad shot, but at least it’s positive energy with the crowd really caring about the tennis, which is more than can be said for some supporters at football matches. It’s just part of the whole Wimbledon tradition (- although on that note, what’s with ‘Murrayfield’?!)
And sorry to inform you of this, but I have a hunch that you aren’t going to be finding many motorsport fans amongst Callan’s friends either…
Comment by Lucy — July 1, 2008 #
I think one of my friends has a vague interest in motorsport actually, but I can’t remember who it is so it obviously didn’t register as that important!
Murray Mount wasn’t it? The synonym for Henman Hill? I’d agree with you both that Gasquet lost, but he lost in part I suspect due to the length of the match, which is a factor to be considered in playing tennis. Does that make his loss ‘more reasonable’? Not sure, but it’s worth considering. They mght have cheered when he hit a bad shot but there were some mighty good ones kicking around to be cheered from both players.
And we Brits never win our own tournament. No wonder we cheer when there is even the vaguest chance we’ll get into the semi-final! (although against Nadal? Sketchy) Gasquet would have the same advantage in the French open in the same match.
Comment by Callan — July 1, 2008 #
Murrayfield‘s in Edinburgh, innit? :-p
Irrespective of the home-crowd thing, how often we win (or not), or anything else, I thought it was a bit OTT in that match. It’s just unfair.
Oh, and I wasn’t expecting to find any motorsport fans. My point was more that (imo) sheer dominance or virtuosity (such as the example given above, or in a more tennis-related sense, Federer) is more inspiring/impressive than some cocky Scot limping through the first half of a match, coming within a hair’s length of losing the thing and the suddenly deciding that on balance he’d really rather win, and bringing it back towards the end… I’d love him to get to the final, cos Federer (and it’s gonna be him, let’s face it) would just destroy him.
Comment by Dickie — July 2, 2008 #
I can’t help but dislike Murray, and I really didn’t like it when the BBC commentators were talking to Nadal they kept asking him about Murray. Murray this and Murray that, I got quite annoyed. However, Rafa was very diplomatic and I liked him all the more for it. However I want Federer to win I think…am I the only one who finds him strangely attractive in a sort of “I’m not sure why” kind of way?
As for Murray Mound…pfffft t’will always be Henman Hill to me :oD
Also, go Laura Robham. Fantastic match yesterday!
Comment by hannah — July 6, 2008 #
Murray’s no doubt a fantastic player but he doesn’t come across as a very nice person, which kinda spoils it!
I also want Federer to win, not entirely sure why. They’ve just gone off for a rain break in the fifth set…! …! And no Hannah, you’re not the only one 0:-)
Comment by Lucy — July 6, 2008 #
“I really didn’t like it when the BBC commentators were talking to Nadal they kept asking him about Murray”
lol, you should watch the ITV F1 coverage! They ask everyone what they think of Hamilton all the bloody time. Rather irritating, to say the least.
&nsbp;
Good final, eh? I wanted Federer to win as well, dunno why. Definitely not because I find him strangely attractive though :-p
Comment by Dickie — July 6, 2008 #
Excellent final :-)
Comment by Lucy — July 6, 2008 #
*makes Callan jealous*
Comment by Lucy — July 6, 2008 #
I fancy the pants off Federer. I’ll just let you know :oP fantastic final. I’d go as far to say, epic. Such a shame you missed it Callan ;o)
Comment by hannah — July 7, 2008 #