In this life, people let you down. It is how they let you down that matters. Some do so unwittingly; unavoidably; without malice. Then, there are those who have an agenda; who do so deliberately, for their own gain. Caught out, they hit back but there is no way back. For the terms of betrayal determine the route to forgiveness – or not. As those who cheat will cheat again, so those who knowingly let you down will knowingly do so again. Just good to know they stick together. Like minds …
As Wimbledon draws to an end for another year, once more, it has highlighted qualities which are rapidly disappearing in a world of ego and disconnection: sportsmanship, manners, consideration, kindness, to name but a few but, also, courage. Courage. If asked to list the qualities I value most, courage would be a forerunner. ‘Courage maketh the man’. No truer words. ‘He who is brave is free’ (Seneca). Again, so true. However, more than that, courage is pivotal to character, itself … Take Becca. I shall never forget one of her early parties as a little girl; she must have been all of six, maybe. One of the games was question-based and, depending on whether the answer was ‘yes’ or ‘no, the children had to run to the end of the hall or, alternatively, stay put. Even now, I remember this pivotal moment as clear as day … ‘Can a penguin fly?’. Every one of those little girls ran, desperate to follow the crowd. Becca, however, stood still, correct in the knowledge that penguins cannot fly. She was the only one. She looked hesitant, unsure of her decision, be that all her friends seemed to think otherwise, but, bravely, that little six-year-old believed in herself enough to stand her ground – and she was right. That’s my girl! Becca, then, is Becca, still. So brave. So strong. So courageous in everything she does. Intelligent and an independent thinker, she will never follow the crowd for the sake of it. Her brother, too, shares her strength of character and her courage. An old soul on young shoulders, he is one of the few – if any, today – who, rewind eighty-six years, would have been brave enough and selfless enough to take up arms and defend his country. Those of his ilk are a rarity, now, and, moreover, this is no longer a country worthy of sacrifice …
Why was I thinking about courage? Well, let’s face it, to walk out on Centre Court, alone, requires great inner strength but I suppose, for me, it’s Djokovic who will forever epitomise courage. Looking back, I think he was one of the first players whom we were privileged to see when, in 2012, we were lucky enough to get tickets for the Men’s Quarter Finals. Sitting on Court One, I can no longer remember his opponent and, in truth, I was no great Djokovic fan. His talent, of course, was undeniable but … That all changed during Covid as he stood firm, refusing to take the experimental vaccine, despite the threat to his career. As a player, he stood alone; a lone voice; the only one with the guts! Journalist, Amol Rajan, interviewed him re his stance in February 2022, only serving to augment my dislike for Amol Rajan who, basically, mocked/belittled Djokovic’s decision. You’re prepared to forego future slams and damage your career because you refuse to take a vaccine? You’re an anti-vaxxer? Djokovic, eloquent and fiercely intelligent, explained that nothing is more important than one’s health and what one puts into one’s body. Being an experimental vaccine, devoid of long-term data, he was not prepared to acquiesce for any career. My hero – and fast forward to 2025 and the benefit of hindsight, Amal, and who was right?
It is Saturday, as I continue, and sadly, yesterday evening, I watched Djokovic’s defeat at the hands of Sinner in the semi-finals. Physically impaired by an injury in the late stages of his previous match, it was an uncharacteristic performance from Novak. That said, Sinner – fifteen years his junior – played incredibly and would, perhaps, have been an indomitable opponent for the fittest of adversaries. Gracious as ever, though, Djokovic gave little credit to his injury, merely citing the toll of his advancing years in the face of Sinner’s mastery. Thankfully, he plans to return next year for what, truly, may prove his final farewell. How lucky were we to see him! One of the greatest who proved his strength and courage were not limited to the court.
To be honest, Wimbledon has lacked its usual ooomph this year. Yes, there is the inevitable changing of the guard – although, I am growing accustomed to Alcaraz and Sinner – but it’s more than that … Clare Balding is definitely no Sue Barker but she merely tips the surface of the wokeness which has crept in. Isa Guha? She’s a cricket commentator! Then, there’s Qasa Alom, the journalist who now fronts the evening highlights, Today at Wimbledon. Enough said. No connection to tennis whatsoever but, let’s face it, ticking BBC boxes, as does Rishi Prasad. Wimbledon – Wimbledon – is worthy of more; at the very least those with a connection to tennis! Dan Maskell would be turning in his grave … and that’s before any mention of the Z-list ‘celebrities’ piling into the Royal Box – with the exception of the worthy, Hugh Grant, of course! Oh, and did I mention the fact that the women are all wearing the same Nike dress this year? Another giant step in the name of cloning. Makes it simpler that the surnames all sound the same, too. Help! One would think I wasn’t a fan … Last negative? I missed the women’s final this afternoon (4pm?) but it was over in 59 minutes, 6:0, 6:0. While one can’t help but feel for poor Anisimova, one has to question – and I always have – the equal prize money for men and women. Bottom line is the men play five sets – and may be on the court for as many hours – and the women, three. Fifty-nine minutes!
Quintessentially British, that little pocket of SW19 remains/remained my sanctuary, steadfast in its upholding of tradition, sportsmanship, etiquette, elegance, style – and manners! Forever, my summer. I was lucky enough to go to a school which upheld all the above; believed them important and instilled them in us, as did my parents. Wimbledon tried so hard to cling on but, sadly, it, too, is succumbing to a world which doesn’t care; a world in which money is God and those who have it – remember the saying – do not feel the need to adhere to the standards or values of the past. Woke has encroached. As Tony Blair’s classless society continues to erode the foundations of this country, The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club is powerless to withstand. One day soon it will remain in name only. For now, though, there are still players who have grown up to revere the oldest tournament in the world for everything it stands for and, as the great Centre Court awaits an epic Men’s Final between Alcaraz and Sinner, I take comfort in the courage of Djokovic, the kindness of Sinner as he helped Dimitrov pack his bag, defeated by injury, the manners of both he and Alcaraz and the demand for sportsmanship which, in 2025 at least, remains …
‘If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same …’
Rudyard Kipling, If.
Yes, I know, I’m repeating myself but …
My wish? That nobody had to lose.
This is Trish, signing off.
