I Remember, 26 years ago… – July 7th, 2013 4:58 pm

 

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It’s times like these I miss working as a network sports anchor.  If I were still plying this trade, I would no doubt be harkening back to exactly what happened 26 years ago.

First, let’s recount what happened shortly after Andy Murray swept aside world number one Novak Djokovic in today’s men’s final at Wimbledon.

Surely, the Scot’s head was spinning as he walked towards the players’ box, mere seconds into life as a Grand Slam Champion.  Murray climbed up and proceeded to shake hands with the few people who truly shared in this momentous occasion.  And then, he proceeded to jump back down on to the court for the start of the championship ceremony.  But, not before remember who was the one person who was there from the very beginning; his mother.

Turning around, Murray locked eyes with his mum, walked towards her, and embraced his flesh and blood only as a mother and son could.

As I watched, I welled up a bit.  And then, I couldn’t help remember what happened back in the ’87 Wimbledon final.  After all, it was that men’s final that kickstarted what would become a tradition; tennis players clumsily bounding over fans in the stands towards access to the player’s box for the heartfelt hugs with family and friends.  I’ll never forget watching Pat Cash jog over to the stands and then begin fumbling towards a sweet encounter with his father.

I’ll also never forget the angst I felt for Cash’s opponent.  But at the time, I didn’t know that it would have been Ivan Lendl’s last kick at the can at winning at the All-England Club.

As a player, the Wimbledon championship was the only Grand Slam that eluded Lendl.  But, to an extent, we can add Lendl’s name to the list.

Ivan Lendl is the coach of Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray.

What must have been going through Lendl’s mind as he watched his protégée remember to go back and thank mum after climbing the mountain?

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I would have loved laying this stuff out on Sportsnet.