Fred who?

Ever since 1936, when the late Fred Perry won his third consecutive Wimbledon men's tennis championship, male British tennis players have struggled under the burden and intense pressure of trying to emulate the feat of becoming Wimbledon champion.  A few have got close, notably Tim Henman who reached four Wimbledon semi-finals.  In recent years the burden has fallen on the broad shoulders of Andy Murray.  He fell one hurdle short in the 2012 championships, when he was beaten in the final by tennis great Roger Federer.  The immense hurt and disappointment of that loss was clear to see in Murray's tearful post-match speech.  Although Murray was roundly criticised in the press for letting his emotions get the better of him, it may have been that incident which led so a softening in the British public's attitude towards Murray.  They saw past his apparently dour persona to something of the man underneath.

Certainly by the time this year's final arrived, the public seemed firmly in the Murray camp as he strode out to face world number 1 player Novak Djokovic.  Some time ago we had rearranged the second service at one of my churches to start at the earlier time of 4pm on 7 July.  I didn't realise at the time that it would clash with the Murray v Djokovic final!  Fortunately the match turned out to be such an epic and hard fought event that it was still going when we arrived back from church.  That last game was an agony to watch, swinging as it did first one way and then the other, until finally Murray threw off the shackles of 77 years of disappointment by overcoming his dogged opponent.

Murray later paid tribute to Djokovic, who he described as "one of the biggest fighters in tennis".  Even though the match was won in straight sets, it was no easy thing for Murray to gain victory.  Murray himself described it as an "unbelievably tough match."  So how did Murray manage to achieve what no other British man has been able to do since 1936?  Obviously he has great talent.  It is equally clear that he has immense determination: the way he kept battling when he was not doing so well was a tremendous example and inspiration.  But great personal skill and determination alone would not have accomplished victory.

In Andy Murray's post-match speech he paid great tribute to the team who had supported him: "they've been through everything with me ... stuck by me in a lot of tough moments.'  In particular, Murray mentioned coach Ivan Lendl, himself a former tennis grand-slam event winner.  Perhaps Lendl's own experience of several several losing grand-slam finals before eventually becoming a winner enabled him to empathise with Murray's own situation.

I must admit that I have found myself warming to Andy Murray as he seems to have opened up a bit this year, not least through the excellent BBC programme which Sue Barker did with him.  Certainly I admire and am inspired by his tenacity and devotion to achieving his goals.  I believe also that in paying tribute to those who has supported him and helped him through the tough times he has reminded us all of how vital it is that we find those who will support and encourage us.  

There are obvious parallels with the Christian journey.  There are times in our Christian life when the going is tremendously tough.  When Church is working as it should, we can find there the support and encouragement we need in the hard times.  The writer of the New Testament letter to the Hebrews challenges, 'let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.'  I know that I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to family and friends who have been there for me over the years; I couldn't have managed without them.

So well done Andy, thanks for the inspiration, and for the reminder that we all need to surround ourselves with the right people if we want to achieve in life.