Federer wins the game; Murray wins hearts

Yes, Federer won. The master orchestrated another brilliant game, but there wouldn’t be a single soul whose heart didn’t go out to Andy Murray. Bearing the pressure of the entire nation, Murray broke down after the game and so did everyone at Centre Court. Britain’s 76-year long wait to produce a home-grown Wimbledon winner continues, and that emotion was on display for everyone to see on Centre Court.

One’s heart goes out to Murray when he put up a fight against the effortless Federer. No one gave the 30-year-old a strong chance to win the Wimbledon for a record equaling 7th time, but the master athlete answered his critics in style. The battle was more like a mortal trying to put up a fight against the supreme skills of the demigod. Once the roof closed post the rain, Federer was in his stride and never gave a chance to Murray to come back.

Winding up the game in 4 sets, the simple smile shone on Federer’s face. But Murray’s emotion after the loss was inexpressible and would have brought tears to anybody. How can someone be that strong not to break down after watching him? Murray in all humility, accepted defeat and congratulated the man of the day. The demeanor Murray carried, won him millions of hearts all over the world. He is a young man who does not wilt under pressure, but comes out again and again to make his country proud. “I’m sure that Murray will win one Grand Slam in his career,” an encouraging statement by Federer, in a way draws a clear line between the two. Federer, perhaps rightly so, believes that Murray isn’t close to his class yet and Murray knows that.

Having lost four Grand Slam finals at the age of 25, certainly comes in as a huge blow. Recovering from a loss, especially at a Wimbledon final in front of your home audience, takes a lot of courage. The fatigue is more mental than physical and the sheer agony of it makes you want to root for Murray. Why couldn’t he have won? Well everyone has their battles to win (Federer equalled Sampras’ record of 7 Wimbledon wins) but at the end of the day, one always wants their battle to be the biggest one. Murray lost, but his battle is bigger in the eyes of people today.

I wanted him to win and so would have many others but as Vijay Amritraj put it, “Andy Murray will be back.”