Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Thousands of arduous fans, braving torrential storms, tried to turn Henman Hill into Murray’s Mound, yet the Scotsman had a mountain to climb as he faced Roger Federer.
Murray may have had the benefit of the roof on Centre Court to save him from the elements, yet there was no protection on the ground as Federer’s forehand rained down around him.
As the roof closed it was almost as if someone was bringing the curtain down on Murray’s chances. Without the wind to disrupt his serve Federer re-appeared after the rain break like a breath of fresh air.
Suddenly there was more movement in his feet as he danced around any shot from Murray that lacked width and pummelled Murray into submission.
There were signs of the ‘old Murray’ as his shoulders slumped and he clutched at various parts of his aching body, before unleashing a series of raucous cries, trying three times in quick succession to overturn correct line-calls.
As Federer, below, came closer to Championship Point the crowd did their best to lift Murray, at times generating volumes more akin to Wembley Stadium than Wimbledon. However, it was all in vane as Federer claimed his record-extending 17th Grand Slam and paraded the gleaming Wimbledon trophy for a record-equalling seventh time.
Early on, Murray, above, was dominant although the game ebbed and flowed. Britain had not had a home finalist since Bunny Austin in 1938 yet Murray hared out of the starting blocks, breaking Federer in the first game. Yet he quickly conceded his advantage, only to find his inner resolve in time to clinch the first set. Back came Federer, only to then allow Murray to regain the initiative.
Many claimed that Murray’s fortunes changed when the rain came. Yet it came just before that. With Murray’s game in the ascendency and Federer making a large number of unforced errors, Murray inexplicably exploded in his final service game of the second set to hand Federer a way back into the Championship. You could sense the mood change.
In truth, Federer possessed too much guile and class, reproducing some of his best tennis. At crucial times it was Federer who created stunningly inventive shots that had those court-side drooling while Murray’s first serve went missing.
Murray looked to the heavens for inspiration, although it was Federer’s star that shone the brightest. With the roof closed the rain could not mask Murray’s tears.
This singles’ title is the last one left standing for Britain after Jonny Marray lifted the men’s doubles title, banishing 76 years of pain. Andy’s brother, Jamie, still retains the family’s Wimbledon bragging rights after lifting the mixed crown in 2007 with Jelena Jankovic.
It’s difficult to ignore the synergies between the men’s and women’s finals. Both were contested by a former champion, returning after several years battling serious injury and father time.
The ladies’ Rosewater Dish returned to the grateful hands of Serena Williams who dominated a match that pitted power against elegance. The power of Serena is immense. Her second serve averages an astonishing 85mph, ahead of most men and only 3mph behind Andy Murray. Her first serve amassed 102 aces in the tournament and it was behind this that she blasted through the first set.
Yet, in the second, the game turned as Agnieska Radwanska dug deep, bent low and fought her way back into the game. When Serena allowed her to rally, this Pole danced and skipped across the court, eschewing grace and imagination.
The second set was no more than Radwanska deserved, although it simply encouraged Serena to raise her game, and power, to speed to the title.
It’s remarkable to think that the Williams name has appeared 15 times in the final over the last 13 competitions. Venus was there to encourage her all the way from the family box.
Serena’s fortunes could not have contrasted more with those of her sister, beaten in the first round, yet they combined to win the doubles, pictured left, leaving them each holding five singles and five doubles titles in SW19. Never have the victors’ high fives been more appropriate!
