Final Set: Wimbledon 2012

Spiritual Story by Keith Beasley

“Nine games all, final set”.

As Rodderer and Feddic made their way to their respective chairs their paths crossed at the net. As they got closer to each other their pace slowed and they looked at each other keenly. They stopped. The packed Centre Court crowd went quiet, suspecting a subtle psyching out of the combatants, not wanting to miss a thing. They were not disappointed. Surprised yes, shocked even, but not disappointed by the drama of what happened next . . .

The final two contenders for the greatest tennis prize of them all seemed to be grinning slightly . . . at each other. They then nodded wisely and offered a hand to the other, shaking it warmly. Before the stunned crowd could utter even a gasp of astonishment the two men, racquets dropped to the ground, were in a firm hug of such mutual respect and admiration that the audience were still too moved to react. Even John McEnroe in the BBC commentators box was at a loss for words.

It was, or at least seemed like, some minutes before any sound could be heard from the hushed grounds of London, SW19. Then, slowly at first, a warm, appreciative, applause began from one corner of the stands. The sound expanded in depth and breadth until the whole arena was resonating in a thunder of thanks. The players responded by holding each others hands aloft in a shared victory salute.

The next to move was the umpire. Quickly descending from his chair he rushed to meet the match referee who was dashing purposefully around the baseline. They gesticulated to each other then nodded, careful not to let slip any words the net mics might pick up. Ascended back into his position the umpire cleared his throat into his microphone:

“Ladies and gentlemen. Please.”

Reluctantly the noise of the throng died down and they waited with baited breath for the official verdict.

“Set, match and championship tied. The 2012 Wimbledon Mens Champions are Rodderer and Feddic”

The two players once again held each others arms aloft and smiled, as much with relief. At last the world of sport had been able to admit: there CAN be more than one winner.