The British love their tennis. Specifically, their Wimbledon tennis. For two weeks each summer, the country turns its collective eye to The Championships in Southwest London, where strawberries and cream are washed down with Pimm’s Cups across the hallowed grounds.
What the British especially love is to cheer for one of their own, and ultimately to cheer for one of their own to win the tournament. Andy Murray, after a 36-year wait on the women’s side and an interminable 77-year wait for the men, finally overcame the host nation’s pressure and gave them that opportunity.
That Murray broke through in the era of Federer-Nadal-Djokovic made it even more special. In the final, Murray stopped No. 1 seed Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4. It took Murray four agonizing match points to close it out, and when he finally did, a nation rejoiced.
MORE: Back to The Sporting News’ 140 Greatest Sports Moments of All Time
SN COVERS: Check out all the classics from Ty Cobb to Kobe Bryant
SN ARCHIVE: Relive sports history through the pages of The Sporting News
Read the full article here