By Ben Jacobs
My earliest tennis memories are similar to those of the majority of other British tennis fans, one word, Wimbledon. Yes we have had summers which have been near wash-outs, who can forget when Cliff Richard sung “I’m singing in the rain†just to keep the fans entertained during yet another lengthy rain break. However, what sticks in my mind are images of long sunny days, green grass and, of course, the ubiquitous strawberries with cream.
One of my earliest memories of a Wimbledon final was Richard Krajicek’s victory over American Malivai Washington. I recall desperately wanting Washington to win as I had been unhappy with Krajicek disposing of one of my favourites, Pete Sampras, in the previous round.
Tim Henman’s endless quest for a grand slam title, especially a Wimbledon title sticks out in my mind as well. Year after year we thought Tim would finally do it only to come unstuck in the semi-finals. Henman was a terrific player with a crowd pleasing style who took far too much unnecessary criticism from people who are more likely to pick up a pint glass than a tennis racket. The fact that he played in an era with Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and a prime Leyton Hewitt was pure misfortune.
Part of what attracts me to tennis is similar to that which draws me to boxing, one on one competition. The best versus the best, whilst in boxing that is not always the case, in tennis there is no option!
My actual playing career cannot be described as illustrious. Ask any fellow Brit how difficult it is to play on free courts whilst growing up, unlike football, (soccer) tennis is not the type of sport which anyone can play, at least not in this country. However these days you will find me occasionally on the only clay courts (apparently) in London, at least when the weather is half decent.
So being a British tennis fan is not easy but I shall continue to keep the faith, and I do firmly believe that Andy Murray will soon deliver a grand slam title and then go on to capture perhaps three or four more.
Ben Jacobs is a professional translator and freelance boxing journalist for Boxing News weekly magazine based in London. He attended Birkbeck, University of London where he studied Spanish and Portuguese. This year Ben will begin a Masters degree in journalism.
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dan markowitz · February 10, 2011 at 12:34 am
Ben, thanks for the piece. I do think you’re dreaming about Murray. After the bomb he threw in a couple of weeks ago, I think he’s going to be one of those Rios-like players, who never get to drink from the silver cup.
I lived in London for a semester in the 80’s, Earl’s Court, and even though I was more a basketball player then than tennis, I was amazed how I couldn’t find a single court in London. Actually, there were some in Earl’s Court, but you had to pay pretty much to play on them.
Is tennis pretty much still a private club game in England?
Ben · February 10, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Hi Dan!
Yes it’s very hard to play in London, there aren’t that many courts and the ones available are fairly expensive. And then we wonder why we don’t produce many good players…
Scoop Malinowski · February 10, 2011 at 10:31 pm
I played on some free courts within a mile of Big Ben which was near our hotel back about 5 years ago, last time in London, can’t recall the name of the park. The courts were okay, not exactly new but it was a pretty nice park. Do you know of those courts Ben, They were within a mile of the Waterloo station.
Ben · February 10, 2011 at 11:42 pm
I believe so Scoop, it may have been a park near the Imperial War Museum, they have some pay for courts around there but also I think there are some free ones, concrete surface?
Scoop Malinowski · February 11, 2011 at 12:08 am
A fast concrete surface too, kind of faded lines, well worn courts, about 3 or 4 Ben. Was really surprised to find them in downtown London area. Nice green park too. Brings back nice memories of London, ahhh.
Ben · February 11, 2011 at 12:34 am
You’re due a trip back Scoop 🙂 London’s only nice in the summer though!
P.S. I picked Baghdatis as a dark horse at the Australian open and he didn’t go far but he’s having a good week in Holland.