Wimbledon Fever

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Bethan Morgan

Sunday, 30 June, 2013 - 15:21

It’s that time of year again: Wimbledon is back on our screens, everyone has gone tennis mad and the weather has taken a turn for the worse (although saying that, as I write this the sun is in fact shining). That’s right, it’s the two weeks of the year when the sports channels and the news are taken over by men and women in white outfits playing for that all important space on the winner’s board.

It’s always funny how just before, then during the tournament and for a little while after the local tennis courts are fully booked every day, with everyone thinking that if the people they are watching on TV can do it and make it look so easy, then why can’t we? And I’m exactly the same. I have been playing tennis for 17 years now so I am no stranger to the game, but every year in June when Wimbledon starts that urge to play just comes creeping back. You can see why it’s called a fever.

This year’s tournament has already shaped itself to be an exciting one (not that it isn’t exciting usually, of course). The main contenders have been knocked out in the early rounds, giving others a chance for the title. Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova are all out of the running, so the path is now open for the likes of Andy Murray to come storming through. What is a shame, though, is that even though you would expect British people to be happy that their best chance of victory now has a relatively easy journey, that is not the case. There have been many cases of people claiming that if Murray does win, it will only be because of the fact that the big hitters are out, and not because of his own abilities. I think this is extremely unfair – yes, I agree that he now has an easier set of opponents however that doesn’t mean that he couldn’t have won against the better ones otherwise.

Wimbledon is a great way to encourage more people to get out and do sports, or simply to support whoever it is that is representing their country, but I think it is a shame that this ‘fever’ only seems to last as long as the tournament itself. Tennis is a really enjoyable sport which anyone can have a go at. So next time you’re stuck for something to do and fancy getting outside (or inside if you live in the UK) then grab your racket and have a good rally. And believe me, it’s a perfect stress reliever too!

Discussion

Do you follow Wimbleon? Have you experienced Wimbledon fever?