Forgive the British for a day

Children of Dunblane Sports Club are pictured the day after Andy Murray wins Wimbledon in Dunblane

It was uncharacteristic behavior to say the least. And considering the location of the event it was outrageous. Yet the crowd at Wimbledon cheered raucously.

There were looks of sheer joy on the faces, as Andy Murray collapsed to the floor, got up and waved at every possible direction. And all the while, Novak Djokovic stood at the net for the handshake to be done with it so he could collapse into his chair after the thrilling game of tennis he displayed. It was strange indeed.

After all, the way the game had gone, especially the last service game from Murray, that was the least he deserved. To show character and energy to fight back from three championship points down against a pumped up Andy Murray, supported by what seemed to be the half of Britain watching at Wimbledon was stuff that proves why he is ranked no.1 in the world.

And the least he deserved was a quick getaway from the centrestage.

This is the Wimbledon. The all-England Tennis Association. A Grand Slam event that does not permit its player to adorn anything other than white.

Ask Roger Federer who was told off for having some blue on his shoe. And yet they cheered for Andy Murray, who jumped into the crowd, into his support-team box and hugged everyone other than his mother, though he did remember her later when someone pointed it out.

He even shook hands with Wimbledon officials and commentary box members before he shook hands with the waiting chair umpire. And not a single mention was made of the violations of the British Wimbledon ethics. Not a single eyebrow raised.

The crowd simply cheered. This is as uncharacteristic behaviour as you are ever likely to see from the Brits. But then it had been 77 years. The British are known to be a proud bunch. And for about eight decades they have silently stood witness to players coming from all over the world and being crowned champions at their very own Wimbledon- the tournament they consider to be the finest or at least the most grand event in the calender year of the game. Every blade of grass of the Centre Court reeks of history. And yet the proud Brits stood watching politely applauding the winner year after year.

Yes, today you can forgive them all. Its almost been three quarters-of-a-century spent in wait. A nation that has seen its hopes rise year after year as Andy Murray got better.

They have been egging him on. They have been behind him, and have also been on his back. So much was the eagerness that even the English, for a change were British for a day.

They showed last year that they loved him for the effort he showed. But they really stood behind him as he went for the kill on Sunday. They had their hearts in their mouths as Nole took four consecutive points to give a hint of fight back from near death, and they ignored everything he did after he won it. Yes, its their time. Their pride has been restored. And in Andy Murray’s words “Hope You Enjoyed It”.

So lets for a change forgive the British for a day.