I enjoy sport. Wow, that's the last thing I ever expected myself to say. If you asked me only 5 months ago my views on sport, I would've spat my tea in your face and said ''There's your answer!'' I had never enjoyed sport. Genes and a lack of enthusiasm decided that I wouldn't find any pleasure in P.E, only feel humiliation on dreaded Sports Day and above all express pure, utter, foul contempt for anything to do with the rotten thing. At least that's what I thought. So why did I change my views? What changed my views from utter horror to tolerance and somewhat enjoyment? Well, it all starts with something you may have heard of called Wimbledon.
Wimbledon. A legendary, sporting competition. Every summer for 2 weeks, top tennis players engage in intense, hard and sometimes brutal games in order to become Wimbledon champion. The majority of people have heard of it, even if they express no interest in tennis, which was my position for many years. For as long as I remember, the British have rooted for Andy Murray, the current No. 2 in the world, to be the champion. My first memory of Wimbledon was watching him lose the 2012 final to Roger Federer. I wasn't really paying attention though - too busy on my computer. It was a great moment when he won in 2013. I'd just finished doing a play and my Dad, beaming, told me. Obviously, it was excellent news for Britain - the first British Wimbledon champion for 77 years, but I wasn't over excited about it. One of the main reason I've enjoyed watching tennis has been the interest of seeing my family play it. Personally, I cannot play the game for toffee, but love the tactics, rules and entertainment behind it. When it therefore came around to Wimbledon this year, I thought I'd give it a go. Very good decision, myself. Due to matches lasting a rather long time and sometimes live while I'm at school, my main entertainment and catch-up for each day of play is 'Today at Wimbledon' on BBC2. This is an excellent show that studies some of the best points of various matches. It manages to balance overall analysis with viewing really successfully, which is more than can be said for other sport shows. Clare Balding is a legendary presenter, and really makes you feel involved, whatever your tennis understanding. The commentators for matches are normally former tennis players, meaning they understand all the shots, points, what the player's strategy may be, and how they are feeling. It really helps to have expert comment guiding you through the matches instead of crazy 'GOOOOOOOAL' screaming. The rise of the underdog has been brilliant at Wimbledon. Though I will always back Andy Murray, seeing a player, barely known, beat one of the best in the world is always amazing, both for the player, the viewer and the development of tennis as a sport. Before Wimbledon, people believed Novak Djokovic, World No. 1, would be guaranteed a place in the finals, yet he lost in the 3rd round. Though people clearly wanted him to achieve, a player at the start of his career going forward in the tournament couldn't not be welcomed. Roger Federer, World No. 3, was also defeated in the semi finals. This means that Andy Murray has a greater chance of victory in the final tomorrow, but from the shock departures this year, who really knows? In Tennis, the points are always changing, meaning various sections of the game can be on a knife edge in terms of the overall winner. Deuce is a particular favourite, where both players are on 40-40,have to win an advantage, and then another point to win that game. Even better when a player has the advantage, but fails to win the point, meaning it's back to 40-40. Deuces could quite literally go on forever. (Andy Murray won Wimbledon on his 4th deuce, when he finally won the advantage!) Players are usually meant to win their service game, so one player breaking another always raises tension. Tiebreaks are a classic, when both players are on 6-6 and have to win 7 points. Points to win the match, and the championship, amaze everyone. In other sports, the only intense part is trying to score a goal, or get the ball in the hoop. With tennis, there is so much more. Clearly, sport is something that lots passionately watch and play. What makes us want to watch instead of/and play? For lots it's entertainment, enjoyment and a real connection and commitment with a team or player. Though some may not be physically able at sport, it's a part of culture that can be watched and enjoyed by everyone, including myself. In that sense, sport really is inclusive.
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