World of Chig   

8.7.07
Brit wins Wimbledon!

Yes, it's true! After exactly twenty years, we have a British Wimbledon champion! Well done to Jamie Murray and his Serbian partner Jelana Jankovic (left), who have just won the mixed doubles final 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

The last Brits to win anything at Wimbledon were Jo Durie and Jeremy Bates (below), who won the same competition in 1987. They were also the last Brits to win any Grand Slam title before today, with the Australian Open back in 1991.

Who would have thought that Jamie would win a Wimbledon title before brother Andy? I believe Jelena promised to kiss Jamie "all over" if they won. Yuk. (But I bet he can't wait.)

Hurrah! The Brits* are coming! (Eventually.)



Congratulations as well to Roger Federer for winning his fifth successive Wimbledon earlier and equalling Björn Borg's run, in front of the iceman himself, visiting the men's finals day for the first time since 1981. Nadal made it a brilliant match; it was a shame someone had to lose. One day, Rafa, one day. What a treat it was earlier to see the Holy Trinity of Borg, Connors and McEnroe together on centre court. Those three were Wimbledon when I was growing up and playing a bit of tennis (badly). For eleven consecutive years (1974-84), at least one of those three was in the Wimbledon final, such was their dominance of the game.

I thought the Wimbledon organisers were mad not to play last Sunday to catch up on the days lost to rain, but the Championships have miraculously ended on time today.

*Note to Scottish readers:
The Murray brothers will be 'British' for as long as they're successful. The moment they show any signs of failure, they will revert to being 'Scottish'. That's just the way it works. You should be used to it by now.

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