FOR most, 2016 has been hugely disappointing. After a seemingly endless number of celebrity deaths, unanticipated election results and another miserable start to the national football team’s World Cup qualifying campaign, it is hard to argue that this year has been anything other than one to forget.
However, for two brothers from Dunblane, 2016 has been nothing short of spectacular.
Tennis champions Andy and Jamie Murray have proven that with constant dedication to a discipline and a strong mentality, anything is possible.
The pair have become the first brothers to simultaneously hold the world number one spots in the singles and doubles categories. Eldest brother Jamie has soared to the top after only one season playing with Brazilian Bruno Soares, a feat only ever achieved by two other teams.
As for his younger sibling, Andy’s 24-match winning streak has been a mesmerising depiction of the true grit and determination required to conquer a sport. Aside from the obvious physical requirements necessary to become the best man with a racquet on the planet, attitude is a majorly undervalued skill not only in tennis but in sport overall.
Despite being the first British tennis player to reach the top three rankings, critics of Andy Murray have been constant throughout his professional career.
Although he was able to mix it with the three greats of the best era of the sport in Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, his opponents would take advantage of his self-loathing mentality, which above all was his biggest weakness.
Even his previous coach (one of several) Amelie Mauresmo recently described him as “confusing” and “complex” to work with, however similar to other doubters she fails to realise just how much he has sacrificed in order to be amongst the world’s elite.
From moving to a Spanish training academy at 15, to bouncing back from that heart-breaking Wimbledon final defeat in 2012, Murray’s willingness to keep on fighting in the face of adversity has proved to be the catalyst for greater things.
Undoubtedly the emotionless and unfazed persona of current coach Ivan Lendl has helped shape Murray into the ruthless competitor that he is. Similarly to Andy, Lendl went through the same agonising pain of losing four Grand Slam finals before eventually winning his first.
By becoming a parent, Murray can also now fully appreciate how difficult it was for his family to see him leave home at such a premature age and realises that he was not the only one making sacrifices. None more so than mum Judy, who has been through every soul-destroying defeat her sons have suffered and got them back on the road to success.
When you compare the marvellous achievements of our tennis hero to that of our national football and rugby teams, it’s difficult to comprehend that they are from the same culture.
With rugby, Scotland have come agonisingly close to picking up some impressive results including against Wales in this year’s Six Nations. However, an inability to close out games has been their biggest downfall, costing them dearly.
The same cannot be said for our football side. It is becoming impossible to justify why our beloved country is miserably failing to qualify for major tournaments. Even when we managed to grab a draw in Dublin, the warning lights were visible as the players backed off rather than pressing for the winner.
Strong mentality within sport is a severely underrated concept, something which Scots are all too familiar with.
If our football and rugby teams could learn from their mistakes in the same manner as the magnificent Murray can, maybe we could start believing again.
Until then, if major Scottish sporting success is what you’re after, savour Dunblane’s world domination for all its worth.
Featured image – sportinglife.com
