History Was Made: Andy Murray Won Wimbledon

Many of you know I attended Wimbledon and wrote the article for The Virginian Review.  For those of you who have not seen it, I hope you enjoy it!  The article is one of my top two favorites I've written to date.

Photo of the article in the paper!

7/12/2013 2:24:00 PM
Richardson Enjoys Wimbledon History

Editor's Note:
Virginian Review writer Kirsten Richardson witnessed tennis history when she attended Sunday's Wimbledon championship during her recent trip to England.

BY KIRSTEN
RICHARDSON
Staff Writer

LONDON, England - After a 77-year drought, a British man won the Wimbledon Championship Sunday afternoon.

Scotsman Andy Murray fought physically and mentally to trump number one player Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

Crowds swarmed around The All England Club, waiting for the start of the most anticipated match, possibly of the season. Fans joined in the traditional consumption of Kentish strawberries with cream, Pimms and lemonade, and champagne with gusto, whether sitting on Henman Hill (unofficially named "Murray Mound") or inside Centre Court.

"Novak Djokovic to serve. Ready. Play." Chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani announced the commencement of the 2013 Gentlemen's Singles Final at the Wimbledon Championship.

Murray's frequently used slice, barely passing over the net tape, caused gasps to echo around Centre Court, as well as sighs of disappointment when the ball failed to catch quite enough air.

Game one of the first set of the match seemed an easy win for Murray, but at its completion, Djokovic was ahead.

Neither player lessening their fight, they battled to break each other. Murray finally passed Djokovic, winning the first set 6-4.

Djokovic, despite several tumbles, did not take runner up for lack of ability. During the second set, he fell immediately after returning a shot from Murray. Murray strained to reach the ball after the first bounce, but the placement was too well executed, pushing the score to 5-4.

Murray continued to fight, taking the second set 7-5.

Each finalist had supporters in the crowd. However, after a yell of encouragement for Djokovic, a British accent was always ready to cry, "Let's go, Andy!" The tit-for-tat banter continued through all three sets, causing ripples of laughter.

As the sets wore on, the excitement and tension levels rose. During breaks in play, tennis etiquette was replaced with deafening cheering and chanting, rivalling that of a soccer match.

The final game of the third set was excruciating. One end of the stadium started to cheer, thinking Murray had won, only to hush quickly when it was obvious he had not. Deuce, ad, deuce, ad, but it finally came to an end with Andy Murray beating Novak Djokovic in the third set 6-4.

Centre Court cheered thunderously, waving flags, pumping fists, and soaking in the emotional moment of Britain winning their own championship.

Walking toward the score board, Murray responded with an awed shock. Novak Djokovic, always a gentleman and good sportsman, walked around the net to congratulate Murray with a hug.

Crouching on the court, Murray soaked in the win before rising, crawling through fans, and standing on one of the boxes to hug his team, kiss his girlfriend and receive an emotional embrace from his mother, who he nearly passed over.

The court quickly transformed into a stage. Ball girls and boys lined the carpet where each player was interviewed. The Duke of Kent, president of The All England Club, awarded the trophies.

Sue Barker opened her interview with Djokovic saying, "Novak, you threw everything at him." His tired, but good natured, response was, "But it wasn't enough." He went on to congratulate Murray, his team, and the entire country, acknowledging how much it meant to everyone.

When the grand slam champion came up, Barker asked him, "I don't know if you realize what you've done, but how does it feel to hold that trophy now?" Murray's response caused laughter in the arena. "It feels slightly different to last year."

Barker described the last game and match point as being "tortuous to watch." Murray quipped, "Imagine playing it."

Murray congratulated Djokovic on his excellent game, saying he would go down in history as one of the great players.

He also added, regarding nearly forgetting to hug his mother, "I did forget her. I just heard her squealing when I went to get down."

The Wimbledon Men's Championship Final was attended by thousands. The stands held Prime Minister David Cameron, British sports players and celebrities, as well as loyal British fans. All shared a joy in seeing a citizen of Great Britain win the Wimbledon title.

Now, everyone awaits Andy Murray's next goal: to defend his U.S. Open title.

In a Nutshell

England is magnificent.

The first week was busy, but things are slowing dow now (yay!).

In a nutshell, I've visited Bristol, stayed with Mary, Tim, Jude, and Julia, traveled to Paris, visited Uncle Gavin's for dinner, visited the University of Oxford, seen Jude and Julia's school, and spent some time relaxing and visiting.

It's a wonderful, semi-short visit.

It's incredible how much difference experience and two and a half years makes.

But, it's funny the insecurities that arise in an environment other than the one in which you've grown up.

I'm sitting at the kitchen table, glancing periodically out to the garden, sipping a cup of tea.

One of the many things I love about England, is when you go to someone's home, typically they will offer you tea.

Anyway, today I go to Stevenage to visit lovely family.

As I was thinking about it this morning, I became very excited.

When I get back to the USA, I will post pictures and share more detailed accounts.

Until then, watch for me at Centre Court during the Men's Wimbledon Finals!

Who do you think will be there?

P.S. Any guesses when the Royal baby will arrive?

Dear Friday: Life Is Mostly Great

Junior Prom 2013
Photo by K.L.R.

Dear Friday, so glad you arrived and brought a half day of school with you!
Dear Paris, I'm coming to visit!  I am going to love you, I just know it!
Dear England, Can't wait to see you, either.  It's been too long!
Dear Life, I need a little break.  This afternoon, I will rest.
Dear French Open, please come back into my life!
Dear Spring, I think you don't like us this year.
Dear Sunshine, thank you for shining!
Dear Creation, you take my breath away.
Dear Brother, you are so grown up!  I'm glad you had fun at prom : )
Dear Students, I still think you all are great.
Dear Graduates, I'm excited for you as you step from one adventure into another!

Early Morning Calm

"Prince" Caspian
Photo by K.L.R.

The sliding door is open, Caspian is lying at it looking out, and I'm eating a yummy, refreshing breakfast (my tea needs to be warmed).

I love quiet mornings, especially in the spring and summer.
Still, morning air waking up.
A light breeze that carries the bird's chirping.
The sun not yet above the moments, thus making it permissible to stay in my pajamas a little while longer.

Relaxing early morning hours that evolve into productive mid to late mornings are bliss.
This doesn't mean I have a "To Do" list a mile long...although, it is rather lengthy.

My thoughts are wandering from the article I need to write to my pending trip to England to my dear friend in France to whether or not I'll make it to Paris.  Oh, and then there is a day trip to Oxford that would be fun.

I'm becoming more and more excited about my upcoming trip to England.

This summer is going to be amazing.
I don't think I've looked forward to an entire summer this much in quite some time.

Today I get to play tennis.
With my newly restrung racquet.
It's amazing what good strings will do.
While playing yesterday, I hit a shot--that you'd expect to go in--but when it did, I was happily surprised....and realized it was because of my awesome new strings!

Dear Friday: Teacher Appreciation, Chocolate, and Girl's Night in a Boutique

Yay for subbing on Friday of Teacher Appreciation Week!

Dear Friday, it's 11:11 and today is great.
Dear School, I don't want you to end...what will I do without my students for the summer?
Dear Sunshine, thank you for two days of you!  The rain was nice, but I'm glad you're back.
Dear Teacher Appreciation Week Inventor, you are awesome.  Chocolate fondue, strawberries, pineapple, cookies, brownies, chocolate covered pretzels, and so much more...yuuum!
Dear Jamison, we need to have girl's night more often!  Talking, chick flicks, chocolate, tea...and all in a fabulous boutique.  Yes.  The best.
Dear Life, you are still complicated, beautiful, sad, happy, and all around...wonderful and busy.
Dear England, I'm coming.
Dear Wimbledon, best birthday ever....I'm anticipating you excitedly!
Dear Weekend, I'm ready for you.

A Few Dates for Your Calendar

I've opened this page to write about three times today?  Or maybe more, if I include last night.
Nothing seems to stick.  Some things are better left to one's personal journal.

Well, a few things of note:
The Australian Open begins January 14!
Miss America is this Saturday at 9PM EST =)  (Party!)
Shows are starting to pick up the next part of their seasons (Yippee!)
And, our President will be reinstated at his inauguration on January 21, 2013!
Also, White Collar comes back January 22!!!

Speaking of 2013, anyone else forgetting to change from a 2 to a 3?
I may have written 2012 in my journal.
Imagine switching from the year 2999 to 3000.  Personally, I think it will be mind blowing.

So far this morning, I have successfully avoided that which I set out to do.
I must now go and do it.

Till next time!

History: Murray is in the Books

Yesterday was the best.
I felt a jittery excitement until almost nine o'clock last night.
The feeling returned this morning, slightly curbed.

Unless you know me well or are a tennis enthusiast, you may be asking yourself why?

Four o'clock yesterday afternoon, Andy Murray of Great Britain (by way of Scotland) and Novak Djokovic of Serbia walked into Arthur Ashe Stadium to battle each other in the U.S. Open Men's Final.  Unbeknownst to the millions of viewers and listeners around the world, the match would become the longest in U.S. Open history and Andy Murray would win his first Grand Slam and become the first British male to win a Grand Slam since 1936.

It was an excruciating match that had my blood pressure much higher than normal.  My cousin Jess was awake in England listening to the match as she and I chatted back and forth on Facebook, at times rejoicing and others commiserating.

I was anticipating tears of joy and excitement when he won.  However, no tears came.  Just pure excitement, and wondering whether or not the Queen stayed up to watch the match.

Murray's initial response to winning was a refreshing change from the typical falling on the ground done by many winners.  He internalized and tried to wrap his mind around it.  He played excellently, and made me proud to be partially British!

Today I am still happy, excited, and looking forward to Wimbledon next year!

Found here

I love the joy on his mom's and GF's faces!

So proud!

This is a sweet picture!

My Close-to-Obsession

I am elated.
I'm already planning next years Wimbledon excursion with my lovely cousin, Jess (and perhaps my father).

But, for more immediate excitement, the U.S. Open Men's Final is THIS afternoon!
I will be glued to my television cheering madly for Andy Murray as he battles Djokovic for his first Grand Slam win.

Found here

Pools, Bible Songs, Children, and a bus ride ; )

Today...all I can say is I am tired!  
I had a delicious breakfast!  Grampaw would have been proud...I easily got into my hard boiled egg that I ate with Marmite on toast.  I also had tea and toast with apricot jam (not really marmalade).  Needless to say it was scrumptious!

Then...what did I do then...oh, well, I watched some tennis (of course), the kids played outside, and I made lunch (rather yummy sandwiches if I do say so myself).  When Mary got back from shopping she had bought a little wading pool.  It needed to be blown up....guess who got that job?  Yup, me.  Wasn't too bad...just took a lot of air!
So, I thought...ohhh they will play in the pool=I need to watch and make sure no one drowns=I will be in the sun=my legs will get tan=so did not happen.  I am telling you...England is like that Marshmallow WAY above the flames so it takes forever to get any color (and yes, I will be teaching science one day ; P).
Anyway, afterwards we went inside and THEN I went downtown via bus.  Ok, I hopped on (the right bus this time) and the only available seats could not be gotten to or were backwards so I walked to the back and sat in a backwards seat.  I was facing three people and decided that instead of sitting there in uncomfortable and expected silence I decided to say hi (yes, Daddy, to three strangers).  Oh, if only I had known...my one friendly, "How are you doing?" started this man into a monologue the length of the bus ride.  He went from talking about something I could not understand to talking about this girl who at age 15 was on the street smoking and doing drugs to talking about these people and their street addresses, etc. (he may have mentioned a war....I don't remember).  The man sitting next to him began to tell him to "shhh...I don't want to listen to you."  That was funny!  Well this man had a cane and when the lady in the seat a bit in front of him moved I took her chair....wondering if I was going to get  bop on the head with a cane from a slightly strange man.  Well, he then started walking the bus and even the bus driver looked back....FINALLY I see my bus stop coming up.  I hit the "stop"button and the man gets off TOO...BUT he went the other direction : ) *sigh of relief*.  I then ran my errand (aka bought a birthday present), put my letters in the post, had an uneventful ride home and continued my afternoon.  That included watching a rerun of Federer's sad lost to Soderling (booo).  I was somehow hoping for a different outcome....no such thing was to happen.  Oh well, Nadal for the French and Federer for Wimbledon (or Murray....because it is England!)!
I then made homemade pizza sauce for the very first time!!! It was rather delicious, I thought!  However, my white shirt did not escape spot free and of course, my blue and white shorts....well the tomato sauce found a whote spot to dot up instead of a blue spot....
Then bed, a yummy dessert, talked to my darling Becky, and am not heading to bed....I hope!

Now just waiting on Auntie Michele's decision ; )