Andy Murray did the most daunting thing in sports
Today's big winner: Andy Murray
You could feel the weight lift at Wimbledon, couldn't you?
77 years of failed expectations have rested squarely, and unfairly on Andy Murray. 28,128 days since the last British victory at Wimbledon. Has there ever been a more anticipated victory?
It's not that the victory itself was so incredible. Murray played a fine match against Novak Djokovic. But the daunting expectations and anticipation of a British man winning was so immense, Murray's victory is unlike any before.
Here are five similar victories:
1. Boston Red Sox, World Series 2004 -- 86 years between the 1918 World Series win and the one that broke the curse.
2. Canada Hockey, Gold Medal 2002 -- Remember Wayne Gretzky losing his mind on the bench after grabbing Canada's first gold since 1952?
3. Spain, World Cup 2010 -- Spain's first World Cup title came 76 years after it first appears in a World Cup in 1934.
4. Auburn Football, BCS Championship 2011 -- Cam Newton led the Tigers to their first championship in 57 years.
5. Phil Mickelson, 2004 Masters -- He joined the PGA Tour in 1992, and waited 12 years before his major.
Mickelson's wait is nothing compared to the other four, but he's the only individual on the list, and is probably the closest player you can relate to Murray. But Mickelson didn't carry the expectations of a country. Mickelson was, and still is, playing for Mickelson.
Teams shouldered the burden of Boston, Canada, Spain, and Auburn's futility. Various players cycled through over the years, and all shared a part of the shortcoming.
Andy Murray started his career at age 17 ranked 407th in the world. But unlike Roger, Rafa, Novak, Serena, or Maria, Andy has always competed with a nation behind him.
Sunday, that was a good thing.
However, we've seen the weight of nation become Murray's undoing. Murray's confidence in matches has always swayed delicately in the balance. When he is down, he's horribly down.
But Britain raucously backed Murray on Sunday, and throughout this tournament. They stood squarely behind their man, and Murray shone brighter than ever before.
Enjoy the morning, Britain. Enjoy the year. You've waited 77 years for this victory, it deserves a very long celebration.
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Today's other big winners ...
Robert Griffin III (I guess?): He is now the proud owner of the weirdest video on the Internet.
Kevin Durant and Monica Wright: Got engaged recently. NBA and WNBA super couple? Absolutely. Texas has already offered their potential offspring a scholarship in all sports (probably).
Chicago Cubs: Beat the Pirates and also got A.J. Burnett with a rosin bag again!
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Chris Weidman: Weidman's UFC middleweight championship happened Saturday night, but Anderson Silva is probably just waking up so we'll celebrate it here.
Jason Kidd: It's just summer league, but the new Brooklyn Nets coach is already getting technicals.
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