What Andy Murray’s tears can teach us as writers

July 9, 2012

http://youtu.be/XL5Ls4GDm2M

So, did you watch it? Did you cheer and hide behind the sofa? Did you cry?

I’m talking about the Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final, of course, and about Andy Murray’s defeat at the hands of the sublime Roger Federer.

Before the final, I think it’s fair to say that Murray was not the most popular sportsman in Britain, for a whole host of reasons, possibly because he refuses to trot out a string of populist but bland platitudes afer his matches. He’s truculent, grudging and at times, bloody awkward – but also a brilliant and utterly committed sportsman. Actually, I’ve never been in the Get Andy Murray Camp and have always seen a young man of intense passion, trying to keep a lid on his emotions so he could win the ultimate prize.

After the final, all that emotion came spilling out as he made his losing speech on court. Finally, we got to see the real man underneath the veneer – and it was glorious, dare I say, more glorious than even a victory would have been?

I cried, along with half the nation, not because he had lost because a tennis match is only a game, but to see a man driven to the limit by the pressure of his hopes and dreams.

Someone on Twitter who works in screenwriting said that the audience always loves a character who tries, more than one who succeeds. Yesterday, that was so true.

I bet I’m not the only writer watching who was soaking up the emotions, and thinking: next time a character has his darkest moment, I’m going to channel this feeling. What brings a strong man to show his deepest feelings in public? How can I use this experience to ramp up the emotional stakes in my story?

That doesn’t help Murray, and of course, in a romance, there’s always an HEA. I hope the Andy gets his HEA soon in the form of a Grand Slam win but whatever the outcome, he has finally become a true hero for me. Not for getting to the Wimbledon final, but for having the courage to show us who he really is.

Comments

1. On July 9th, 2012 at 5:18 am
   Katy Haye Says:
   

   Great blog. Yesterday’s match was great tennis and Andy did both himself and us proud. I’ve always been cheered by the fact that he’s so awkward and unsmiling in interviews because it gives us all hope that you can be very good and successful at what you do without being a glossy, grinning media tart. Murray nevers smiles? Well, you know who smiles all the time: Tony Blair. I know who I’d rather be stuck in a lift with!

2. On July 9th, 2012 at 5:28 am
   Karen Says:
   

   Brilliantly put.

3. On July 9th, 2012 at 6:54 am
   Christine Harding Says:
   

   Well said Phillipa – and beautifully said, if I may say so!

4. On July 9th, 2012 at 8:34 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Thank you, everyone, I did wonder if it was just me for a while but now I feel better! Thanks for visiting and commenting.

   I cringe at the idea of being stuck in a lift with Blair, Cameron or any of them!

5. On July 9th, 2012 at 11:20 am
   Lyn McCulloch Says:
   

   Beautifully put, Phillipa. Actually, I think he, and the nation, would have cried just as much if he’d won. Sheer relief that it’s all over and the end of a massive adrenaline rush. I still have hope, though – bring on the US Open…. x

6. On July 10th, 2012 at 4:25 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Hi Lyn – yes, he loves the US Open, doesn’t he? I think that’s his best hope so fingers crossed. 🙂

7. On July 10th, 2012 at 4:47 am
   Flowerpot Says:
   

   I agree though as I was in van with The Fella, his reaction was “Champions don;’t cry” in disgust! Very much male vs female reaction I think…..

8. On July 10th, 2012 at 1:49 pm
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Flowerpot – hi there. We-eelll.. I came down from watching the end of the match on my computer to find my husband rooted to the sofa with suspiciously damp eyes. He is a big butch engineer and loves tennis and all kinds of sport: I don’t think it’s totally a girl/bloke thing. 🙂

9. On July 11th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
   agenoria Says:
   

   I doubt Andy Murray would get very far by being meek and mild! Also I came across some comments recently which reflected something I’ve been thinking – do they have to stick a microphone under the players’ noses at the end of the game and ask how they’re feeling? I haven’t followed tennis that closely for some time until this Wimbledon, but I wouldn’t blame Andy for giving some short answers to daft questions.

   I’m going to remember that match for the wrong reasons. I settled down to watch it and part of the way through there was a horrible noise outside. Two men had turned up to cut down two trees next door. On a Sunday afternoon. I wasn’t very polite to them. I also hate trees being cut down – a dozen have gone from about 40 gardens here in the past five years. There aren’t many left. Andy Murray is the image of politeness compared to arrogant men with chainsaws.

   I think Andy Murray has every chance of winning a Grand Slam – he’s five years younger than Roger Federer.