Fred Perry, three times Wimbledon winner hadn't got a happy ending in his life. After a glorious carrier of eight Grand Slam trophies he died with the grim of not recognizing properly by the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The former number 1 even not had given the champion tie in proper manner. Poor guy!
Today, after 77 years of Perry’s last Wimbledon win, his Country man Andy Murray ends the hunger of the British. Beating the present number 1 Novak Djokovic, the Scottish named only the 2nd man from the Great Britain to win the prestigious Wimbledon trophy.
And, like always, the British media is bursting out. This was expected; but, what wasn't expected that Murray is now named as a legend, but not Perry in his days. Even, some media are demanding a Knighthood for Murray. Sad, injustice, cruelty; whatever u wants to say, but it is the bloody ruthless truth!
After the history making success, Perry’s daughter Penny stated that her father would be thrilled with Murray. Is it so? May be yes! Because, he had too much passion for the game and for his country as his daughter said, ‘My father was a huge patriot. He was always fundamentally British; it was always about being a Brit.’
‘And with his love of the sport, he would have recognized it can only be a good thing for British tennis.
‘But you’re not a human being if an element of you isn't saying ‘Goddamnit!’ You wouldn't be human if it wasn't bitter-sweet.’
But, after seeing the excess hype may be he would feel jealous, or he might feel sorry for his fate. Fate? Yes; Fred Perry’s father was a day labourer. And it is the only reason of this discrimination.
Perry is considered one of the greatest male players ever to have played the game. In his 1979 autobiography Jack Kramer, the long-time tennis promoter and great player himself, called Perry one of the six greatest players of all time.
Kings of the Court, a video-tape documentary made in 1997 in conjunction with the International Tennis Hall of Fame, named Perry one of the ten greatest players of all time.
But, in his country he hadn't got rest of what he was worthy of. He switched to America and got citizenship there. When, the British had the feeling that they lost the nation’s most precious jewel, then it was all end.
1984 in a bronze statue was erected in All England Lawn tennis Club to mark 50th anniversary of Perry’s first Wimbledon Championship. And Perry left the world in 1995, being one of the most under-rated tennis stars of the history.
One argument may rise that, Wimbledon was a strictly amateur affair until 1967. It’s true, but, more importantly the so called “developed” British played more amateur.