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Andy Murray's Wimbledon triumph has reclaimed Dunblane for its people Andy Murray's Wimbledon triumph has reclaimed Dunblane for its people
(2 months later)
Shortly before 5.30pm on Sunday, an almighty roar exploded in SW19 and echoed through living rooms and pubs right across the British Isles. Andy Murray had come through 32 brutally and brilliantly contested games of tennis to secure a straight sets victory over the world's No1 and become the first British men's singles champion at Wimbledon for 77 years.Shortly before 5.30pm on Sunday, an almighty roar exploded in SW19 and echoed through living rooms and pubs right across the British Isles. Andy Murray had come through 32 brutally and brilliantly contested games of tennis to secure a straight sets victory over the world's No1 and become the first British men's singles champion at Wimbledon for 77 years.
Nowhere could the celebrations have been louder and more passionate than in Dunblane, near Stirling, right on the buckle of Scotland's central belt. Any community relishes the success of one of its own, of course, and there is no hero like a local hero. When it is such a small town – in this case only 8,000 people or so, there is often a degree of claiming to fame. "This has put this town on the map", goes the cliche.Nowhere could the celebrations have been louder and more passionate than in Dunblane, near Stirling, right on the buckle of Scotland's central belt. Any community relishes the success of one of its own, of course, and there is no hero like a local hero. When it is such a small town – in this case only 8,000 people or so, there is often a degree of claiming to fame. "This has put this town on the map", goes the cliche.
For Dunblane, it is different. The picturesque little cathedral town was already more famous than it ever wanted to be, forever associated with one of the most horrific days in recent British history. It is where Thomas Hamilton, a 43-year-old former youth club and scout leader, took four handguns into Dunblane primary school and murdered 16 children and a teacher before turning the last shot on himself. The eight-year-old Andy Murray was one of the pupils who survived the massacre, sheltering with his brother Jamie under a desk in the headmaster's office. He knew many of the murdered children, and also knew their killer.For Dunblane, it is different. The picturesque little cathedral town was already more famous than it ever wanted to be, forever associated with one of the most horrific days in recent British history. It is where Thomas Hamilton, a 43-year-old former youth club and scout leader, took four handguns into Dunblane primary school and murdered 16 children and a teacher before turning the last shot on himself. The eight-year-old Andy Murray was one of the pupils who survived the massacre, sheltering with his brother Jamie under a desk in the headmaster's office. He knew many of the murdered children, and also knew their killer.
Many people have suggested that the 2012 Wimbledon final marked a turning point in the British public's relationship with Murray. Until he broke down in disappointment after defeat that day, he had been widely perceived as sulky, dour and taciturn. However the tears that moved me more deeply came in the recent BBC documentary where, for the first time, he agreed to answer questions about 13 March, 1996.Many people have suggested that the 2012 Wimbledon final marked a turning point in the British public's relationship with Murray. Until he broke down in disappointment after defeat that day, he had been widely perceived as sulky, dour and taciturn. However the tears that moved me more deeply came in the recent BBC documentary where, for the first time, he agreed to answer questions about 13 March, 1996.
In a remarkable few moments, Murray struggles and fails to contain his emotions, gulping for breath or staring, haunted, into space. At one point he bends forward, almost into a foetal position, gripping the pet dog in his lap for support. In those few minutes he says little, but reveals a lot. Under Sue Barker's sensitive, gentle questioning, Murray shows why he offers such a stoical and stubborn mask to the world and perhaps gives an insight into his remorseless drive to victory. Men from central Scotland are not known for our smiley, flamboyant extroversion at the best of times. In Murray's case one senses that he has constructed a thick protective wall around himself. Perhaps he cannot easily let emotions spill out, because with only the smallest crack, the deluge would be overwhelming.In a remarkable few moments, Murray struggles and fails to contain his emotions, gulping for breath or staring, haunted, into space. At one point he bends forward, almost into a foetal position, gripping the pet dog in his lap for support. In those few minutes he says little, but reveals a lot. Under Sue Barker's sensitive, gentle questioning, Murray shows why he offers such a stoical and stubborn mask to the world and perhaps gives an insight into his remorseless drive to victory. Men from central Scotland are not known for our smiley, flamboyant extroversion at the best of times. In Murray's case one senses that he has constructed a thick protective wall around himself. Perhaps he cannot easily let emotions spill out, because with only the smallest crack, the deluge would be overwhelming.
Murray did not defeat Djokovic yesterday with groundstrokes, aces and volleys so much as through sheer force of personality. His voracious hunger for every point carried him through setback after setback as he chased lost causes, somehow finding one more stride and one more shot at the key moments. That is the personality that has now made him Olympic, US Open and Wimbledon champion simultaneously. His former coach Mark Petchey yesterday described meeting the gangly teenager for the first time. "He was tough", Petchey recalled, "really tough." Of course he was. He needed to be.Murray did not defeat Djokovic yesterday with groundstrokes, aces and volleys so much as through sheer force of personality. His voracious hunger for every point carried him through setback after setback as he chased lost causes, somehow finding one more stride and one more shot at the key moments. That is the personality that has now made him Olympic, US Open and Wimbledon champion simultaneously. His former coach Mark Petchey yesterday described meeting the gangly teenager for the first time. "He was tough", Petchey recalled, "really tough." Of course he was. He needed to be.
In the BBC documentary, Murray muttered with characteristic humility "it's just nice that I've been able to do something that the town is proud of." Voices from within the community suggest this is an understatement. Many residents watched yesterday's final in the local community centre, which was opened with the sympathetic donations that came to the town in the aftermath of the massacre.In the BBC documentary, Murray muttered with characteristic humility "it's just nice that I've been able to do something that the town is proud of." Voices from within the community suggest this is an understatement. Many residents watched yesterday's final in the local community centre, which was opened with the sympathetic donations that came to the town in the aftermath of the massacre.
With so many residents still mourning and grieving their lost children, the very children who should have grown into his friends and supporters, Dunblane has been able to rally around the achievements of one of their own and look forward. For all the hoohah and cheap gags as to whether Murray represents Scotland or Britain, it is not much of a stretch to imagine that first and foremost he is playing for Dunblane.With so many residents still mourning and grieving their lost children, the very children who should have grown into his friends and supporters, Dunblane has been able to rally around the achievements of one of their own and look forward. For all the hoohah and cheap gags as to whether Murray represents Scotland or Britain, it is not much of a stretch to imagine that first and foremost he is playing for Dunblane.
As one resident told the Guardian: "Andy's exorcised a ghost in Dunblane." It is no longer the town of Thomas Hamilton. Dunblane is Andy Murray's town, and he has helped its people get their town back. Of all his achievements, this may be his greatest.As one resident told the Guardian: "Andy's exorcised a ghost in Dunblane." It is no longer the town of Thomas Hamilton. Dunblane is Andy Murray's town, and he has helped its people get their town back. Of all his achievements, this may be his greatest.
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