Wimbledon: A Father’s Day Special
Locker Room
June 4, 2019
Wimbledon is coming, and Father’s Day is almost upon us!
Still stuck for an idea? When it comes to Father’s Day gifts, a ticket for Wimbledon is the daddy of them all!
And to help you celebrate Father’s day, we thought we’d also celebrate some of the best known tennis dads out there.
VIRAL
Recently Nicolas Mahut moved Roland Garros to tears – and became even more famous for being a father than for losing the longest Wimbledon match of all time to John Isner.
When the 37-year-old lost out on the chance to face Roger Federer in the French Open fourth round, his 7-year-old son Natanel rushed onto the court to hug and console him.
Even Mahut’s victorious opponent, Leonardo Mayer burst into tears as father and son left the arena to a standing ovation.
The video went viral on social media. Nicolas, you are officially a super-dad. The incident has been described as the best moment at Roland Garros this year.
DEVOTED
But surely the most famous tennis father of them all is Federer himself – daddy to Myla Rose, Charlene Riva, Lenny and Leo.
To say Roger is a devoted dad would be an understatement. Even during his comeback match a couple of years ago, Federer admitted to losing focus.
‘Are the children really OK?’ is what he confessed to thinking during breaks in Stuttgart.
Altogether now, aaahhh.
INSPIRING
And don’t forget, the girls have already played a key role in his career – effectively inspiring the time out he needed to rejuvenate and become a Grand Slam winner again.
Roger recalled: ‘I was going to run a bath for the girls. I made a very simple movement, turned back, heard a click in my knee. I went to the zoo. My leg was swollen.’
SUPER-DAD
Get that last part? He knew he was injured and still went to the zoo. Well done super-dad!
The rest is history. A six month lay-off, then Roger became Australian Open and Wimbledon winner for 2017, as the magic returned!
Now in 2019 what can we expect from the great Federer? He’s been playing some of the best tennis in his career, and we have been on the edge of our seats watching him at Roland-Garros. We can be confident he will be in top form for this year’s Wimbledon.
What about Andy Murray? Fatherhood has inspired him to get back on court after his hip problems. It made receiving a knighthood from Prince Charles extra special too. Sir Andy said he couldn’t wait to show his children the medal when he got home.
HEARTWARMING
And he had already explained: ‘One of the things I’d like to do is play until my eldest daughter is able to watch me and have a small understanding of what it is I’ve done for my living.’
Go Andy!
Talking of a father with daughters, who can forget Richard Williams, father to Serena and Venus? Surely he is the most successful and influential daddy of them all?
And if his success story was all a bit pre-planned for some people’s taste, here is a heartwarming memory from nine or ten years back.
LOVE
Venus and Serena were soon to play each other in the Wimbledon singles final, and we asked Richard what the experience was going to be like for him.
‘I’m not staying for the final,’ he announced. ‘I’m goin’ fishin’ back home instead.’
Say what? Venus and Serena’s father not staying to see them do battle on Centre Court?
‘That’s just it, he said. ‘They are my daughters and I love them both, I don’t want to see them fighting each other to win a tennis match.’
CALL
But that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?
‘Not for me,’ he said. ‘My job was to get them both to the final. Job done. I’m goin’ home. I won’t be watching and it doesn’t matter who wins. I’ll be on a boat. ‘
But when will you find out who wins?
‘Oh I’m sure one of them will call and tell me,’ he smiled.
MAGNIFICENT
There’s something magnificent about that, isn’t there?
Wimbledon has been full of loving tennis fathers for years.
Just look online at the super-cute photos of Janko Tipsarevic with daughter Emili, or the stylish Gilles Simon with kids Timothee and Valentin, and you will sense just how devoted and loving many of the tennis dads are.
FATHER
Want your father to be there at Wimbledon, to show your love for him?
You know what to do. Just go across to our tickets page and see what works best for you.
GREAT
It’s a great gift. A day at Wimbledon, watching the great stars on a showcourt, is unforgettable.
The Father’s Day present of a lifetime.
Here’s to every tennis-loving father out there. Have a great day!
By Mark Ryan