Andy Murray: The Reason I'm Watching Tennis

I like tennis, but by no means am I a tennis fan.

Sure, I can name the top players in the world, and I even know who Goran Ivanisevic is, but I rarely can sit through an entire tennis match.

That is, until today.

Andy Murray's victory over Stanislas Wawrinka roped me in. 

A few hours later, I can not get enough of Murray. I've been reading everything I can get my eyes on about this 22-year-old Scotsman. There is so much to his story that one can't help but be intrigued.

When one watches a match involving Murray, he or she can clearly see why you either love Murray or hate him. He is quick to temper, and when he does boil over, entertaining does not even come close to describing his antics.

But when Murray is on his game, he is an artist. His fluidity is astonishing. Mix that in with his gritty and gutsy style and you have this odd combination of beauty and the beast.

As a boy, Murray attended the Dunblane Primary School in Dunblane, Scotland, where, on Mar. 13, 1996, Thomas Hamilton walked into the school and massacred 16 children and one adult.

Murray was in the school on that day. He hardly ever speaks of the tragic event.

It is almost as if Murray wants to let his game do the talking. With every serve, Murray is inching closer and closer to put Dunblane on the map for something good, rather than something horrifically evil. 

Murray is also battling history. He has to bear the burden of trying to become the United Kingdom's first Wimbledon champion since 1936. He has the hopes of an entire nation to carry out onto the court at the All-England Club.

Murray knows that his every move is being watched and critiqued by everyone in the UK. That is a lot for anyone to handle, let alone a 22-year-old. 

So, for all of you out there like me, intrigued by tennis, I suggest you watch Murray's next match against Juan Carlos Ferrero.

You will see why so many people hate Murray.

You will also see why so many people love Murray.

But most of all, you will see a young man playing for a town that lost so much and a country that hasn't won in a long, long time.