When Winning Feels Like Losing: My Worst Day at Wimbledon

By Lewis Barnett 4 July, 2025 6 mins read 34 Views

God, where do I even start with this one.

So there I was Thursday afternoon, walking off Court 8 with Joe after we'd just beaten Paris and Broom 6-3 5-7 6-4. Should've been buzzing, right? First round of Wimbledon doubles in the bag, decent performance considering we were both a bit off our game. Joe even cracked a joke about my backhand looking "less terrible than usual" - which for him is basically a standing ovation.

Then my brother appeared at the player exit with that look on his face. You know the one.

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The Call I'd Been Dreading

Nan Mary was gone. Ninety-eight years old, fighter till the end, but her time had come about thirty minutes after we'd shaken hands at the net. The timing felt like some cruel joke - celebrating a win while she was taking her final breath.

I'd known it was coming, honestly. She'd been in hospital for weeks, and the doctors had been... well, let's just say they weren't exactly optimistic. But knowing something's inevitable doesn't make it hurt any less when it actually happens.

"She would want me to be here," I told the press later, trying to keep it together. Which was true - Nan Mary was my biggest supporter, always asking about my ranking, always bragging to her friends at the care home about "my Neal the tennis player." (She never quite grasped the doubles thing, bless her.)

A Day From Hell Gets Worse

And if losing Nan wasn't enough, I'd woken up to the news about Diogo Jota. Massive Liverpool fan here - been following them since I was seven - and seeing those headlines in Spanish on Twitter just... Christ.

You scroll through social media expecting transfer rumors and match highlights, not news that one of your heroes has died in a car crash. Just got married a few weeks ago. Three kids. Twenty-nine years old.

I'd actually met Diogo when I visited the training ground last year. Lovely guy, down-to-earth, took time to chat even though he had no idea who I was. "Tennis, yeah? That's class, mate." That was him - just genuinely nice.

The whole thing made me think about how fragile everything is. One minute you're planning your next match, the next minute everything changes.

What Nan Would Say

Here's the thing about my grandmother - she was tough as nails. Lived through the war, raised four kids mostly on her own, never complained about anything. When I was struggling with my ranking a few years back, thinking about quitting, she sat me down and said: "Neal, love, you don't give up when things get hard. You fight harder."

So that's what I'm doing. Joe and I have got a real shot at this tournament - we won it in 2023, we know these courts, we know how to handle the pressure. Nan would be furious if I let grief derail that.

My coach pulled me aside after the match, said the team had noticed I wasn't quite myself during practice this week. Fair enough - it's hard to be your usual bubbly self when you're waiting for bad news. But being on court actually helps. For those two hours, it's just tennis. Pure focus.

Moving Forward (Somehow)

The All England Club announced they're relaxing the all-white rule so people can wear black armbands for Diogo. I'm thinking about it - seems like the right thing to do. Liverpool fans stick together, even at Wimbledon.

Next round's coming up soon. Joe's been great about everything, giving me space when I need it but keeping things normal too. That's what good partners do.

I keep thinking about what Nan would say if she could see me now. Probably something like: "Stop moping about and go win the bloody thing." She never did mince words.

So that's the plan. Win the bloody thing. For her, for Diogo's family, for everyone who's dealing with loss right now. Sometimes that's all you can do - keep playing, keep fighting, keep moving forward even when everything feels impossible.

Tennis is just tennis at the end of the day. But sometimes it's also the only thing that makes sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What has been the impact of the tennis scoring system on its unique character?

Tennis has a unique scoring system that contributes to its character. Games and sets are separated in tennis matches. A player must win 6 games by at least a two-point margin to earn a "set". Before a game is won, the score goes from zero (love) to 15, 30, and 40. If players reach deuce (tied at forty), they must win by two consecutive points. This system is unpredictable and creates tension.

What are the historical roots of tennis?

The origin of tennis traces back to 12th century France when a game called jeu de paume was played by monks in monastery courtyards using their hands to hit the ball. Tennis evolved over time as rackets became available. By the 16th century, the game became popular among the European nobility. Tennis has changed a lot since it was first invented, with the introduction in the 19th Century of lawn tennis and standardized rules.

Who was credited with standardizing today's game of tennis?

Major Walter Clopton Wingfield is largely credited with standardizing the modern game of tennis. In 1873, Wingfield created a version of Sphairistike that was played at an hourglass shaped grass court. Wingfield's version of the game included a simplified scoring system and the equipment that is similar to what is used today. This iteration set the foundations of lawn tennis. By 1877 Wimbledon Championships, which consolidated the game's structure and rules, were held.

What is the impact of different surfaces on tennis matches?

Tennis matches have a huge impact on their style and pace due to the different surfaces. Grass courts favor big servers and players with an aggressive style. Clay courts cause the ball to bounce higher and slower, which benefits players who are good at baseline and can hit topspin shots. Hard courts provide a balanced playing field that is neither too fast nor too slow, rewarding well-rounded players. These surface variations require different approaches to match strategy and can influence match outcomes.

What role have tennis icons played in popularizing the sport?

Tennis icons are credited with popularizing the game around the globe. Throughout its long history, charismatic and talented players like Billie Jean King, Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Martina Navratilova, Pete Sampras, Serena Williams, and Roger Federer captured the public’s imagination. The achievements of these players on the tennis court and their personalities away from the court not only inspired fans but also younger generations to pick up the sport. Their legacies extend beyond their titles, shaping the culture and marketplace of tennis.

Statistics

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) governs over 200 nations, indicating the sport's vast international governance structure and participation rate.
The modern game of tennis originated in England in the late 19th century, with the first Wimbledon Championship held in 1877.
Since the Open Era began in 1968, allowing professional players to compete in the Grand Slams, the United States has produced the most Grand Slam singles titles across men's and women's competition.
Graphite became a popular material for tennis racquets in the 1980s, with over 90% of professional players now using graphite or graphite composite racquets.
Lawn tennis, which evolved into the game we know today, adapted its point system from the jeu de paume, with theories suggesting its increments represent the face of a clock.

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How To

How to Keep score and keep track of your tennis scores

Tennis is a game where keeping score is crucial. The standard game is scored by love (0), 15, 30, and 40. In order to win a match, the player must score at least four goals and lead by two. Six wins constitute a "set", and typically, you need to have a 2-game lead in order to win. In the event of 6-6 tie, there is a tiebreak. Matches are customarily best-of-three or best-of-five sets. Familiarize yourself with these rules to track match progress accurately.