Tennis’ next rising star

We’ve had Henman Hill and Murray Mound but is James Ward about to reach the peak of his tennis career in London SW19 in the next fortnight?


You may well be asking who James Ward is. Well, so were most sports fans until last weekend. That was until the 24-year-old, ranked 216 in the world, beat the odds to reach the semi-finals of the Queen’s Club Championships. (Photo: Dave Sandford)


Ward’s dogged performances at Queen’s – including victories against the defending champion and the world number 14 – have propelled him into the spotlight and raised hopes of British success at Wimbledon beyond solely the magic of Andy Murray.


Our nation loves a sporting underdog and Ward will no doubt feel both tremendous support and unbearable pressure next week. But will he be mentally and physically strong enough to cope and not crumble, especially if he grabs a few victories.


His coaches certainly believe so. Curiously, it was revealed that Ward has been helped by a former cage-fighter who has been putting him through his paces in recent weeks, rapidly improving both Ward’s physique and psyche in recent weeks.


Kevin Mitchell, tennis correspondent of The Guardian, fears for Ward at Wimbledon, however, pointing to disappointments of the past. ‘History, sadly, suggests the journey will be pot-holed,’ writes Mitchell. ‘Behind him on that road lie such briefly illustrious names as Jamie Delgado, Arvind Parmar, Barry Cowan, Martin Lee and Luke Milligan.’ A quick web search of these names reveals some near-misses; ten years ago, Cowan took Pete Sampras to five sets whilst Delgado snatched a set off Andre Agassi.


We’ve seen many times how fans’ enthusiasm and the media’s hunger for a hero (or celebrity) can be a major factor in British sportsmen and women failing on the biggest stage. Just look at any England football team in the recent past. If only we learned to lower our expectations, cherish small successes and understand that there’s more to sport than only winning, then perhaps we might enjoy watching sport again. Our footballers, cricketers and tennis players may just play with a smile on their faces as well. Even Andy Murray.


I hope that James Ward doesn’t enter the ‘if-only’ annals of British sporting history and that he rises admirably to Wimbledon’s challenge. It could be a steep slide from the summit if he doesn’t.

See BBC Sport's article on a similar subject.

Fifa all at sea

As Sepp Blatter was controversially re-elected as president of football’s world governing body Fifa last week, he used marine metaphors, claiming that he was ‘the captain weathering the storm’ and that ‘our ship has drawn some water’.

Many in world football have been left seasick by recent corruption allegations – so much so that it’s difficult to see how Fifa can steer itself to dry land again.

After claims of bribery linked to awarding the 2022 World Cup finals to Qatar, two key figures in Fifa were made to walk the plank: suspended just days before the Zurich congress. One of these men, Mohamed Bin Hammam, was due to stand against Blatter for the Fifa presidency.

With Blatter the sole candidate, the English and Scottish Football Associations called for an election postponement but, with only 17 member associations supporting this motion, Blatter sailed back into the president’s chair for an unprecedented fourth term.

Worse still for English football – still reeling from failing to land the 2018 World Cup finals and with enough internal troubles of its own – several other member bodies publicly criticised their opposition. The head of Argentina’s FA said, ‘It looks like England is always complaining… leave the Fifa family alone, and when you speak, speak with truth’.

Blatter’s supporters say that, during his reign so far, he has been a driving force in increasing revenue, protecting players’ welfare, organising excellent tournaments, improving game rules and, most notably, recognising Palestine (when the UN hasn’t) and supporting projects in poorer countries (to the tune of £600 million).

So, was David Bernstein, England FA’s chair, right to try and break up Fifa’s family home? For an organisation claiming to be democratic and transparent, Fifa appears to now have lost its way. Blatter appears untouchable; surely fresh blood is now needed after his 13 years in charge? Credibility is compromised yet Fifa won’t appoint an independent external party to improve accountability. So often it seems decisions are not truly made ‘for the good of the game’ (a Fifa motto), but rather to boost the coffers.

Forget the big business and the bribery: at the heart of football are people like those in Aberdeen who recently played a remarkable 24-hour football match to raise £12,500 for a Christian education trust working in Malawi.

Perhaps Captain Blatter should climb down from his crow's nest and spy out what's happening at sea level for once.

This article originally appeared in The Baptist Times

Photo credits: Duncan C & Josephi