Wimbledon 2013: The right to be called champion

Finally, the draw is done and dusted; and after two weeks which saw the most astonishing of upsets normalcy has prevailed and we have the top two seeds in the Men’s singles final – Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Djokovic overcame the stiff challenge of the Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in five gruelling sets in what was the longest-ever Wimbledon semifinal. On the other hand, Murray recovered after an early hiccup to beat the Pole Jankowicz in four sets. Both men have reached the final for the second time in their career – Djokovic was a finalist and the eventual winner in 2011, whereas Murray was a beaten finalist last year.

A lot is at stake here. It’s more than a championship for both these players. For top seed Novak Djokovic, it is a chance to win his second title at Wimbledon and his seventh Grand Slam overall, and, in the process, cement his grip on the World No.1 ranking. Even though Djokovic is world-class, for an average tennis fan, he is never mentioned in the same breath as two greats of his time – Federer and Nadal.

A second win here will surely make him an household name and will go a long way in changing that perception. Victory here will take Djokovic’s tally of Grand Slams to seven – just one behind greats like Andre Aggassi , Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors; and equal with champions like John McEnroe and Mats Wilander.

His opponent Andy Murray has lot riding on this final. Having lost out in the finals to Roger Federer last year, Murray will surely be looking to make amends this time round.

The British national has the expectations of a nation, and he will not want to let down the home crowd this time. A win here will not only see him crowned champion for the first time, but will also give Great Britain its first male Wimbledon champion in 77 years. Having won the US Open last year, Murray is highly favoured to land the Championship this time round.

Murray himself has to prove to the world his US Open win was no fluke. Murray is determined to get out the shadow of Federer, Nadal and his opponent in the final Novak Djokovic, who have shared almost all the Grand Slams among themselves for the past 7-8 years.

With so much riding on the final, it doesn’t remain a match; it’s a battle for supremacy, a battle for the right to be called champion.

Come tomorrow, we will know whose name will be inscribed on the Winner’s List at The All England Club; but considering what is at stake for both these players, it’s going to be a battle and a treat for tennis lovers.