Broken

What does it take to "break" a person? I just finished watching the 2012 Wimbledon Men's Final between Andy Murray and Roger Federer. Andy is British, 25 years old and just played in his first Wimbledon Final. He's never made it past the semi's. He played against Roger Federer who was going for his 7th Wimbledon Final. No one from Britain has won Wimbledon in 72 years! And Andy is the only player even close to the level possible to win it. He's never won a grand slam, and in fact, never made it past the semis. And here he was in his country's grand slam tournament.

He won the first set. I was so excited. I believed he could do it. He could have won the second set. And then he didn't. He could have won the third, but the rain delay and closed roof favored Federer. Then, in the 4th, he lost, and it seemed inevitable.

What does it take to "break" a person? He had to stand up, accept his runner's up trophy (dish) and face the crowd of screaming fans and talk to them. He knows how badly they all want it. He knows he's their only hope. And he has to look at them and talk to them and say something after he failed. And he did. He spoke so beautifully. He broke down in front of them and you could hear them love him more. He told them he was getting closer. He complimented Roger and told him that he deserved it. He thanked his family. Then he broke down and told the fans that he thanked them and that they hadn't added pressure, but that they'd added support.

What does it take to break a person? It depends on the person. I believe there are some people that you can never break. There are some people that believe in themselves and believe in hope and confidence and in always doing their personal best and believe that the best you can do is good enough. Those people can never be broken. I hope I'm one of those people.