Only superstars are watched by millions chasing after a ball at a big sporting event, the rest of us aren’t.
Only superstars are watched by millions chasing after a ball at a big sporting event, the rest of us aren’t.
Last week Rafael Nadal was crowned the King of Clay, when he took the French Open title after beating Roger Federer in the final. So as much as this column is inspired by sport it is not actually about sport. It is about the many ordinary students in various South African campuses who are undertaking one of the major events of their lives: studying towards some sort of degree.
What struck me while watching the tennis is that these insanely rich and talented superstars are not machines but human beings. During the semi final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer it was fascinating to see Djokovic looking up at his family box despairingly every time he lost a point, and how, sometimes his coach or a relative would pump a fist in the air or shout words of encouragement when he seemed to be staging a fightback.
Djokovic lost that incredibly difficult game. His 41-match unbeaten streak came to an end; a remarkable feat by any measurement. Training and dedication undoubtably get a player to that kind of level but the boost they receive from looking up and getting support from family members for every point won or lost contributes greatly to their performance.
At one instance during the semi final game, after losing a point Djokovic walked back to the baseline muttering inaudibly to someone in his box. At that stage he was two sets down, he came back and pulled a set back, setting up a tense finale.
I have also noticed that the faces seen in those boxes are there game after game, year after year. When it comes to us ordinary folk, I cannot dispute that parents support their kids through university. Some pay the hefty tuition and accommodation fees, they give emotional support and generally involve themselves in their children’s education in various productive ways.
But if you take a closer and more critical look at that support it is like the family of Rafael Nadal putting him on the bus, sending him off to Wimbledon (to hopefully win the title), and telling him to call when he needs anything.
Consider this story then, Nadal’s parents watch the occasional game on TV and sometimes call when he wins. Nadal, without anyone in England, has to make his own way through and be the master of his destiny because although support is there, it is far from the simple, everyday hardships.
When Nadal wins the championships his parents call him, they are very happy and proud. They plan a big party on his return; let’s call that graduation. For most students it is a difficult three four years before graduation.
In that time they are playing in one of the biggest majors of their lives and I'm not too sure how many can look up at their family box and see a family member cheering on every single point. A good essay for example is a point won, a first comment in a packed lecture hall, a solid day of studying or a new friend made at the library. Most parents want their kids to come back with the major and be the toast of the town but how many are there each and every game, cheering for each and every point?
Goodluck to all for exams.
