Yesterday evening we watched the tennis from Paris. The British fifth seed, Jack Draper was playing the Frenchman Gael Monfils. Draper had youth and stamina; Monfils had experience and the crowd behind him.
Eventually Draper won in four sets. It was a thoroughly entertaining match, put on by two great athletes, playing great tennis, enjoyed by crowd and players alike.
But behind the tennis show there are two good men. Monfils smiled throughout the match. The two players embraced at the end, each appreciating the other’s skill and character.
In the post-match interview Draper spoke with humility, ‘…what a battle, what an experience against someone I admire as a tennis player but off the court they guy is incredibly nice, such a joker, he’s a magician he does everything.’
Jack owes a lot to his grandparents Chris and Brenda. Brenda was a tennis coach supporting her children then her grandchildren. Jack’s said: ‘My nan and grandpa used to take me to lots of tournaments. They were a huge part of my development…’
Brenda began to become forgetful. Then she couldn’t recognise her own grandchildren. Draper’s said. ‘It was hard to understand that as a 13-year-old…’ Now? ‘She’s not in any pain, she’s pretty content, but she just sits there needing to be fed…’
As a result of Jack’s Nan’s awful illness Jack became an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society. In December, he organised a ‘memory walk’ in her honour, saying, ‘It’s such an important cause because it’s about honouring my grandad, honouring all the carers…’
Last night we saw Jack Draper the accomplished, skilful sportsman. This is the Jack Draper behind the show.
Musing…
…Folks I know. Confident extroverts, always joking… caring parents, dedicated to their families… skilled workers, committed to their jobs… good Christians, following their faith… I recognise that behind the show are unseen aspects of the individual.
…Words I read this morning, ‘Lord, you have searched me and know me…’ The God who can see beyond the show that I present.
malcolmsmusings.org 