John Isner in the 5th Set
When I was doing research on my grandfather’s career as a professional wrestler in the earliest days of the sport, back in the first decade of the 1900’s, I came across a newspaper account of one of his earliest matches. It was held at the Kanaweola Club in Elmira which was one of the men’s sporting clubs of that era, a place where men gathered to to participate and watch sports. Since there wasn’t ESPN, or television, or even radio, they often held live sporting events such as pro and amateur boxing and wrestling. Oh, and they also would drink a bit at the clubs.
In one of his headline matches at such a place, Shank, my grandfather’s wrestling moniker, started a match one evening at 9 PM and wrestled until midnight without either wrestler gaining a fall, which means neither was able to pin his opponent or get him to submit. They stopped at midnight and resumed the following night, wrestling for another two and a half hours before Shank was finally pinned. I wanted to lie there and say that Shank had gloriously persevered but I just couldn’t do it. I was proud enough that he just competed in such a marathon and I think he might have been proud of the feat despite the loss.
I don’t know if the two competitors in the current marathon competition still in action on the tennis courts at Wimbledon, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, are ready to say they’re proud just to be involved in such a match. To say so would be a psychological concession of sorts and they both aren’t ready to give in just yet. They started this match Tuesday and played until dark. The match resumed yesterday afternoon and stretched until they could barely see the balls. Or stand. Ten hours in all. The fifth set, still unfinished, stands in at a time of 7 hours and 6 minutes, making it alone longer than the longest match ever. The third day of this grinder takes palce this morning and I might have to watch.
At this point, the competition between these two men has transcended physical triumph of one over the other and moved into the realm of conquering their own psyches, convincing themselves that they can persevere. Steeling themselves against the desire to just give in and let it be done.
It’s a remarkable thing to witness, this stalemate of wills between two equally matched competitors. It’s liking stealing a raw glimpse of our desire to survive, our desire to overcome struggles of life and death. To be wounded, hurt, but still rise to our feet and return to the fray. Only in a safer way. This is tennis, after all.
Good on both of you today, Mr. Isner and Mr. Mahut. Don’t give up now.
Redtree Times 