Another Reminder of Pride

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same--

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it

Anyone self-identified as a tennis fan must be familiar with those words from Rudyard Kipling's If--. Those words--the first two lines to be exact--are right above the players' entrance to the Centre Court at Wimbledon. Just a few hours ago today, the world of tennis witnessed the perfect examples of ones who can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat them just the same.

An Open Letter to Sam Stosur

Dear Sam,

I'm not your biggest fan for sure, but I'm certain it doesn't mean I cannot write this.

First of all, I'd like to congratulate you on your US Open victory. What an achievement, Lady, what an achievement. Winning your first Grand Slam by beating a player who was heavily favored to win by lots of people--myself included? Simply splendid.

To be honest, I didn't expect you to win. At all. Not that you'd been playing badly, no. Mostly because your opponent in the Final, Serena Williams, had been playing some extraordinary tennis for the past fortnight. Not that I'm not happy with your victory, though; quite on the contrary, I am delighted You are one of my favorite players on the WTA Tour, and also one of the greatest talents in the game. I'd been wondering when you'd win the biggest thing looked for by all tennis players in the world--a Grand Slam title. The singles one, of course, I know you've won multiple Slams in doubles.