Rollercoaster ride for boys’ grandparents
Grandparents Shirley and Roy Erskine celebrated in style after a nail-biting weekend spent watching grandsons Andy and Jamie confirm their places at the top of men’s tennis. While Roy toasted the double success with a glass of his favourite whisky, Shirley wound down by kicking back and watching a recording of her favourite TV show – Strictly Come Dancing. The proud pair had their nerves shredded after tuning in for what Shirley described as the most difficult tennis match she’s ever had to watch when Andy fought off arch nemesis Novak Djokovic on Sunday evening. Gran Shirley said:“We were down at the O2 in London last week for Andy’s matches against Cilic and Nishikori but were back up in time to see the Wawrinka game on TV. “It worked out quite well for us as Andy was on one day and then Jamie was on the next so we managed to see both. We always
Gran Shirley Erskine
like to watch the big games at home though – but I have to say, the match against Djokovic was the toughest I’ve watched.
“I think that was because I know it’s so important to Andy to cement the No.1 ranking.
“It was getting really tense – I even had to ask Roy to say something to try and lighten the mood.”
Roy, 82, said:“The atmosphere in the O2 is incredible – it’s so loud as there are so many people there At one point I was thinking this was going too well and that there would be a reaction from Djokovic – which there was.
“It was a tough field to compete against so they’ve done really well. Both Andy and Jamie have had such a good year.”
When asked how they celebrated a successful weekend on the court, Shirley, 84, said:“After Andy won I said ‘Right, we need to relax’. “Roy had a dram of whisky and I put Strictly on. I had recorded it as it was on at the same time as Andy.
“The phone was also going non-stop – so many people got in touch which was nice.
“For them [Andy and Jamie] I think they just need to sleep now. They have put so much in during the past few months.
“A lot of the events have been indoors so they need some sunshine and fresh air – a well-earned break from it all.”
“I still find it all a bit surreal. To think, 20 years ago they were just wee ones down at the court in Dunblane with Judy.
“Judy deserves tremendous credit for helping get them to where they are now.
“She has put so much hard work in. We are just so lucky to get to go to all of these amazing events to watch them.”
Rodger Federer was among those to congratulate Andy on social media following his momentous victory, and Shirley said: “I saw the message from Federer and I thought that was really nice.
“Praise like that means a lot from the fellow professionals, I think. They know how much hard work goes in .”
Roy added:“Nadal and Federer have been great players for so long and now there are some really good younger guys coming through like Raonic and Nishikori.
“But hopefully Andy can keep it going in Australia next year. I think it’s maybe a bit far for us to get out there but we’ll be staying up all hours to watch the matches.”
To think, 20 years ago they were just wee ones down at the court in Dunblane with Judy