Deuce

It is worth saying a few words about young Murray, and his valiant efforts at Wimbledon yesterday. It is a laudable, and certainly rare, achievement for a Briton to reach the final, and he acquitted himself with courage and dignity. I do not hesitate in the least to say that he certainly made a better job of it than I would have. Even on a good day (few and far between as they are), I'm not sure I would have lasted very long. The downside of tennis is that the duration of a match is hard to predict. They can last hours and hours; practically all day sometimes. In my case, however, it would probably all be over a bit quicker. At a rough calculation, it would take my opponent 72 points to win a 3 set match (I think) if I put up little effective opposition. That surely would take at least half an hour, and what with all the sitting and standing and walking around and mopping oneself with towels it might take considerably longer. I don't know if there is a provision in the rules of lawn tennis to throw in the towel if you feel things are seriously going against you. Or if you should stick it out to the bitter end, regardless. Certainly there is no shortage of towels to hand. I am just not sure of the correct etiquette.