First Heather Watson, now James Ward. British tennis fans are being taken to the brink as home players bow out from Wimbledon with glorious failures.
Less than 24 hours after Watson suffered a heart-breaking loss to world number one Serena Williams having served for the match, Ward took a two-sets-to-one lead over Canada’s Vasek Pospisil, only to fall 8-6 in the final set.
Throw in the last-gasp defeat for England’s women at the World Cup this week, and it was too much for some fans to take.
Yesterday Heather Watson, today James Ward …I can't cope… thank goodness we have a day of rest tomorrow #Wimbledon #bbctennis
— Chris Goldsmith (@TheTennisTalker) July 4, 2015
First Heather Watson and now James Ward. Not good for my dicky ticker. Come on!! #Wimbledon
— Random Banter (@random_banter) July 4, 2015
Women's football, Heather Watson & James Ward. What a week.
— Josh (@PotterHoppo) July 4, 2015
Some questioned whether such narrow losses should really be a cause for congratulations.
Watson. Ward. England women. All basically bottled it,yet they are treated like heroes. We love a "gallant" loser better than a winner. Sad.
— Paul Machin (@machinpaul80) July 4, 2015
The media will probably congratulate Ward, like Watson & the Women's football team, as if glorious failure is any better than normal failure
— Gary (@Jacbowsology) July 4, 2015
U21s, Women, Heather Watson, now Ward. All very English, can't handle the heat!
— Craig (@SkyBlueTuffy) July 4, 2015
But overwhelmingly, the British public had one collective emotion.
Argh! Gutted for James Ward. Thought he had him, but Pospisil's serve was seriously on point. #Wimbeldon
— Greg Rutherford (@GregJRutherford) July 4, 2015
Gutted for James Ward.
— Thomas Parker (@TomParker) July 4, 2015
Gutted for James Ward :( poor baby #Wimbledon
— Cat Bennett (@catbennett94) July 4, 2015
Absolutely gutted for James Ward!! Such a great effort & a great #Wimbledon from him!
— Shaun Cornell (@ShaunCornell) July 4, 2015
Gutted for James ward he did himself proud.
— susan soden (@sueloaf) July 4, 2015
Gutted for James Ward. It was a great match though. Now time for Murray 🎾 #Wimbledon2015 #Wimbledon
— Shevaun Taylor (@shevaun_23) July 4, 2015
Absolutely gutted for James Ward. A 5 set thriller, brilliant tennis. Crowd were great. #Wimbledon
— Sara (@sara_kath) July 4, 2015
gutted for james ward😩
— Siôn Evans (@SionEvans22) July 4, 2015
Gutted for Wardy but into top 100 for the first time. Bring on the davis cup #BackTheBrits #jamesward #Wimbledon2015 #sw19
— Joanne Oliver (@Joeyo1990) July 4, 2015
Gutted for James Ward – honestly thought he could make it to the second week of Wimbledon! Either way, he's had a brilliant week & top 100
— Emma (@ems9612) July 4, 2015
Gutted for James Ward. Excited for Murray. #Wimbledon2015
— Rianna Dearden (@RiannaDearden) July 4, 2015
Gutted for James Ward, played a fantastic match and tournament, just couldn't deal with a strong serve today. #Wimbledon2015
— Cameron Mckirdy (@CamMckirdy) July 4, 2015
Gutted for James Ward, what a game! #Wimbledon
— Abi Brundish (@AbiBrundish) July 4, 2015
Gutted for #jamesward #Wimbledon 🙈
— Emily Dunn (@emily_dunn) July 4, 2015
In the pub watching the tennis and I am so gutted for James Ward 💔💔💔
— little miss (@laurxstylinson_) July 4, 2015
Yep, if you’re in any doubt, James Ward, let us confirm: the nation is gutted for you.
Source: SNAPPA
