Taylor Dent: Dazzling Crowds, Defying the Laws of NatureA miracle is defined as an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment. How else would one describe what veteran tennis player Taylor Dent has been able to accomplish at the 2009 U.S. Open Championships?
Two years ago after his third back surgery -- doctors were telling Dent that not only should he forget tennis, but that he may never be able to walk again. He was bedridden for days on end, trapped inside a full body cast. Surely this man would never compete as a tennis professional again.
But here he is -- headed to the third round of the world’s toughest tennis tournament after an awe-inspiring 6-4, 5-7, 6-7(7-1), 7-5, 7-6(11-9) win over Ivan Navarro. He captured the hearts and minds of the people who came to watch him and even after the match was over, found a way to keep it going.
He embraced Navarro with a warm hug at the net and then marched over to the umpire’s chair. He shook hands with him and then did something I’ve never seen before after watching and playing more than three decades of tennis. Dent grabbed the microphone and in a choked-up voice told the crowd, “I just want to say, you guys are unbelievable. I love it here! LET’S GO!!"
The already electrified crowd went wild and Dent fed off of every cheer. Everyone was one their feet as the celebration echoed into the night.
Then came this question from Pam Shriver:
If the low (for you) was the back surgeries and the pain and lying motionless in bed, can you imagine anything better than this?
(The crowd erupts: U-S-A!! U-S-A!!)
Taylor Dent: No, I mean really, it’s all gravy right now. I can’t ask for anything more than to play the sport I love, battle the way I love and to have the support. This crowd is just phenomenal, it’s amazing.
Dent’s courage and tenacity is the stuff movies are made of and for the 195th ranked player in the world and the people that packed the Grandstand, it’s a night they will never forget.
make the movie John!
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