Heartfelt tears can show such emotions as words can never do. Whether he was going to win the title or lose in the final game, one foregone conclusion was that he would cry in the end! And cry, he did!
Roger Federer’s seventh title at Wimbledon earlier this month was followed by his customary tears. When asked about why he cries after all these years, Federer said, “When you cry, you communicate with fans. I think they appreciate the fact that we care about winning and losing; we care about what they feel...So, it is ok to break down, to let it all out.”
Federer is not the only celebrity to break down. Singers and actors on winning an award, at the Grammy and the Oscar, all sob as if a great tragedy has struck them.
Tears roll down their cheeks with uncontrollable sentiments. Through their tears they display their joy, gratitude and commitment to their life’s calling. Tears, like laughter, is indeed a spontaneous response. Heartfelt tears can show such emotions as words can never do.
I recall the first time we siblings had a family reunion after we left home. With excitement we cried through our laughter and laughed through our tears. Paradoxical as it appears, our happiness found its expression in tears. I have seen people who will weep when they are anxious.
Like the older sister of my school buddy. he was the class topper and yet, exam time would transform her into a wreck. On the morning of every exam she would weep with apprehension. Despite her thorough preparation, she would shed tears by the buckets.
Another kind of tears that is not necessarily related to sorrow is the famed ‘crocodile tears.’ To weep crocodile tears is to put on an insincere show of sadness. We find this all the time with those eager to be obsequious with an ulterior motive.
Often tears also roll down out of sheer pride. Parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, mentors, guides and friends will cry their heart out at the achievement of their children, pupils and chums. Again fans won’t stop crying admiring their heroes in action.
Tears, be it joy or sorrow, draw out the deepest human feelings. However, there is one type of crying that universally people loath, which is, the incessant cries of a stubborn child. Therefore when Roger Federer weeps time and again on winning grand slams, one is tempted to think that he is a spoilt child crying for more!
But again seeing a champion cry is an inspiration of the highest form, for pros and amateurs alike. As Andy Murray, on losing the Australian Open 2010 final, to Federer, said with overwhelming sobs, “I can cry like Roger, it’s just a shame I can’t play like him!”
