Strange Hill to Die on?

There are even stranger hills - "Mr Wimbledon" correspondent Mike Dickson has just ascended on one...

“MIKE DICKSON: Novak Djokovic could ruin his chances of becoming the GOAT by refusing to take the vaccine… it is a strange hill to die on for a player who is so desperate to be loved” (Mail Online, 2022.02.15):

Most tennis players have now accepted, some albeit reluctantly, that they and their sport are best served by taking a vaccine that has saved countless lives. But his vaccine refusal is a strange hill to die on while battling Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic's tough upbringing perhaps explains his refusal to yield to all comers on and off court. But it is unclear how much more information the Serbian needs when it comes to the vaccine.

Dickson provided more information to Novak, albeit belatedly, just this past week. “Tennis mourns the loss of veteran British writer Mike Dickson” (Australian Open, 2024.01.18):

The tennis world is mourning the death of esteemed sportswriter Mike Dickson, who died suddenly during the Australian Open.

Mike was to turn 60 on 27 January, the day of the Australian Open women’s final, and the tournament had plans to help him celebrate the milestone. “We are all devastated by this loss,” said Tennis Australia CEO and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley.

Katie Boulter started her press conference in the same way. “My deepest, deepest condolences to Mike Dickson and his family. It was a shock I'm sure to everyone this morning waking up,” said Boulter following her exit to Zheng Qinwen. “I think it just reminds all of us the important things in life. It really hit me this morning to have some perspective going out there today.”

Yes, it does, Katie. The perspective is now 20/20.

There are few more good candidates to follow in Mike’s footsteps:

Prepare for more ascensions to the same strange hill?