Naked Hero - The Journey Away

American’s forehand was starting to waver as the second set kicked off: some uncharacteristic mistakes being made with it. He tested it out and forced more errors, and in the third game got a break before Jackson had time to regroup. It was no easy procession through the rest of the set, but Lewis staved off the break points that were forced and held on to win 6-4. One more set and he would be champion. Perhaps another upset was on the cards!
    Tommy Jackson was not the world’s number one player without good reason, however, and he had no intension of handing it to Lewis on a plate. He had been in these situations before and prevailed, and he aimed to do just that as the third set commenced. In the commentary boxes, people said that Lewis had scented victory too soon, pressed too quickly for his winners and paid the price. A couple of unforced errors in his second service game gifted Jackson the break he desperately needed, and with it the sort of momentum shift that he had ridden in the past all the way to the end. Lewis battled to get back the break, but with the rising confidence of his opponent, there were increasingly fewer opportunities to do so. The set went to Jackson, six games to three.
    Jackson struck again in the opening game of the forth. Lewis could have done with the Emu Men at that point to lift his spirits, but had settled for the fish design that superstition demanded.
    “He might be winning the fashion show, but the match is slipping away now,” was the verdict from ABC following the break.
    Again Lewis fought, but to no avail, the Jackson serve remained solid throughout and salt was rubbed into the wound as Lewis lost his own serve again at 5-3 and the set 6-3. Not only had he conceded the set, but had gifted the advantage of starting the decider to Jackson.
    At the change of ends before the final set, Lewis sat and tried to gather himself. Digging into his kit bag, he found the next shirt – the Emu Men again! If it got to this stage then he’d need inspiration - that was the logic... But did he need a repeat – would these men be enough? A glance at the envelope raised a temptation – but no – that was too sacred – it could never be allowed! Only on victory could that man come out. Then in the flashing lights that were all around he saw something glimmer – it was the Macleod clan badge – the sun in splendour holding the piece of lucky heather.
    ‘Seems to have lost its potency,’ thought Lewis as he gave the heather a rub anyway. Then deciding that it could do no harm, he slipped it into his right pocket, keeping the left still free for a tennis ball during serve.
    “Time!” called the umpire.
    Wanting to rush, riding the momentum and his own superstition, Jackson jogged to the baseline from which he would serve. Lewis held back though, to the irritation of the umpire who called “Time!” again. He stood up to pacify the man, stripped off his sweat drenched shirt and made to put on the one he dug out. But then he changed his mind.
    ‘No sod it!’ he thought. ‘Superstition be damned! Loud and proud, even in defeat if that’s what’s in store... and if so, then this son is going to go down burning in the Loud Macleod!’
    The black and tan tartan shirt was put on, and there was another roar as Lewis walked onto court – the crowd acknowledging this change of theme, and thinking it only proper.
    Tommy Jackson paid no heed to the fashion show theatrics, and settled down to close out the match which had turned dramatically in his favour. He held his serve comfortably, and then changed ends with the aim of keeping the momentum going and breaking Lewis again. It was a critical game - both players knew it - a game that could decide the outcome, certainly if it went to Jackson. He pressed hard, forcing Lewis to dig deep for the volleys from the returns of serve, but Lewis made enough of them to level the match.
    The pattern of the first set was now repeated. Each game going with serve, but Lewis’s always being the one that was most at threat. As in the first, six games all was reached: an epic final - one to be remembered. Lewis had been taken to deuce on his last two service games, but had staved off the break point that might have seen the end, for they would have been championship points as well. No tie-break to decide it this time, they would play on until a conclusion was reached by two clear games.
    As he awaited the serve, Lewis could hear Scott’s voice in his