HE WAS 4-1 up in the final set, just two games away from a date with Roger Federer in the second round of the biggest tennis tournament in the World at Wimbledon. But Limerick’s Conor Niland slipped over the final few hurdles in a courageous and emotional display on court 17 to fall out of this year’s competition.
Niland, ranked 181 in the world, faced Adrian Mannarino from France, ranked at 55. While the disparity was great the contest was finely balanced throughout and in the fifth and final set when Niland broke his opponent’s serve to go 4-1 up, it appeared that the historic match was in the Irishman’s grasp.
It has become a Jesuitical point but Niland was the first Irish male player to appear in the Wimbledon main draw since Californian-born Matt Doyle in 1984. Doyle played Davis Cup for Ireland in 1983 but according to various opinion did not have an Irish passport until 1985. It raises the conundrum as to whether Doyle was Irish in 1985 but American 1984.
Still, Sean Sorensen from Cork played here in 1980 and Niland’s appearance bridges more than two decades without an Irish presence.
But approaching the four-hour mark Niland faltered, made some unforced errors of which Mannarino took full advantage, winning the final set and the match 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7), 4-6, 6-4 after exactly four hours.
“It was the biggest match of my career, and to have it so close, for sure I’ll think about over the next few days,” said the 29-year-old after the match.
“At the moment I don’t feel as bad as I probably thought I would, but I don’t know. Closing out matches is the most important thing and I do feel I let myself down a little bit in terms of putting myself in a position where I shouldn’t really have let it slip.
“I do feel a little bit disappointed in myself that I didn’t find a way to win it.”
For the Wimbledon tournament, they found a player that had a large following and which noisily celebrated every point.
Irish flags, green rugby and soccer shirts dotted around the outside court, which was so packed that people spilled out on to the main walkways.
It was an uncharacteristic Wimbledon vibe, a cheerful raucous support that drew people in from all corners of the club.
Niland decorated this year’s competition with pride and confidence. It wasn’t his day yesterday. He will, he says, be back.