The vagaries of sporting affiliation

The Australian Open Tennis is still continuing, despite no more Australians remaining to take part.

Is this fair? Well, I suspect they would have called the whole event off except for the consideration that we still have one pseudo-Aussie to cheer for.

Kim Clijsters.

But she’s Belgian! Ah yes, but she dated Lleyton Hewitt for a time. I was wondering, seeing Clijsters play, what it was that led Australians to cheer her on.

Australians cheer for little Lleyton because he’s our only hope. Once a World Number One with spirit, he still finds it possible to fight his way out of two wet paper bags but I doubt he’d manage a third. But we urge him on because, despite the fact he may be a bit of toolbox, he’s still an Australian one.

But Kimmy, as I affectionately call her, still maintains Australian support. Why?

“Because she went out with Lleyton Hewitt,” is the obvious answer, but it isn’t mine.

I cheer for Clijsters because she broke up with Hewitt. As Lleyton languishes, and Kimmy conquers, each sublime stroke and volley is salt rubbed in his underachieving wound.

“Oooo, nice shot Kimmy. Who’s on top of their game now? That’s right, you!”