Imagine this: legendary British tennis player John Lloyd, known for his career and battles on the court, almost became a victim of his own defeat – in a bathtub! Yes, you read that right. It all happened during one of the most famous tennis tournaments in the world, Wimbledon, after an exhausting four-hour match he lost to Phil Dent.
After losing the five-set match, Lloyd was so drained and mentally broken that he went to the locker room, found it empty, and decided to relax in a hot bath. But instead of relaxation, a nightmare unfolded! While thinking about the key points he lost, his hand cramped from the soap, and then his whole body started to cramp. Lloyd began slipping down in the water and was drowning – literally fighting for his life in a Wimbledon bathtub!
At that moment, instead of seeing his life flash before his eyes, his ego took over, and he started thinking about the newspaper headlines the next day – how everyone would think he committed suicide because of the loss. Luckily, at the right moment, another tennis player entered the bathroom after a party and noticed something was wrong. He pulled Lloyd out of the water and saved his life.
This story, revealed by former Roland Garros champion and world No. 3 Barker in her new book, shows how enormous the psychological pressure on athletes is. John Lloyd was luckier than wise, and now, at 70 years old, he works as a consultant and recounts this incredible anecdote that could have ended tragically.
This story is not just about tennis but about how ego can sometimes take over and how pressure can push us to the edge. Just imagine – losing a match and almost drowning in a bathtub from stress! If you think sports are just a game, think again.
And now, as you ponder this, take a look at your favorite athletes and ask yourself – how many of them hide their dark moments behind smiles and victories? And you, do you have a crazy life story that can compete with this one? Don’t be shy, share it in the comments, maybe you’ll make us all laugh or shock us even more!
