15 Minutes of Fame...15 Years Ago!

Pune Junior Tennis Circuit

Year: 1994

Venue: Law College Tennis Courts

Age-group: under-8

On Court: Rohan Pandit vs Aashwin Lokhande

Classroom buddies pitted against each-other. The first tournament of my competitive career! Early morning start. I was accompanied by my coach and a fellow Tennis buddy. Only! On the other hand, Aashwin had this entire Law College Tennis fraternity behind him. Why? "Local" boy, I thought. I, obviously, was the "under-dog" against the 4th seed! Once on the court, nobody had expected the match to last long. The game kicked-off (I remember, literally kicking the ground after every point lost). On the back foot already, I almost knew where this was heading. The temper on ONE side of the net was rising, slowly.

Changeover. (pun-intended!)

I don't know what/who urged me on, but the score-line started looking better for me...a damp-squib changed into a match which further led to a battle! The tempers were rising - with a difference now - on BOTH sides of the net! It had everything - right from foot-faults to dehydration to swearing! The battle had eaten almost the entire morning. An "outside-court" fixture had transformed into a "Centre-Court" attraction! The entire Law College Tennis fraternity were quite vociferously cheering and rooting - with a difference now - for BOTH the players - EQUALLY! After much more drama, the tussle ceased. Aashwin the winner! Post-match there were handshakes, hugs, pat-on-the-backs, applause, hurrahs, fatigue for both the players...and yes - My 15 Minutes of Fame!

This post is written as part of the IndiBlogger contest with Mahindra XUV500 - (http://www.mahindraxuv500.com/)

The Golden Days of Tennis

 

And there we have it, a pretty heartbreaking season as a Federer fan. Nevertheless, congratulations to Nole, for playing some wonderful tennis and earning this well-deserved trophy and the number 1 ranking, after all that he's been this year on the tour. The fact that he beat Federer and Nadal en route to winning all the three Majors is just the icing on the cake for him. This may not last forever (what does?) but it's here, now, and that's really enough for Djokovic.

As a friend has pointed out, this blog has gone rather long without a tennis-related post. There hasn't been too much to gloat about in that area for a while, and though I really had a post planned out after Roland Garros (and then after Wimbledon), I used up all the steam replying to taunts on Facebook and then got rather bored of the whole idea.

Tennis news and reporters haven't been much fun of late, simply because they tend to sound pretty idiotic, what with writing several hundred words about a player's English or labelling people the "greatest of all time". The latter is something I find pretty naive; how can you compare a player from 20 years ago with one from today and claim the other is "better" because he won more Slams? Context, as so many forget, is très important.
So let us not forget that Federer started his career before Nadal, and so it's probably natural that he wave goodbye before him too, whenever that will be. Let's also not forget that Nadal's major challenge when he started winning the big ones came in the form of Federer, while in Federer's early years on the circuit there were a number of wonderful players, including but not limited to Hewitt, Roddick, Safin and Sampras and Agassi were still around. That's not to say that Federer was the only challenge for Nadal, but funnily enough he seems to be the only one people talk about as fading before Nadal's racquet. And while Federer's domination in those years was an exciting thing for his fans, it probably wasn't for tennis.

So today, after all these years of doing what he's done in and for the game, if he doesn't win every single Slam because other players are playing very well too (Nadal isn't dominating either) it's a great thing for tennis as a sport. If this indeed, to quote a number of sports journalists these days, is his "twilight" or "he's fading out" or "aging gracefully", hasn't he earned it? But I think it would be nice to let him do it on his own terms, without branding him with fickle headlines every other day. After the French semi-final where he defeated Djokovic, these same people were lauding his sublime skills and praising him to the skies and buzzing about his "return"; two days later they had once again written off his career. Like Andy Roddick said a few years ago, "you guys are brutal. Absolutely brutal. All he's done is won a Slam and make it to two finals? I'd love his bad year, I'd love it". Apparently, only winning every Grand Slam makes a player truly great.

And then there are the kind of commentators and journalists, who say things like "Rafa is only 25 and he has 10 Slams which is more than Federer did at that age so he's the greatest and he will break his record" - well, life, luck and a bunch of other brilliant players notwithstanding. And so what, really? So what if he wins more Slams? Did people who love Sampras hate him or undermine him when Federer won a couple more Slams than him? I hardly think that Federer will somehow become less praiseworthy just because Nadal has a couple more trophies than him on his shelf (Ask me, and I don't think Nadal's going to surpass Federer in the Majors count)

I will never like Nadal even if Federer were to vanish suddenly. I have nothing against him as a person, I simply don't enjoy watching him play. His game is all about power and bulldozing after the ball, and some might find that attractive. To each his own. Federer's game is a thing of beauty and just so artistic. Stylish. And that's what makes it so endearing to watch. It helps when a player can crack a smile now and again too, of course. As for the tears, I always rather admired them, but that's a whole other post.

15-0 Federer

By around 10-games-all in the decider last night, I'd somehow vowed to myself that whatever post I do after the match, it'll be majorly on Andy Roddick. I've written (will be writing) on MY MAN on numerous occasions and me not doing a full post on him will not undermine his credentials -

15.20.1.238

Other than an uncanny resemblance to an IP-address, these numbers mean a lot to all peRFect fans! So other than the title, I felt no need to write about Roger, again... Okay, so before Roger completely takes over me or this post rather, it was Andy Roddick's match to be won; just that the records will not say that and his name will not be engraved on the Winners' list at Wimbledon :-( On the contrary, if I'd said this before the match, even the not-so-ardent fans of Roger would've hanged me to death! For probably the first time, I don't know how Roger won eventually - luck playing a substantial part in it. Kudos to A-Rod for choosing the latter option from the two Vijay Amritraj had spoke about before the match: "A player playing on a Centre-Court at Wimbledon either gets intimated or inspired!"

More focussed than at the two finals these two played here 4-5 years ago, Roddick did show a strong resolve to turn the result in his favour this time around...and he almost was successful in it. A stunning display of serving from both players (Roger served 50 aces in the entire match, much much more than what A-Rod served - know who would believe this against him :-O) and it was just ironic that the only time Roddick was broken, it proved out to be decisive! 6-2 in the 2nd set breaker, 15-40 on Roger's serve in the latter stages of the decider - these are going to haunt him forever, believe me. Then, no wonder and understandably he'd that shattered look during the presentation ceremony. I wouldn't have been surprised even if he'd let flow a drop or two through those telling eyes evident in the picture below...


After reading all this, I bet I've prompted most of you to think why a post on Andy when one on Roger was the obvious, is because I like Roddick - be it just for his court-presence or his humbleness. I haven't seen a better player than him acknowledging his opponents' wins in a more open and honest way...and one thing he uttered during Roger's speech post-match made me feel for him, dearly -
(not verbatim)
Roger: I felt bad when I lost last year (2008) to Rafa, it hurt a lot then...so it's good to win again...
Andy: But you'd already won 5 times before that, Roger!


I'm hoping for a Goran Ivanisevic-like story for Andy...

PS: Times change for the good - this is what I'd to say exactly a year ago, click here.

Roger 1-14 By The Numbers

1 - Roland Garros title (2009) and Rafael Nadal (only player he's lost to in a Grand Slam final)

2 - Ranking at time of Roland Garros title (also '08 US Open and '04 Australian Open)

3 - Australian Open titles won (2004, '06-07)

4 - Times reached final (minimum) in each of the Grand Slam tournaments (only man to accomplish that feat)

5 - Wimbledon (2003-2007) and US Open (2004-2008) titles won and number of times he's lost to Nadal in Slam finals

6 - Sets lost during his title run at Roland Garros, the most of his Grand Slam titles, and how many different players to complete a career Grand Slam

7 - Consecutive years of winning at least one Grand Slam title

8 - Hard court titles between US Open (5) and Australian Open (3); Losses in his streak of 20 consecutive semi-final or better Grand Slam appearances

9 - Countries of opponents he's beaten in Grand Slam finals (Australia, Chile, Cyprus, Great Britain, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, and U.S.)

10 - Record consecutive Grand Slam finals reached between 2005 Wimbledon and 2007 US Open

11 - Appearances at Roland Garros before winning first title (same as Andre Agassi) and number of different opponents he's beaten in Grand Slam finals

12 - Titles won in his streak of 20 consecutive semi-final or better Grand Slam appearances

13 - Last year's US Open where Federer won his previous Grand Slam title; 2000 Wimbledon where Sampras won his

14 - Ties Pete Sampras for the most Grand Slam singles titles in the history of men's tennis

Source: ATPWorldTour.com

The Emperor Strikes Back!

The very long and agonizing wait was all worth it, Roger. The pains and heart-breaks of losing Wimbledon and Australian Open... the uncertainty for months of drought for a title... when everyone thought you’re on your way out... the doubts for years if you could be called the Greatest Of All Time without a French Open title to complete the other 3... Now, the score is settled. Even if for now this is just your second title for the year, it's the sweetest one that you've got.

"[In the modern game], you're either a Clay-court specialist, a Grass-court specialist or a Hard-court specialist...or you're Roger Federer" - Jimmy Connors

 

I just love it when a champion who is put down by everybody comes back to show his true class - to serve a reminder to people that they didn't make him the champion that he was (I'd say is) and there's no way that they are the ones who write him off. Super show, Roger.

 

In fact, Roland Garros 2009, I thought, was Roger's worst display at a Major with respect to his usual dominance and he literally scrapped past in a couple of matches leading to the Final; but the Final had its own touch of Federer-magic, regaining ascendancy before long. Although many, before yesterday's triumph, considered not having won the French Open to be a disaster for him, he's had 20 consecutive semi-final or better appearances in Grand-slams guys - that's bloody consistency for you - not just a stat! And now - beware of the wrath of The Emperor in the year 2009 - 16 at the end of the year - WOW! :-)

 

If I may say so myself, it's an honour to live in the same era as the GREATEST Tennis player ever! Immortality!

"God, It's Killing Me..."

I don't remember the last time I was so attached to a sporting personality - emotionally and otherwise; but then Roger Federer is not just "a sporting personality" for me! He's far more than that... Today, Roger cried, so did Rogerhan :'( And for those who think this was a sissy display of emotion, may please stop reading this post! Perhaps, it was necessary for him to let it out at that moment; equally, for us to believe that he's a human after all!!! Regardless of the result, I would be the last one to change loyalties :-) Roger will always be MY MAN! Take a break, come back stronger. I know you will :-) Roland Garros, SW 19 and the Flushing Meadows are awaiting you, Rog! And yes, congratulations to Rafa for the title as well as the sportsmanship he showed.

AO FeVer!

First of all congratulations and thank you, both, Fernando and Rafa for providing some breath-taking Tennis!!! (it's been sometime since I said it without Roger being a part of it :-P)

5 hrs 14 mins of ultra-high intensity Tennis and FeVer almost did it! It just re-kindled memories of the Wimbledon '08 Final...I fail to understand from where these guys manage to muster so much energy. 5 hours and neither showed any signs of letting it go, where on the other hand, for us, even an hour of playing some lame Tennis, leads to "bed-rest" for a day!!! :-D I'm kinda dumbstruck at this moment...so I don't think I'll be able to conjure up more words. I'll just share a small fact about the Australian Open, that I guess, makes it interesting - The AO has always been a place for out-of-nowhere players (at least for the last 4 years or so...) who have set the stage, err, Tennis-court alight! Marcos Baghdatis (2006) - Finalist Fernando Gonzalez (2007) - Finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2008) - Finalist Fernando Verdasco (2009) - Semifinalist (How I wish I could say, Finalist!) Sadly, none has been able to extend the "fairy-tale" beyond the final :-( And without guesses, Roger's the man who has stopped their juggernaut on two occasions! I just hope the final doesn't prove to be an anticlimax! PS: And for those who still haven't got FeVer; read: Fernando Verdasco! I've actually lost count of the no. of exclamation marks keyed in here :-P

Greetings to THE Roger Federer

Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag, Rog!

A very unique birthday for you - 08.08.08 and to top it off, the Olympics have also kicked-off as I am writing this, wow!!! Goodluck for the Games and am sure, you're gonna end up as a champ, alles gute :-)

The traditional German Birthday song goes something like this -

Hoch soll sie leben! (Long may she live!)
Hoch soll sie leben! Dreimal hoch! (Three cheers!)

While the cat's away the mice play, eh?

How ridiculous to see the others scrapping over your trophies while you're absent, Roger. They're like a pack of desperate vultures. It reminds me of the time after Sampras retired and before you blasted your way onto the scene...

Tennis was just waiting for that spark of genius to set it alight. Then fate/life/destiny/whatever said "Ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr.Roger Federer" and we all jumped with joy. Now we're waiting for "Ladies and gentlemen I give you the new, improved Mr.Roger Federer Part II".

I read somewhere that you were described as being "as smooth as a bar of Lindt chocolate". How true. I look forward to you coming back and putting these Milky Bar kids back in the kindergarten where they belong.

A Letter to Roger - completely heartfelt

Roger,

I’m sure you’re disappointed but you should be really proud to have been a part of such an epic final, and the way you fought and played is exceptional and inspiring.

It’s suiting really that it was a dark day in Wimbledon when you lost, but you’ve got so much to be proud of and your fans are always proud of you…nothing can take away everything you have achieved and you will never be forgotten for the champion you are. You know, it’s been a long while since I’ve watched one of your losses and not shed a tear out of sadness, but tonight I haven’t.

I like to think you have taught me a better attitude towards sport and competition, and a stronger belief in what I do. It might sound corny but that’s all I can think of to say. It’s hard to see you lose sometimes because it doesn’t feel right, but it’s better than not seeing you at all. We’re so lucky to have you around and not surprisingly, we never want you to leave. Never stop, Roger. You are a champion in every way and always will be. I don’t know if my words mean anything to you but they’re true.

Love and Respect,
Rogerhan