It is that time of the year
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Play suspended".
We would hear that a lot during the next fortnight where we would definitely see this guy Alan Mills holding the microphone and continuously watching the sky, with a hope that "Lord, let it not rain heavily today".(He cant ask for "Lord, let it not rain", thats overambitious, but he might be lucky on few days though)
So, action shifts to the most famous lawns of the world, once again to SW 19, London today. I have been watching tennis for more than 15 years now: my memory stretches back to the good old DD days, when we never used to get DD metro at our home and whenever DD-1 used to broadcast its daily news in the night, 8.30pm - 9pm in Tamil and 9pm -9.30pm in English, when our hearts used to palpitate, "Oh, God, who would have won Steffi or Seles?".. "Damn it, why do the four metros alone get this DD-2?"
Though we have four grand slams, not many of them care about the Aussie and the US open. There is something magical about Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Its these two that fascinates people a lot. And may be for differernt reasons: the french tests your endurance, stamina and patience. It takes really a lot of these qualities to become a winner of Parisian clay.
But, Wimbledon...It is that time of the year, (two weeks after the french open as always), when we have this limited grass court season. It is that time of the year, when we would see Spanish players(males specifically) would get mysterious shoulder injuries and pull out of 'The Championships'. It is that time of the year when Serena Williams would seriously think about her tennis. It is that time of the year when 'Henman Hill' would be bustling with hysterical people,hoping that their hero would win atleast this year and simultaneously,It is that time of the year when British newspapers would carry the headlines "Why Henman cannot win at Wimbledon". It is that time of the year when we would have mindboggling truth revealed by few players: "Grass is for cows to eat". And more importantly, It is that time of the year when more than a century old tradition would sketch one more beautiful episode on the grass.
Wimbledon is all about tradition: starting from the first match on the Centre Court which would always feature the defending champion of the 'Gentlemen singles', to even the way in which matches are scheduled and the time they are scheduled: It is unique. Second tuesday always the 'Ladies Qtr Finals' day,Second wednesday Qtr finals for men and so on with semis and finals: Its always scheduled the same way every year(what happens actually is left to the rain gods). Dress code has to be maintained strictly: Only whites. The way ball boys and ball girls pass the balls to other side is itself a pleasant sight to watch.Compare the same to that of US open and you would see how it all sucks at Newyork. I guess Wimbledon would be the only grand slam still where doubles event for men is still played as best of five sets. No where else you can find the same.
But, yeah, the most important thing about Wimbledon is the surface itself. Agility is the word. How quick can you move,how quick you can respond, how good are your reflexes. I was watching yesterday on TV a Bjorg-Mcenroe final at Wimbledon, what a match that was!It is really sad that we are losing a breed of tennis players - serve and volleyers I mean. We have very few left: Henman, who else? Anybody?Atleast I cant think of anyone among men, you can say Federer would adapt himself to the surface and do the same, but among women, forget it.The last I saw was Jana Novotna.
And now to My pick for this year's Championships: Among men, no doubt, definitely I am going for Federer, I guess he is the most accomplished player out there and when asked whats his top priority for this year, he said, "To defend my Wimbledon title and to keep my top ranking". Thats something he has won for two years now, and he wants to emulate Sampras' record of seven titles and he is very serious about it. And of course, he has lost twice this year at the semifinal stage at a Grand slam and so he would be more than desperate to win here. I guess he would be less threatened here.
Among women: This is what Serena Williams remembers from Sharapova's victory speech after accepting the trophy last year(I am recalling whatever I could remember)."I know you like to have this trophy.But I like it very much as well. I am going to keep this trophy away from you for one year atleast". And Serena cant wait to avenge that defeat last year to the russian.She does not like to lose and particularly at Wimbledon. I am going to stick with Serena this time.
Interesting fact is: Serena, Henin and Sharapova are in the same half of the draw.Sharapova is scheduled to meet Henin at the quarters and Serena in the semis. I guess even if serena falters, it is gonna be Henin or Sharapova who is gonna win this time. And my choices are in this order
1. Serena
2. Justine Henin Hardenne
3. Sharapova
What happens actually: Time would tell in two weeks. Well, leave you with the most famous lines of Rudyard Kipling written for the players before their entrance to the Centre Court at Wimbledon:
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same
Actually, I found the whole of the poem here. Check it out.
We would hear that a lot during the next fortnight where we would definitely see this guy Alan Mills holding the microphone and continuously watching the sky, with a hope that "Lord, let it not rain heavily today".(He cant ask for "Lord, let it not rain", thats overambitious, but he might be lucky on few days though)
So, action shifts to the most famous lawns of the world, once again to SW 19, London today. I have been watching tennis for more than 15 years now: my memory stretches back to the good old DD days, when we never used to get DD metro at our home and whenever DD-1 used to broadcast its daily news in the night, 8.30pm - 9pm in Tamil and 9pm -9.30pm in English, when our hearts used to palpitate, "Oh, God, who would have won Steffi or Seles?".. "Damn it, why do the four metros alone get this DD-2?"
Though we have four grand slams, not many of them care about the Aussie and the US open. There is something magical about Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Its these two that fascinates people a lot. And may be for differernt reasons: the french tests your endurance, stamina and patience. It takes really a lot of these qualities to become a winner of Parisian clay.
But, Wimbledon...It is that time of the year, (two weeks after the french open as always), when we have this limited grass court season. It is that time of the year, when we would see Spanish players(males specifically) would get mysterious shoulder injuries and pull out of 'The Championships'. It is that time of the year when Serena Williams would seriously think about her tennis. It is that time of the year when 'Henman Hill' would be bustling with hysterical people,hoping that their hero would win atleast this year and simultaneously,It is that time of the year when British newspapers would carry the headlines "Why Henman cannot win at Wimbledon". It is that time of the year when we would have mindboggling truth revealed by few players: "Grass is for cows to eat". And more importantly, It is that time of the year when more than a century old tradition would sketch one more beautiful episode on the grass.
Wimbledon is all about tradition: starting from the first match on the Centre Court which would always feature the defending champion of the 'Gentlemen singles', to even the way in which matches are scheduled and the time they are scheduled: It is unique. Second tuesday always the 'Ladies Qtr Finals' day,Second wednesday Qtr finals for men and so on with semis and finals: Its always scheduled the same way every year(what happens actually is left to the rain gods). Dress code has to be maintained strictly: Only whites. The way ball boys and ball girls pass the balls to other side is itself a pleasant sight to watch.Compare the same to that of US open and you would see how it all sucks at Newyork. I guess Wimbledon would be the only grand slam still where doubles event for men is still played as best of five sets. No where else you can find the same.
But, yeah, the most important thing about Wimbledon is the surface itself. Agility is the word. How quick can you move,how quick you can respond, how good are your reflexes. I was watching yesterday on TV a Bjorg-Mcenroe final at Wimbledon, what a match that was!It is really sad that we are losing a breed of tennis players - serve and volleyers I mean. We have very few left: Henman, who else? Anybody?Atleast I cant think of anyone among men, you can say Federer would adapt himself to the surface and do the same, but among women, forget it.The last I saw was Jana Novotna.
And now to My pick for this year's Championships: Among men, no doubt, definitely I am going for Federer, I guess he is the most accomplished player out there and when asked whats his top priority for this year, he said, "To defend my Wimbledon title and to keep my top ranking". Thats something he has won for two years now, and he wants to emulate Sampras' record of seven titles and he is very serious about it. And of course, he has lost twice this year at the semifinal stage at a Grand slam and so he would be more than desperate to win here. I guess he would be less threatened here.
Among women: This is what Serena Williams remembers from Sharapova's victory speech after accepting the trophy last year(I am recalling whatever I could remember)."I know you like to have this trophy.But I like it very much as well. I am going to keep this trophy away from you for one year atleast". And Serena cant wait to avenge that defeat last year to the russian.She does not like to lose and particularly at Wimbledon. I am going to stick with Serena this time.
Interesting fact is: Serena, Henin and Sharapova are in the same half of the draw.Sharapova is scheduled to meet Henin at the quarters and Serena in the semis. I guess even if serena falters, it is gonna be Henin or Sharapova who is gonna win this time. And my choices are in this order
1. Serena
2. Justine Henin Hardenne
3. Sharapova
What happens actually: Time would tell in two weeks. Well, leave you with the most famous lines of Rudyard Kipling written for the players before their entrance to the Centre Court at Wimbledon:
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same
Actually, I found the whole of the poem here. Check it out.
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