Tennis time folks!

It was the semifinal match between Nadal and Federer and it had been atleast a couple of years since I had stopped following tennis. My erstwhile idols Sampras and Rafter both left without much fuss and I had thrown back my head proclaiming that tennis had become the playground of the power hitters. Roddick and the Williams sisters were my immediate proof. However I started taking notice of the build up to Roland Garros and this match was predicted from the start to be the showpiece.I rushed to the library only to find out there was no live telecast and there would be a recording that would be played about 4 hours later.

Determined I shut myself off from the world, literally banging the phone down on one of my friends to simulate a live match for I had waited long. And of course the match did not disappoint unlike Federer who did, with his umpteen unforced errors but the young Nadal’s grit as well as ability was remarkable. However I understood why Federer was the number one and his finesse reminded me of Pat Rafter. The more I saw him the more I liked him. Nadal won in 4 sets and well I had become a Federer fan though. I liked Nadal too but well sometimes you can’t explain why you support a certain player.

Nadal’s vociferous “ ¡Vamos!” was a sight to behold and it reminded me of the Liverpool captain Steve Gerrard from a couple of weeks ago. 0-3 down they scored thrice in 6 minutes against Milan to create history. In the 1999 Cricket world cup I remember Shane Warne against South Africa yelling a fierce “Come on” after two quick wickets and Australia literally turned the tide banking on one person’s heroic performance.

Looking back my tryst with sports started rather early and tennis was one of the first. I still have a vivid recollection of supporting the unseeded Boris Becker to his maiden victory at Wimbeldon against Kevin Curran. He had defeated Andres Jarryd in the semis. Curran was the favourite because he had defeated I believe Connors in the semi’s and Mcenroe enroute to the finals The year was 1985 and I was about to turn 5! I watched on black and white on Doordarshan ( India’s national tv).I had savoured the feeling of having supported the underdog to an improbable victory and I could not help but feel he could not have done so without me! The next year(1986) I voraciously read the papers egged Becker on to the finals and well I could not watch the finals cause some damn guy died. I was pretty pissed and I could not understand why he could not die a day later! However Becker defeated Lendl and I defeated my father!. I saw the recording and was thrilled.

The next year (1987)Becker lost to Doohan in the first round. I am pretty sure it was Patrick Doohan because I nursed a grudge against him for a long time! I used to open the penultimate page of the local newspaper “ The Hindu” with trembling hands fervently praying Becker should have gone through. In the Women’s I liked Chris Evert a wee bit before of course Steffi Graf cause she was from Becker’s country! I had my first crush on Gabriela Sabatini and could not understand why she could not win more tournaments!

My focus was on the Wimbledon though I remember some outstanding matches. It was some French open finals Mats Wilander vs Ivan Lendl, I think it was the longest match then which Wilander won much to my delight! Also I was forced to support Pat Cash against Lendl ( cos I could not stand Lendl !). Besides he had said “ Grass is for cows” and I felt he had alluded that Becker was a cow . Hence there was no way in the world I would even take pity on him and grant him a Wimbledon title, the only slam he had never won.

Stefan Edberg another one of the player I had a fondness for defeated Becker in 1988 and 1990. Becker defeated him in 99. I remember one semi final match I think when Edberg did a comeback of sorts again Miroslav Mecir and at the end I think jumped over the net to extend his hand for the customary handshake!

Michael Chang won the French open becoming the youngest ever to do so but he did not find my favour! Jim Courier too unfortunately with his back to back French open titles irked me! And my solace came in form of the stylish Sergei Bruguera who I have to admit was hopelessly outclassed on all other surfaces but clay. My agony knew no bounds when Becker lost to countryman Stich. I could hardly believe it! I think it was 1991 and well I was a grownup(11 years old) and could now take the letdowns! 1992 Agassi defeated Ivanisivec and I could not bear it. How could he double fault in the crucial final set when so much was at stake. Andres Gomez defeat of Agassi was welcome and by now I had come to believe I would like no American but Connors! The Sampras reign begun in 1993 (except once when Krajicek had other ideas!) and well I had come to like the quiet shy American! Becker victory at Australian open as well as Flushing meadows convinced me that he was very versatile! Of course Sampras toyed with him one Wimbledon semi-finals after Becker won a set. The heyday of Boris was over. I had to move on, Sampras was good but was mechanical. He was clinical efficient but I often yearned for the grace of Becker. I thought I would not see another graceful artist until I saw Rafter. I saw him and at once I knew from his cheeky drops that he was the man. He did not have an illustrious career thanks to injuries but I adored him. And now I feel the same seeing Federer. What an artist!

Well Nadal won the French open and his “ ¡Vamos!” rented the air in the battle of the two Spanish speaking southpaws. Puerta tried really hard but was outclassed by Nadal who was celeberating each point like it was the championship. I was floored by his attitude and of course I guess it is tempting to make an analogy with life and the need for a similar attitude with that game!

I don’t know why I wrote all this but sports in my life has been the centrestage has stroked my dearest passions and I am glad that I have not tended to grow out of it!