Tennis and Rafael Nadal

One follows tennis for the sheer energy and the agility in the sport. No other sport known to mankind seems to give the 'feel' of the game like this one does. That, even for one watching the sport in TV. Yesterday, I was watching the 2nd round US Open Men's singles between Rafael Nadal and Deheart. There are only a few sportsmen in this world that has the capability of making you jubilant with every move of theirs during the game, if you support them and cringe with frustration, if you support the opponent. Most of you would not disagree when I say how it feels to be a fan of Sachin when he is in full form in a winning match against let’s say, Pakistan. At the same time, you know how it feels to be a Pakistani supporter, while Sachin blasts the kookaburra all around. Rafa is the only other player who in my opinion can give a similar feeling to the audience, depending on if one supports him or otherwise.

I used to hate Rafa for the very fact that he played almost every Grand slam final in the last couple of years. And mostly against Federer, who was incidentally my Fav only after Sampras. Rafa getting to the finals almost became a routine, just like how frustrating it was to watch Venus and Serena play almost all women's grand slam finals. As much as I hated to watch Nadal play, his sheer aggressiveness and the attitude on and off the field made him seem more like a real fighter. Or in better terms, a gladiator. No matter whom he plays against, he makes sure that he doesn't let go that easily. If he gets beaten by a good volley or loses a tough rally, he comes back hard. He approaches the next point with aggression mixed with finesse and wins it, mostly. Just like how Sachin (in top form) goes after the bowler when beaten by one good lucky delivery.

If the opponent is easy, Rafa crushes him, showing little mercy. Over time, Rafa has reached a position where it leaves one in surprise when he makes an unforced error. He strives for perfection and that’s exactly what it takes to be a No.1 player. Federer is more a composed and yet, a compulsive player. As much he is considered to be one of the greatest players in the tennis history, a much younger Rafa is taking over the throne after much of strenuous hard work and discipline. As much as one hated Rafa, it is admiring to observer the way he is climbing up. The very body language of his shows no pressure on winning whatsoever. That is something I have seen in a very few players. Winning seems easy for him.

For the sheer love of the game, one might think 'No matter who wins or loses, the sport is the winner!', but certain players like Rafa redefine. They invariably ascertain what the game is all about. And I love it.

Tennis!

Watching Tennis is experiencing heaven on earth. Just like how kaapi is the only known elixir for humans. I wake up in the middle of the night or be up all night, just to watch some skillful back-hand returns or adept half-volleys or aesthetic aces. Tennis is the only sport which never leaves me bored. Thank God, I don't get to see this rat fight IPL. Roland Garros enthuses.

One wouldn't mind to indulge oneself in tennis 24x7, even if it means half the current remuneration and a career cul de sac!

Cricket, Tennis, my sleep and my future!

After dinner, I sat down to sparse thru the TV channels till my brain screams me to hit the bed. I happened to see that Sania Mirza is playing Venus Williams in the third round of Australian Open and the match is expected to begin 7.30pm Melbourne time. And that means 3.30am Eastern time - I thought for a while - Sania's face flashed across me - I decided in an instant that I'm gonna be awake and watch the match. I was as well following the Ind Vs Aus 3rd test cricket in Cricinfo online. If Indians don't win this match, I thought they can better call themselves 'Unfit for International cricket'. But they did peform decently well and that gave me all the more reasons to be up.

I was completely obsessed with nothing but Tennis and Cricket from 10pm to 7.30am EST. In addition to the happy feeling for India ending the Aussies' streak, I saw three interesting Tennis matches - 1. James Blake def Sebastian Grosjean(5 setter), 2. Roger Federed def Janko Tipsarevic(5 setter again) and 3. Sania Mirza lost to Venus Williams. Federer's match was a real entertainer for me, as I was somehow hoping that Federer would lose since I did like the way Tipsarevic played. But poor him, he lost in the 5th set 8-10. And this match prolonged to delay the Sania's match up until 5.30am EST. And then came the sights of Indian flag and Sania - the lone Indian woman tennis star. It's been two years since I watched Sania live. And in this match against Venus, I noticed that she has clearly matured into a whole-different player, displaying more aggression, cool sportsmanship and the attitude of 'Nothing to lose'.

She would have won the match, if it was anyone else than Venus. I did enjoy Sania's forehand volleys, back-hand returns, her innocent smile and her occassional 'oh_no_why_did_I_hit_that_shot' kind of screams! She had the charm and the charisma and she has all the potential to be the number one, if she works hard. Overall, it was a pretty good night for me.

Also, I hereby declare that I do like Sania and I wouldn't give a second thought to accept, if she proposes to me! ;)