In a Perfect World, in Tennis!

I am a lone Rafa fan among a bunch of stupid friends who are Federer fans. Sorry for delaying this but I kept it in waiting so that I can dedicate it. This piece is for all the big Federer fans out there, especially MY GREAT, AWESOME FRIEND, PRASIDDHA who is ready to crash onto Saturn along with Cassini space orbiter if it would make her meet Roger Federer. (You win today, but one day I will win too!)

In a perfect world, in the sport of tennis, the perfect tennis rankings would feature Roger Federer at the top, followed by Rafael Nadal in the second place. The perfect grandslam final would be played between these both, with Nadal thrashing Federer on clay or a slow surface and a fierce battle ensued between them on other surfaces. And for a period of time, a record 160 weeks to be specific, this did happen in tennis. Everything was perfect, until other beauties like Novak Djokovic took over the crown. However, there is only one perfect situation and true tennis fans have missed it for a long time even with Rafa and Roger around.

And for once, just once, there came another chance. Again, everything was perfectly for the setting. In unexpected, yet delightful turn of events, the best players in the world right now, Djokovic and Andy Murray lost cheaply in early rounds in the Australian Open while Wawrinka and Dimitrov just scared the many a fan for a brief time. Thus, after six years, the result was, the perfect moment came once again. Called together by their colloquial name, 'Fedal,' they did play like true gladiators that they are but only a bit old and weary. They both knew Federer's time was up (sorry, Federer fans, sadly this is true) and this match is the last big thing that they could do together! Ah the lovely couple and their sad break up!!  Even the craziest of Nadal fan would have not worried if he lost. Because he would be losing to Roger Federer! No one cares who wins as long as they get to see them play each other in a major. And they did not disappoint. They fought and they fought bitterly. Federer the ever child he is and Nadal the ever fighter he is. They fought for the championship. No reason for Nadal fans to be upset. After all, this is just Australian Open. Not the Wimbledon nor the Roland Garros (better than the US Open though). I am sure that if Nadal continues this kind of a show, we know what birthday present he is going to give himself this year.

This would be the end. We only walk forward. No going back! 

Both were gracious. They played for the victory like they always did. They played for the tennis fan and importantly, they played for tennis, the lovely game that Sir Isaac Newton improvised sitting in the lawns of Cambridge. It could be tough to play to balance all the three. They did it because it is them, 'Fedal.' They are now not two different players. And now, there will not be one clear winner in the match. Just as Federer wonderfully said after the match, 'If tennis allows it, they both would be sharing the trophy.' And yes, they spoke wonderfully. It was as if both of them prepared for a speech together, which could be used irrespective of who won. They both carried the same grace and competitiveness right from their game into the speech. The speech was spontaneous but felt well rehearsed like the Nobel prize or the Academy award acceptance speech. Well, this match was definitely the Oscar of tennis, it is only once in a lifetime event.

If this match did not display the spirit of tennis, nothing would have. Of course, most of their encounters and many other tennis encounters did display the spirit. But they played a grandslam final like an exhibition match. It takes great sportsmanship to do so. They also perfectly understood the gravity of the situation. While they celebrated each point which they won so hard, they also knew to celebrate in the 'non hurtful' way. It is as if both of them knew the other's fanbase. They wanted to keep everyone happy, yet wholeheartedly fight for the trophy. That is the return they have given for all the love that they received. This match has taken the Federer-Nadal rivalry to another level: it paired their names. A Fedal match is now not something which tennis fans would watch to support one player. It is the whole match as a package that they would be interested in. Of course, they are never going to meet in a grand slam final again. Their (read Federer's) age will not allow them to. Their (read Nadal's) body and fitness will not allow it and their rankings definitely will not help. This is it. This is the last that we have seen them play each other in a major final and they made it a true tennis match which makes the average tennis fan go like, ' Well, that is for a lifetime!' 

Once a King, always a King!

This article has been copied from www.sportskeeda.com.
For the full article, please visit
http://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/once-a-king-always-a-king-nadal-2015


This is the first time in ten years that Rafael Nadal has dropped out of the top five ranks. More importantly, this is the first time ever that he is going into the Roland Garros without atleast one 500 Masters trophy. There is the Rome Masters but do not expect him to win it because there is a reason behind it. The reason, he wants to win the French Open this year too without any stress.

Let us once compare his pre-French open statistics of 2014 and 2015.

Tournament	2014 Result	2015 Result
Qatar Open	Won	First Round
Australian Open	Finalist	Quarter Finals
Rio Open	Won	Semi Finals
Buenos Aires Open	Did Not Play	Won
Indian Wells Masters	Third Round	Quarter Finals
Miami Masters	Finalist	Third Round
Monte Carlo Masters	Quarters	Semi Finals
Barcelona Open	Finalist	Third Round
Madrid Masters	Won	Finalist

Well, there is not much of a difference in the number of major titles he has won. Probably, the Madrid Masters?? That too which he won against an injured Nishikori in 2014. The only big difference between the two years is that he could not save a lot of points. But, one can be sure that all this is mostly set up.

Back in 2014, before the finals of the French Open, there was a war of words between Nadal and Djokovic with either of them praising the other and all. That was a mind game never seen during French Open, at least. With Nadal winning the tournament every year, there is an increasing urge for other players to snatch it away from him and there is definitely a pride for Nadal to keep it with him. But time travels and even the strongest lion becomes weaker. It is then that it should use some wits to remain the king of the jungle!

Nadal has done exactly that. By praising Djoko last year, he literally removed all the heavy expectations the fans had on him. Remember him and Toni say that the ................http://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/once-a-king-always-a-king-nadal-2015...................

#vamosrafa

Who?

 Who is it this time? Its a nice coincidence that Djokovic and Kvitova were the champions three years ago. The next year, Roger was the champion and Bouchard the hunior champion.
Of course there are two other possibilities but I don't have the pictures of those possibilities!!
I am very upset that Rafael Nadal could not make it. It definitely is sad. Its not always that we might have a chance to see Rafa and Genie Bouchard at the Wimbledon ball!! Tough luck
Nadal should have taken the care he is taking now about his health six years ago and he would have had 17 Grandslams by now. Anyway, U.S open suits him the best after French open. So, hoping he would win there.
Anyway, I hope the matches today and tomorrow will be good ones. They should be.

Cricket!! It belongs to India

Cricket was born in 1300 and India entered the cricketing scene in 1930s. Ever since, we forgot there are other sports. Of course, we rule cricket and created a God for ourself. Speaking of God, now, shall we start the third world war if the Archbishop of the diocese of Spain said he did not know who Hanuman is!! C'mon, Maria Sharapova is just a famous model and a publiciser of her own sweets and some times plays tennis, very good tennis by the way. What is wrong if she doesn't know who Sachin Tendulkar is! Of course, it would be only good if athletes knew atleast about the greats in other sports. After all, sports is their field.

 

Cricket belongs to India. Well, I really should say India belongs to cricket. How many of us Indians knew that Somdev Devvarman lost in the first round at Wimbledon this year. Oh yeah! Devvarman is a tennis player from India! What if Sharapova said that she did not know who Leander Paes(by the way, a tennis player from India!!) was. What would the twitter account holders from India do? Why only cricket?

Now, talking about cricket, there are what? A ten countries playing proper cricket? And the Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) apparently mistook I for International. Seriously, N.Srinivasan, the chariman of International Cricket Council?? Is ICC a shelter home for those who were kicked out of BCCI?? Maybe now Chennai Super Kings players can play for England or Australia if they don't make it to the Indian cricket team. And Rajasthan players can forget their dream of even playing cricket.

India, with over three crore Gods spanning over various fields, failed to create Gods in various sports. Or atleast more gods in cricket atleast. Agreed, Sharapova was too blunt in saying she didn't know who Sachin is. But this is not how she should remember who Sachin is. "That guy who has angry fans" or "That legend who holds most of cricketing record"??
Certainly and unfortunately, the first one might hold here!! Sad for Sachin! 

Not even a bite!! Never!!

Of course!! Of course...that's Roland Garros and that's Rafael Nadal! He owns it. Like Bill Gates owns Microsoft! And he owned it the hard way. Nine times, and not always, it has been easy. His biggest enemy, his body has been troubling for the past..never mind..all through his career. So much that he quotes 2013 season to be his best as he has come out of 222 days of injury and with a bang!! By the way, all this he achieved against the fans of Federer and Djokovic together in recent times, even when he played against one of those!! The king of clay he is!!
Seriously, I am ready to spend and sacrifice anything to watch him play in the Philippe Chatrier court on that final day of French Open (he always will play on that day, until he retires!!)

http://www.unscriptd.com/stories/612-rafael-nadal-%28doubts%29/

Eight of his French Open titles have been different. Seldom did he come under a threat of losing the trophy. He did once, but that's due to injury..all of us know it. But, I felt this ninth one to be different. One: obviously, his body is sore again. Two: the opponent is Novak Djokovic!! If there is anyone who can claim to beat Rafa on clay, it's him. Three: He did just that at Rome and had an advantage of winning the last four clashes coming into the finals. The difference I felt is that, though this is a clash of equals, it has been more of a mind game than anything else. I haven't seen such fierce mind game in recent times. Of course, it became famous thus!

Djokovic's co-coach, Boris Becker said, "It is a wide and huge court and clearly Nadal has a visual advantage!" As if Djokovic was half blind! Djokovic put Nadal on the back foot by talking about the recent head-to-head. Nadal went on to reply that Djokovic could never defeat him at Paris on clay. Both the players went to the match happily agreeing that the other is the clear favourite!! I doubt if losing the first set was part of a plan Nadal had on his mind because he played so well in the rest of the three sets!! Anyway, one interesting fact I found is, back in 2012 too, Maria Sharapova won the women's singles and Nadal beat Djokovic in the finals in four sets. And the winning points game of double fault by Djokovic...Same now!

So, for nine years in the last ten, Rafael Nadal kept on biting the French Open title, for once giving a chance for Roger Federer, his favourite, to taste it. It is tough for any other to get a bite of that huge trophy as long as he is playing there!! I hope so too! VAMOSRAFA!!!

Set for Sampras and the curious case of Joe Bloggs!!

As a swiss sensation who raised to fame by defeating Andy Murray in the U.S open (Murray won just the previous year!! So...calling him a worthy opponent!)  last year fought hard this year to beat the champion at his fortress in a quite thrilling five setter, I think the road ahead for the Spain bull is clear and he is inches away from his fourteenth grand slam. Of course I did not forget Roger. Yes, I am a Rafa fan! But clearly he has the form and edge too!!

I would love a Roger-Rafa final but it can at maximum be a semi final. Whatever it is, I hope they both meet. Long time since I have seen them play in a grand slam!! I think the last time was in the 2012 semis here at Melbourne!!??
Special credits to Stan Wawrinka for thumping the defending champion, Novak in a tough match. Some of the shots Stan played were super beauties and his stamina is also pretty good. Better times ahead for this guy!!
I would love to see Nadal equaling Pete Sampras's number of grand slams. He is fresh from his win in the first week of the year at Doha.... Wish you a very Happy Birthday!!

On the other end of the globe in Paris...in a super specialty hospital, a legend of another sport is forced into coma. " If survived, Micheal Schumacher will not be Schumacher" said the doctor. Interesting subject for a medical student. Parts of his brain would be replaced by the one of a Mr.Joe Bloggs or so I heard. Interesting!! But if that is done, Schumacher would be dead without the world realising it!!

Well, like many others, I too thought that Joe Bloggs was a person. And like many other times, I am mistaken. Joe Bloggs or Fred Bloggs is a placeholder name used in Europe. It is like Ramesh and Suresh in our five star advertisement. Just a name to say that Schumacher will no longer be Schumi. He will be a common man. He might start following Formula One like thousands others forgetting that he was a champion once before. That would be good in a sense. He can start a new life without thinking about his past glory. Who nows he might rule the world in this new odyssey.

What a Start!!

Happy new year people!!
A beautiful start this year for me. I passed in all the subjects in my last semester. I started trying to fulfill my new year resolution and I hear, if not all, mostly good news!
Two brilliant news pieces.

One. We have launched GSLV(Geo Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) successfully using completely indigenous technology. For years we did not have the proper cryogenic technology and the developed nations never shared that technology with us. Finally, like how we proved our self sustainability through 'Chandrayaan,' we could finally build our own GSLV. Recently I was talking to an American space scientist about India in space science and he was showing pity on us for not being able to produce proper GSLVs. Now I show him this piece of news. Hello sir!!

Ah! the other grand opening this year is a little distance towards the west to India. At Doha, the 'Spain Bull,' Rafael Nadal has won the Qatar Open by defeating Gael Monfils in the final. This is the first time he has won a tournament in the opening week of the year!!

So, many firsts...beautiful start...wait for LEGEN many other good DARY posts too!!