Sunday, January 27, 2008

Champions of hearts


What a fitting finale it was! Commentators were rightly saying, "Can you say who won?" Both were smiling broadly after the match. At the end of 3 1/2 hours of engrossing tennis one could say Tennis was the real winner. One couldn’t take the eyes off that match. Well-played guys! You rocked!
No Federer, no Nadal in a Grandslam final after quite a long time. It may well be the end of a dominating era. Inspite of being a Fedex fan I liked this change. One cannot keep watching someone winning over and over again. Only when there is rivalry will a sport thrive.
When Nadal and Federer were in semis, many wouldn’t have thought of such a final. Tsonga with his Mohammad Ali looks and brutal attack have downed many a top 15 player but he fell in the final hurdle albeit after a valiant effort. The muscular Nadal had told helplessly in post-match interview, “What can one do? He has a big serve, he runs fast and he has a range of shots.” His power packed shots and indomitable stamina are great indeed! His shot to get the first set in the final was a classy lob!
Novak had created waves after his stunning victory over Fedex. How many times have we seen Federer go down in straight sets? Federer was forced to eat humble pie He had to console himself by saying, “I have created this monster that I have to win everytime. But making it to the semis is a good thing too”. He didn’t look like the dominating guy who he usually is even against an ordinary player like Tipsarevic.
There was respect and mutual admiration between the players. Novak and Sharapova, whom the “Djoker” Novak used to often make fun of,
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6909103471287172831&q=djokovic+sharapova&total=205&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
have not only become winners of the cup but also had another similarity. Both paid tribute to the opposing crowd in a magnanimous manner. Sharapova, who had knocked out Henin, had said, “Ivanovic has a great future. The Serbian crowd was very loud. But still I love you guys”. Similarly her tormentor Novak cheekily said, “If Tsonga had won today he would have been very deserved winner. The crowd wanted him to win more. But don’t worry guys I love you all.” You are champions of people’s hearts as well Maria and Novak!
There are few matches that you won’t forget for a lifetime – SA vs Aus semis in ‘99 worldcup, the epic chase of 434 by SA, Fedex-Safin semis in Aus Open ‘05, etc. This Aus Open semis and final were some of those!
Not very far from all these events in Melbourne, the honest Gilchrist has decided to hang his gloves. How many times have we seen him walking once he knows he is out! I accept that he has had his share of controversies with a ball in his glove during the recent world cup final. That apart, he has been spectacular. What a swashbuckling batsman he was! The most important aspect was that he has been the record holder for the most no of dismissals. Being a keeper when Mcgrath and Warne were bowling might make that sound simple. But he was a man who has given his 100%. Hats off Gilly!

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