We often hear about Indian tennis players lacking skill and substance to make it to the main draws of events as big as the Grand Slams.
And well after Leander Paes stopped playing singles in the Majors, the struggle for a substitute continues. But on Friday, when news filtered in that strong Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi from Pakistan made it to the main draw of Wimbledon by winning his final qualifying round at Roehampton, it was good news.
Unlike India, the tennis structure across the border is almost at a nascent stage. They do have a grasscourt nationals and a few ITF events, but nothing like what we have in India as a far as a professional structure goes.
Indians have seen Aisam play in Mumbai twice last year, first when he almost threatened to snatch away the Davis Cup tie from the hosts. The second time was in September when he paired with Leander Paes at the Mumbai ATP Open. And on both instances, Aisam the charmer was a big hit with women.
I have seen Aisam a few times. He is big, serves and volleys well and has a large heart. And had it not been for the fact he plays in a country where the tennis culture is not strong, he would have perhaps done even better.
I have seen Mahesh Bhupathi, the last Indian to qualify for the Big W main draw in 1998. He was then 24 and went on to play a five-setter against Carlos Moya on the showcourts in the main draw first round.
In Aisam’s case, he is 27 -- certainly a late bloomer. His low ATP ranking does not justify his potential. But the reality is, when you compare Indian tennis with Pakistan today, to see someone from across the border in the main draw of Wimbledon is very big.
I doubt if even in the next five years we will have a gentleman (that’s what they call them in the suburbs of London at SW 19) in the main draw of Wimbledon. Aisam had, in fact, paired with Rohan Bopanna at Challenger events in UK three-four years back.
The difference is there for all to see, Aisam in the main draw and Rohan still far behind…
Friday, June 22, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Kalmadi steps on the gas!
I have often heard of the one-liner: “Pulling cotton wool over one’s eyes.
I actually did not know the precise meaning of it, even though I flipped through several Thesaurus online. Finally, when I bumped into Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday afternoon at the India Habitat Centre, I knew what this phrase was all about.
I have known Suresh the showman since the days he held those (in)famous Permit Meets at the Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, when top-notch track and field stars like Sergei Bubka came and never soared! We also got to see legends like Evelyn Ashford come and never clock the timings in middle distance we had heard of in an era when internet never existed,
And on Thursday, when Suresh Kalmadi waxed eloquently about New Delhi having got the nod to host an Formula One GP in 2009, jaws were gaping. F1 in India, you must be kidding, said most inside the hall. But Kalmadi went on and on, stating that F1 was a certainty.
Hey, was this really some official announcement which Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 circus showman had forgotten to make? Kalmadi spoke of a track coming up on time and a stadium being built for F1, unmindful of the fact that this was not some venue for an athletics event, but the biggest motorsport event on Mother Earth.
There was more to follow as Kalmadi spoke of F1 being an event which would generate revenue for Indians athletes to do well in Olympic sport. You rubbing your eyes in disbelief at what I am writing?
No, this is the cotton wool effect of Kalmadi which people were reeling under on a muggy afternoon. As the mind wandered, images of Michael Schumacher came to my mind. Had Schumi, in his chequered career, ever heard of something as preposterous as this. I know Schumi had parted with mega bucks when his personal guard got killed when the tsunami hit Phuket three years back.
But this was bunkum. F1 and Olympics in a land where the Commonwealth Games are going to be held in three years. Mate, you never know. Perhaps, this is one mix where Kalmadi may have got it all right and Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar will be just a bystander.
Like you and me.
I actually did not know the precise meaning of it, even though I flipped through several Thesaurus online. Finally, when I bumped into Suresh Kalmadi on Thursday afternoon at the India Habitat Centre, I knew what this phrase was all about.
I have known Suresh the showman since the days he held those (in)famous Permit Meets at the Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, when top-notch track and field stars like Sergei Bubka came and never soared! We also got to see legends like Evelyn Ashford come and never clock the timings in middle distance we had heard of in an era when internet never existed,
And on Thursday, when Suresh Kalmadi waxed eloquently about New Delhi having got the nod to host an Formula One GP in 2009, jaws were gaping. F1 in India, you must be kidding, said most inside the hall. But Kalmadi went on and on, stating that F1 was a certainty.
Hey, was this really some official announcement which Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 circus showman had forgotten to make? Kalmadi spoke of a track coming up on time and a stadium being built for F1, unmindful of the fact that this was not some venue for an athletics event, but the biggest motorsport event on Mother Earth.
There was more to follow as Kalmadi spoke of F1 being an event which would generate revenue for Indians athletes to do well in Olympic sport. You rubbing your eyes in disbelief at what I am writing?
No, this is the cotton wool effect of Kalmadi which people were reeling under on a muggy afternoon. As the mind wandered, images of Michael Schumacher came to my mind. Had Schumi, in his chequered career, ever heard of something as preposterous as this. I know Schumi had parted with mega bucks when his personal guard got killed when the tsunami hit Phuket three years back.
But this was bunkum. F1 and Olympics in a land where the Commonwealth Games are going to be held in three years. Mate, you never know. Perhaps, this is one mix where Kalmadi may have got it all right and Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar will be just a bystander.
Like you and me.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Westward ho!
It’s funny this name BCCI. It stands for Board of Control for Cricket in India but if anyone has been following the happenings in the last few days, they have done everything other than keeping things in control.
I go back to the old issue of India coach after Guru Greg went (or was he asked to leave?) after the World Cup fiasco. It seemed, time was too short to find a coach for the Bangladesh tour. And it also seemed, a ‘phoren’ coach would be found before the tours to Ireland and England.
When I first heard the name of Graham Ford, I was a bit taken aback. Hey, was this some custom-built product from the Ford factory which (sorry who) would go on to engineer India’s rise in the world of cricket. Well before Ford could turn on the ignition, there was a problem with what they call the self-starter. Ford himself was not ready to crank, so for Indian cricket to burst to life was just not going to happen!
I think this is the biggest embarrassment India could have faced in any field – sporting or otherwise – where the coach-designate walked away coolly saying he was not interest in the job. Hey, is this what the Indian coach’s job is worth, where a white man walks in, gets the job and flies away. And what does he do, says he can’t take the job because of family compulsions blah blah…
Come on Graham, yes, I am going to take the liberty of addressing you by first name, could you not find a better excuse of shying away from a job which perhaps is as demanding as what our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh does?
People never knew what you were when you were deputy to Bob Woolmer. And I doubt, if, after this, you will ever get a chance to prove yourself as a cricket coach. Being cocooned in a job as comfortable as director in Kent may give you the comfort of megabucks. But will anyone other than the counties ever get to know you? No way.
I guess you chickened out even before you wore India colours. But let me tell you, this is something which will be remembered for a long time of how a “phoren” coach ran away just like a batsman scared of an Allan Donald steaming in to bowl!
Coming back to the BCCI, they must take full flak for the way the whole coach issue has been handled. It was with much fanfare and in full view of the media glare they saw Ford and John Emburey come and present their credentials. Both flew back to England after that, so comfortable to be away from India.
Come the selection meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, the next sacrificial lamb is waiting to be offered. First he was bleeted and then his head put on the chopping block. Ok, if you have still not got a hang of who I am talking about, it’s none other than Virender Sehwag.
I believe Rahul Dravid tried to present his vice captain’s case before the selectors, but it fell on deaf ears. And when Dravid realised he was batting, or taking guard for a lost cause, he decided to keep mum. And with that, a great batsman’s career was shovelled into the grave.
So what in the first place was Sehwag’s fault? Was his triple ton and then a 250-odd against Pakistan forgotten? Was Sehwag the dashing stroke-maker not thought fit to play ODIs or Tests ever again? Or was it that Colonel – Dilip Vengsarkar – yes, the chairman of the selection committee trying to prove his point that he never wanted Sehwag to go to West Indies for the World Cup.
Whichever way you look at it, the ugly head of regionalism in cricket selection has again raised its head. And I guess as long as we have a Maharashtra strongman as the BCCI chief, nobody is going to look north, south or east, it will be just West!
I go back to the old issue of India coach after Guru Greg went (or was he asked to leave?) after the World Cup fiasco. It seemed, time was too short to find a coach for the Bangladesh tour. And it also seemed, a ‘phoren’ coach would be found before the tours to Ireland and England.
When I first heard the name of Graham Ford, I was a bit taken aback. Hey, was this some custom-built product from the Ford factory which (sorry who) would go on to engineer India’s rise in the world of cricket. Well before Ford could turn on the ignition, there was a problem with what they call the self-starter. Ford himself was not ready to crank, so for Indian cricket to burst to life was just not going to happen!
I think this is the biggest embarrassment India could have faced in any field – sporting or otherwise – where the coach-designate walked away coolly saying he was not interest in the job. Hey, is this what the Indian coach’s job is worth, where a white man walks in, gets the job and flies away. And what does he do, says he can’t take the job because of family compulsions blah blah…
Come on Graham, yes, I am going to take the liberty of addressing you by first name, could you not find a better excuse of shying away from a job which perhaps is as demanding as what our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh does?
People never knew what you were when you were deputy to Bob Woolmer. And I doubt, if, after this, you will ever get a chance to prove yourself as a cricket coach. Being cocooned in a job as comfortable as director in Kent may give you the comfort of megabucks. But will anyone other than the counties ever get to know you? No way.
I guess you chickened out even before you wore India colours. But let me tell you, this is something which will be remembered for a long time of how a “phoren” coach ran away just like a batsman scared of an Allan Donald steaming in to bowl!
Coming back to the BCCI, they must take full flak for the way the whole coach issue has been handled. It was with much fanfare and in full view of the media glare they saw Ford and John Emburey come and present their credentials. Both flew back to England after that, so comfortable to be away from India.
Come the selection meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, the next sacrificial lamb is waiting to be offered. First he was bleeted and then his head put on the chopping block. Ok, if you have still not got a hang of who I am talking about, it’s none other than Virender Sehwag.
I believe Rahul Dravid tried to present his vice captain’s case before the selectors, but it fell on deaf ears. And when Dravid realised he was batting, or taking guard for a lost cause, he decided to keep mum. And with that, a great batsman’s career was shovelled into the grave.
So what in the first place was Sehwag’s fault? Was his triple ton and then a 250-odd against Pakistan forgotten? Was Sehwag the dashing stroke-maker not thought fit to play ODIs or Tests ever again? Or was it that Colonel – Dilip Vengsarkar – yes, the chairman of the selection committee trying to prove his point that he never wanted Sehwag to go to West Indies for the World Cup.
Whichever way you look at it, the ugly head of regionalism in cricket selection has again raised its head. And I guess as long as we have a Maharashtra strongman as the BCCI chief, nobody is going to look north, south or east, it will be just West!
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Hesh turns 33
Happy birthday Mahesh. As you blow out the 33 candles on your cake in Paris today, I am sure, like most people, you will reminisce on the year that has rolled by.
But I guess this birthday becomes even more special as it has seen you do well in doubles with Radek Stepanek this fortnight at the French Open. I know the world of tennis does not care too much about doubles, but I guess old timers like me (should I really be calling myself that?) do understand, realise and appreciate what you have achieved as a tennis professional and overall in life.
I have often heard stories from tennis pros (you included) of how tough life is on the Tour, wherein you virtually live your life out of suitcases and travel so much. I guess, unless you enjoy doing that, you would not be in this business at all. I still remember, the first time when people saw you play at home, way back in 1994 for the first time, tongues were wagging that you had no footwork and would never make it big!
I am tempted to mention some of the names of people who said that, but I guess I will stop myself simply for obvious reasons. Actually Mahesh, your birthday has kind of woken me up because I am on a holiday and have not bothered to go anywhere near a computer the last six days. But I promise myself, I will not go back to the PC after this again till my vacation ends.
Coming back to your 33 years gone by, I do not know how you would analyse it. But I guess, you have had great moments on and off the court, and most important, you continue to work as hard as you did when you were a teenager slugging it out with your dad in the desert heat of Oman.
They say, the last phase of a sportsperson’s career can be really tough. I guess, in your case, 2007 was a mixed one, where you chose a new partner in Radek and kept waiting for that “one big break” to borrow your own phrase. It was in 1997, you won your first Grand Slam title with Rika Hiraki. Maybe the time has come for you to again get a big Cup for your showcase.
And even if you don’t, I guess there is nothing to feel bad about. People have said Radek is reeling under the curse of the Black Widow, just because he is dating Martina Hingis. I am sure, you have been lucky for him in a few ways, as his singles results have not been too hot off late.
There is plenty of tennis left in this season and 2008 becomes special as it is the Olympic year. OK, I will stop here, as if I talk more on Beijing, I will be tempted to write about the great ‘Indian Express’ which stopped chugging long back.
Enjoy yourself mate…
But I guess this birthday becomes even more special as it has seen you do well in doubles with Radek Stepanek this fortnight at the French Open. I know the world of tennis does not care too much about doubles, but I guess old timers like me (should I really be calling myself that?) do understand, realise and appreciate what you have achieved as a tennis professional and overall in life.
I have often heard stories from tennis pros (you included) of how tough life is on the Tour, wherein you virtually live your life out of suitcases and travel so much. I guess, unless you enjoy doing that, you would not be in this business at all. I still remember, the first time when people saw you play at home, way back in 1994 for the first time, tongues were wagging that you had no footwork and would never make it big!
I am tempted to mention some of the names of people who said that, but I guess I will stop myself simply for obvious reasons. Actually Mahesh, your birthday has kind of woken me up because I am on a holiday and have not bothered to go anywhere near a computer the last six days. But I promise myself, I will not go back to the PC after this again till my vacation ends.
Coming back to your 33 years gone by, I do not know how you would analyse it. But I guess, you have had great moments on and off the court, and most important, you continue to work as hard as you did when you were a teenager slugging it out with your dad in the desert heat of Oman.
They say, the last phase of a sportsperson’s career can be really tough. I guess, in your case, 2007 was a mixed one, where you chose a new partner in Radek and kept waiting for that “one big break” to borrow your own phrase. It was in 1997, you won your first Grand Slam title with Rika Hiraki. Maybe the time has come for you to again get a big Cup for your showcase.
And even if you don’t, I guess there is nothing to feel bad about. People have said Radek is reeling under the curse of the Black Widow, just because he is dating Martina Hingis. I am sure, you have been lucky for him in a few ways, as his singles results have not been too hot off late.
There is plenty of tennis left in this season and 2008 becomes special as it is the Olympic year. OK, I will stop here, as if I talk more on Beijing, I will be tempted to write about the great ‘Indian Express’ which stopped chugging long back.
Enjoy yourself mate…
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