A new experience can be extremely pleasurable, or extremely irritating, or somewhere in between, and you never know until you try it out. Almost everyone remembers their first kiss, their first salary check, the first time they fell in love and, of course, the first time they had sex. Saturday 18th December was going to be my first time.. and for the sake of posterity and my old age, I’ve decided to archive the experience in cyberspace.
Its Saturday 11-30 AM and I am waiting opposite Fashion Street for Mustafa & Shayamal who are the conduits for my first experience. I’m equal-part nervous and equal-part excited. At the age of 31 years and 4 months, I’m finally going to do it. I’ve done the cyber version before but this was going to the real thing. The butterflies in my stomach flap faster. I feel like I do when I go for a job interview. I hope I would be able to perform. Mustafa arrives and signs me in. We head to the designated venue. I'm wondering if he can make out I'm a novice. He introduces me to Shayamal. I thank him for arranging this. He says no worries and that I’d have to wait for a bit. There’s a foursome going on in front of me that I’m only too delighted to sit back and watch. I ask Mustafa if I can take some pictures and he says it should be ok. In front of me, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna are playing a doubles set; Mahesh with 18 year old Shahbaaz Khan and Rohan with Purav Raja. I’m a few minutes away from doing my first live interview with a tennis player (make that players) - Mahesh and Rohan.
Let’s rewind to 24 hours ago. It’s a regular Friday morning at the bank. I’m multi-tasking; trying to wrap up work and planning the next couple of days. Which movie to watch, when to play tennis, how not to study for my exams in June - in short, my usual weekend. Subhash, the editor of Tennis India, calls and says he needs me to do him a favour. He's learnt that Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna, India’s top doubles players, are training in Mumbai and he would be grateful if I could meet them for a quick interview the next day. I think “Are you kidding me?” I say, “Sure, I’d love to.” In all the years, I’ve been a tennis writer (actually, in the 5 months that I’ve been a tennis writer), I’ve always dreamed of interviewing a tennis player. I recently completed one with a current top 3 player but that was via email. This was going to be the real thing.
The modalities are fixed. I am to meet Mustafa Ghouse (former India Davis Cupper) at 11-30 AM the next morning at Bombay Gymkhana. In between work, I try to figure out how to record an interview. Dictaphones are out of style but thanks to Google, I learn of digital voice recorders. Soon, I also learn that none of the major electronic chains in Mumbai stock them. I finally track one Sony dealer in Fort who has what I need. Unfortunately, he would be shut by the time I reach home tonight and opens shutters only at 11 am the next morning. Too close for my comfort I’m thinking but I’m not sure if I have any alternatives. On my way back home, I discover my phone has a voice recording facility. At dinner with my friend Ami (name changed to protect identity), I record our conversation to test my phone. We do an impromptu version of Koffee with Karan (India’s most famous celeb chat show). I ask her questions in rapid fire succession – “Pooja or Himali” – “Jay or Suvir” – “What would you do if you woke up one morning next to Jay” (the answers to those shall go with me to my grave). In between eating dinner, watching and sleeping through the new Tron movie, sleeping some more and my early morning jog on Saturday; I managed to list down 15 questions for the interview. Subhash sent me some that he had in mind too.
I reach Bombay Gym before the appointed time. I'm equal-part nervous and equal-part excited. Mustafa arrives shortly. I shake his hands (the same hands that played Davis Cup for India). He signs me in and we head to the practice courts. I'm wondering if he can make out that I'm a novice. He introduces me to Shayamal Vallabhjee, a mental coach and fellow writer for Tennis India. I thank him for arranging this. He says no worries and that I’d have to wait for a bit. I take a seat on the side of the baseline. I take my camera out and take some pictures of Rohan, who is receiving serve at the far end. I turn to take some of Mahesh as he tosses the ball to serve. He catches the ball mid-air and stares in my direction. I’m not sure if it was me or something else in the same line of his vision but it’s enough for me to put my camera away.
There’s a practice doubles set going on - competitive and light-hearted at the same time. Rohan looks fitter than when I saw him last year. Mahesh as always looks fit. There’s lots of big serving from the two. Rohan’s serve is fast indeed. There are some spectacular rallies and some breathtaking volleys. During a long exchange, Rohan takes a ball mid-air and swings a forehand drive that finds the back of his partner. Everyone is laughing. Not his partner, Purav. The ball’s left a mark on his back. Some moments later, Mahesh is not too happy with the number of people passing by on the side of the court and shouts, “Is this a garden or a gateway where people just walk in and out whenever they feel like?” A little later, he also indicates to one of the coaches watching them that he is not too happy with his backhand return. During the next change of ends, Rohan asks one of the markers for his bottle of water. The marker picks up the one nearest to him and hands it over to Rohan. Rohan’s not sure if this is his bottle and does not want to risk using someone else’s bottle. He sternly asks the marker if he is sure that this is his bottle. The marker immediately runs and gets him a new one. About 40 minutes later, the set comes to an end. The players take a short break for water. Some kids and their parents have gathered for a fitness camp with Shayamal and the coach Mahesh was talking to. They start with some fitness drills. All four players join the drills too - running on the courts in a particular sequence. I’m guessing that it could be anytime now. Shayamal calls me over and introduces me to Mahesh & Rohan. I shake their hands (the same hands that have played for India in the Davis Cup). I go through my list of questions and my phone’s voice recorder works like a charm. Both players answered all the questions I had without any hang-ups (You’ll have to wait for the January issue of Tennis India for the actual interview) and also agreed to pose for a picture – one of the two of them and one with me. I thanked them for taking the time out. I also went up to Shayamal who was busy with some of the kids on court and thanked him for arranging this. I leave Bombay Gym with a big smile on my face. I call Subhash to share the experience and then like an excited adolescent, text some of my closest friends about my latest conquest. The first time was smooth and painless. I can’t wait for the next. I’m thinking about who I’d like it to be. I’d love to do Sania. I find her intriguing. But the ultimate fantasy remains Steffi. It’s funny.. I recently re-read Andre’s autobiography “Open” and it’s uncanny how the two of us feel exactly the same way about the same person.. “I was thunderstruck, dazzled by her understated grace, her effortless beauty. She looked, somehow, as if she smelled good. Also, as if she was good, fundamentally, essentially, inherently good, brimming with a moral rectitude and a kind of dignity that doesn't exist anymore. I thought I saw, for half a second, a halo above her head.. It feels like I've been chasing her all my life, and now I'm literally chasing her.”
There’s definitely something about experiencing something new for the first time. Saturday 18th December was the first time I did a live interview with a tennis player. At the age of 31 years and 4 months, I’ve finally done it. And I shall never forget it.
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Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Life on the Road - Part II
So by the time we check out of Hotel Pearl, its already 8-40 am. We decide to head straight to Solaris Club and check out our schedules. A few wrong turns notwithstanding, we reach the club by 9-10. Its a pretty nice club with 5 courts and they also have badmintion, squash, TT and swimming facilities. A quick look at the draw and we don't see our names. My heart sinks. Did the guy we send to sign us in to the event on Friday afternoon goof-up??
A talk with the tournament reps allay our fears. Ashutosh Goel is in the draw as Ashutosh Goid and Haresh Ramchandani is in the draw as Harsh Rameshwari. Ashu's match is scheduled for 10-30 am against A. Venkatesh Prasad, who we later found out is a 17 year old from Hyderabad. Mine is scheduled for 12-45 pm at another club - Deccan Gymkhana against Ishan Singh. We have more than an hour for his match so we decide to eat some omelette sandwiches and look at some of the other matches. One of the players particpating is hearing impaired - I wonder whether not being able to hear the sound of the ball is a disadvantage to him. But I guess he must have gotten used to it. His infectious spirit is backed by an efficeint game - good serve, good groundstrokes. Another player who looks almost 40 years old is playing some teenager in a close battle with a lot of close and contentious line calls (at this level, you make your own calls).
Ashu's match is called at 10-40 and as he warms up, Ashu dissects his opponents game - good topspin on his groundstrokes and decent serve. He realises he is in for a tough time. As the match begins, Prasad unleashes a bigger serve than what he showed during the warm up. Ashu himself throws in a few double faults and does not bring his A-game to the court. Credit for that also goes to his opponent who used his serve and forehand to great effect. Prasad wins 7-0.
As we head to Deccan Gymkhana for my match, I ask Ashu if the experience was worth it, and if he would be keen to do this again for the Pune AITA events in December, He replies a resounding yes. There's the spirit he is so well-known for.
We reach Deccan Gymkhana by 12 noon. I need to go to the loo again (my third trip since this morning). At around 12-40 my match is called against Ishan Singh - who looks like another 17 year old. As I warm up with him, I realise he is left-handed and plays with a lot of topspin. I know it will be tough but I always fancy my chances no matter who my opponent is.
I win the toss, elect to serve and quickly throw in three double faults in the first game and lose my serve. Ishan returns the favour and also throws in a couple of double faults as I break him back. I hold my serve for 2-1 and win a couple of rallies when I manage to keep the ball in play and Ishan makes an error. However, the spin on his left handed serve is too muh for me. I am unable to get many of them back and also not able to hold my own serve. Ishan wins the next six games to complete a 7-2 victory.
Time to pack our bags. This trip was not what either Ashu or I expected. Ashu hoped to put a better show than losing 0-7 and I hoped to win atleast one match. But there's not much either of us can do about it now. Shower at the club and a good lunch at Malaka Spice in Koregan Park is just complete and we will hit the road to Bombay in a couple of hours. Our journey as wannabe tennis players will take a break for a while but its back to the courts at MSLTA tomorrow morning.
A talk with the tournament reps allay our fears. Ashutosh Goel is in the draw as Ashutosh Goid and Haresh Ramchandani is in the draw as Harsh Rameshwari. Ashu's match is scheduled for 10-30 am against A. Venkatesh Prasad, who we later found out is a 17 year old from Hyderabad. Mine is scheduled for 12-45 pm at another club - Deccan Gymkhana against Ishan Singh. We have more than an hour for his match so we decide to eat some omelette sandwiches and look at some of the other matches. One of the players particpating is hearing impaired - I wonder whether not being able to hear the sound of the ball is a disadvantage to him. But I guess he must have gotten used to it. His infectious spirit is backed by an efficeint game - good serve, good groundstrokes. Another player who looks almost 40 years old is playing some teenager in a close battle with a lot of close and contentious line calls (at this level, you make your own calls).
Ashu's match is called at 10-40 and as he warms up, Ashu dissects his opponents game - good topspin on his groundstrokes and decent serve. He realises he is in for a tough time. As the match begins, Prasad unleashes a bigger serve than what he showed during the warm up. Ashu himself throws in a few double faults and does not bring his A-game to the court. Credit for that also goes to his opponent who used his serve and forehand to great effect. Prasad wins 7-0.
As we head to Deccan Gymkhana for my match, I ask Ashu if the experience was worth it, and if he would be keen to do this again for the Pune AITA events in December, He replies a resounding yes. There's the spirit he is so well-known for.
We reach Deccan Gymkhana by 12 noon. I need to go to the loo again (my third trip since this morning). At around 12-40 my match is called against Ishan Singh - who looks like another 17 year old. As I warm up with him, I realise he is left-handed and plays with a lot of topspin. I know it will be tough but I always fancy my chances no matter who my opponent is.
I win the toss, elect to serve and quickly throw in three double faults in the first game and lose my serve. Ishan returns the favour and also throws in a couple of double faults as I break him back. I hold my serve for 2-1 and win a couple of rallies when I manage to keep the ball in play and Ishan makes an error. However, the spin on his left handed serve is too muh for me. I am unable to get many of them back and also not able to hold my own serve. Ishan wins the next six games to complete a 7-2 victory.
Time to pack our bags. This trip was not what either Ashu or I expected. Ashu hoped to put a better show than losing 0-7 and I hoped to win atleast one match. But there's not much either of us can do about it now. Shower at the club and a good lunch at Malaka Spice in Koregan Park is just complete and we will hit the road to Bombay in a couple of hours. Our journey as wannabe tennis players will take a break for a while but its back to the courts at MSLTA tomorrow morning.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Life on the Road - Part 1
Friday evening 7 pm and I set off once again; chasing another dream - qualifying for an AITA event. This time I have company - my friend Ashutosh has decided to get a taste of the pro tennis circuit himself. We reach Pune three and a half hours later and are not too pleased when we reach our pit-stop for the night - Hotel Pearl on Junglee Maharaj Road. There don't seem to be many people in the hotel but there are plenty in the adjacent beer bar.
We decide to check out the room - our suite (if you can call it that). The room is decent - the extra single bed in the hall is not. Thankfully, the AC and the TV work fine but Ashu is not too happy about the bathroom.
We decide to go grab a bite somewhere around. Ashu is in the mood for pizza. We see a Pizza Hut but he thinks there may be a Papa John's around. We drive around for a bit. No sign of Papa John so we drive back to Pizza Hut. Unfortunately for Ashu, the shutters are down when we reach.
Driving around again, we spot a Smokin Joe's. Fortunately, the shutters are up. Unfortunately, we are past their last order time. A quick entry to China Gate next door is followed by an even quicker exit (Ashu does not find the menu enticing). Some more driving around and we finally decide to dine at Shiv Sagar. Fortunately for Ashu and me, they are still taking orders. Pav Bhaji and Musambi juice for myself; Paneer Pizza and Fresh Lime for Ashu. The Pav Bhaji is pretty decent. Unfortunately for Ashu, the waiter comes back and says no pizzas available. Unable to take any more, Ashu decides to skip dinner. We head to Naturals for dessert and then back to our room.
The room is pretty chilled now since we left the AC on. Federer is on Ten Sports playing Melzer at the Paris Masters. Ashu decides to watch a bit for inspiration while I head straight to bed.
At 5-30 am my eyes open. I try to go back to sleep but can't. One hour of tossing and turning in bed later, I decide sleeping is a lost cause. I wake up, brush my teeth and check out the scores from the Paris Masters online. Federer won but Murray lost.
We need to be at the Solaris Club at 9 am which is still a few hours away. Gmail, Hotmail, Facebook, and Twitter later, I decide to write this blog. Breakfast at the hotel starts only at 8-30 am which means we will check out of our hotel and grab a bite on our way to the club. Something tells me we might be looking for pizza joints again.
We decide to check out the room - our suite (if you can call it that). The room is decent - the extra single bed in the hall is not. Thankfully, the AC and the TV work fine but Ashu is not too happy about the bathroom.
We decide to go grab a bite somewhere around. Ashu is in the mood for pizza. We see a Pizza Hut but he thinks there may be a Papa John's around. We drive around for a bit. No sign of Papa John so we drive back to Pizza Hut. Unfortunately for Ashu, the shutters are down when we reach.
Driving around again, we spot a Smokin Joe's. Fortunately, the shutters are up. Unfortunately, we are past their last order time. A quick entry to China Gate next door is followed by an even quicker exit (Ashu does not find the menu enticing). Some more driving around and we finally decide to dine at Shiv Sagar. Fortunately for Ashu and me, they are still taking orders. Pav Bhaji and Musambi juice for myself; Paneer Pizza and Fresh Lime for Ashu. The Pav Bhaji is pretty decent. Unfortunately for Ashu, the waiter comes back and says no pizzas available. Unable to take any more, Ashu decides to skip dinner. We head to Naturals for dessert and then back to our room.
The room is pretty chilled now since we left the AC on. Federer is on Ten Sports playing Melzer at the Paris Masters. Ashu decides to watch a bit for inspiration while I head straight to bed.
At 5-30 am my eyes open. I try to go back to sleep but can't. One hour of tossing and turning in bed later, I decide sleeping is a lost cause. I wake up, brush my teeth and check out the scores from the Paris Masters online. Federer won but Murray lost.
We need to be at the Solaris Club at 9 am which is still a few hours away. Gmail, Hotmail, Facebook, and Twitter later, I decide to write this blog. Breakfast at the hotel starts only at 8-30 am which means we will check out of our hotel and grab a bite on our way to the club. Something tells me we might be looking for pizza joints again.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Confessions of a Tennis Junkie - April 2010
As I queue up to sign in for the qualifying draw at Khar Gymkhana, I'm feeling a bit embarrassed. Everyone around me is a teenager or a 20-something old. No one else around me is an out of shape corporate executive or a 30 year old trying to live out his fantasy of being a professional tennis player.
Khar April '10 is my third attempt at playing the qualifying draw of an All India Tennis Association ranking tournament. Some of my friends think I'm crazy for trying. I think I'm crazy for not having tried earlier. Pune Feb '09 was my first attempt'; a short-lived one at that. A first round loss 4-7 to a Sikh player on the clay (felt like sand) courts. For anyone who's not played on clay-sand courts, its like playing on a trampoline - at times, the ball goes dead on bounce; at others, it springs to life and over your head. I can now empathize with the Spanish players who didn't think it was worth traveling to Wimbledon in the days when grass courts were tailored for serve-n-volleyers and weren't the quasi-hard courts they are today.
Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana Feb '10 was my second attempt. This time, I won my first match in qualifying 9-6 against a certain Mr. Jadhav. I was ecstatic. My first win in a national level tournament. The fact that it was in the qualifying draw didn't dampen my pride. The next day, I lost in the second round 3-9 to another Sikh – Deepender Singh Bains, who has a cannonball of a serve and a good forehand to go with it. I took comfort in the fact that he was ranked around 160 in India. I took greater comfort when I learnt that he had won a small (in terms of prize money) AITA tournament the week prior and as a result would move to no. 69 in the AITA rankings.
So back to Khar. My first round on Saturday morning was at the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana (used for extra courts needed to complete the qualifying draw) against a player named Gaikwad. Under 20 and a pretty average game... but a below-average match temperament. In five service games, he served up 12 double faults and I manged to win 8-2. The highlight for me was a screaming forehand winner down the line. My idol Steffi Graf would have been proud. I even heard two people (among the 8 officials and other players hanging around) say “What a Shot!!”
My second round match I learn is 6 hours later against a player named Ganesh Acharye. I come back home, shower, eat, relax and try to look him up on the AITA site. No mention of him... means he's unranked like me. My confidence is bolstered. I get back to Khar in time and watch as two players take to Court 1 to begin their match while I wait for mine (they have 2 courts here and mine is the next scheduled one on the adjacent court). One of the players involved in that match is Awasthi, seeded 15th in the qualifying draw. The match is peppered with amazing rallies, the kinds I've seen on TV at the ATP tournaments. My match is soon called and I look around for my opponent. As we start our warm up with worn out balls, I begin to dissect his game. Good serve if he gets it in. Average groundstrokes. I feel I can win this one too. As our match is about to start, I ask the umpire if we can get new balls to play with. He says sorry you need to play with these. I begin well and soon am leading 2-0. My opponent is having a hard time keeping the ball in play. At 4-0, I notice that Awasthi and opponent get a new can of balls opened for themselves mid-way through their set. I have half a mind to go up to the umpire and complain about the discriminatory treatment. I hold back thinking I'm leading, so why interrupt a winning streak. I'm also thinking thank god I didn't draw Awasthi or his opponent who are still scorching the adjacent court. I would have surely lost. I'm sure they were wondering why they didn't draw me or my opponent. Either of them would have surely beaten either of us. Luck of the draw I guess. I soon win 8-1. Highlights include a serve-n-cheeky-half-volley winner and a two-handed backhand that would have made Mr. Graf proud.
My next match is on Sunday at noon at Khar Gymkhana itself against Prashant Sawant. A quick check online reveals he is a year older to me and currently ranked no. 113 in the AITA rankings. Suddenly I'm not feeling so confident but what the heck. I've won two matches and there's no shame in losing to the 113th best player in India. Basil chicken and rice at Cafe Basilico, a squabble with brother regarding airport duties and a boring movie later, I head to bed with my mind full of possibilities.
I wake up at 9 am, feeling a bit run down.. tired and not in the most confident frame of mind.. I get my dose of the morning papers and IPLgate; and start getting ready to leave home. Winning makes you superstitious I realize... I go for the same clothes, cap, socks and wristbands (all being washed mind you). In the train, I listen to some high-tempo music to pump me up. Madonna screaming in my ears “I'm out of time and all I got is 4 minutes” and Black Eyed Peas telling me “ I gotta feeling.. Tonight's gonna be a good night.”
I reach Khar gym and discover my match would probably start only post 1 pm. Time to lounge around. I pull up a chair, get myself a chicken jungli sandwich, eavesdrop on those around me and watch some of the tennis going on. I overhear someone mention my opponent's name. They refer to him as the big fat guy from Maharashtra. My confidence is bolstered again. If he's as big as they suggest, maybe I can move him around and try to capitalize on his movement. I don't have the prototype body of a tennis player.. Far from it... Diametrically opposite it maybe. But one thing I can do is cover the court pretty well and run around.
I notice a pretty middle-aged woman talking to some of the players and the parents. My imagination goes into overdrive. Perhaps she's a sports reporter from one of the city newspapers looking out for an interesting sports story. She gives me a couple of curious glances. I can imagine a story on myself in one of the papers.. about a 30 year old corporate executive and his passion for tennis. I'm thinking what the headline would be – THE FOURTH IDIOT perhaps. My thoughts are interrupted by a cheer for a winning shot by one of the players. I watch the tennis for a while. I look around again; my eyes searching for the pretty lady. No sign of her. The rest of Mumbai will have to wait to get to know me. Until then, you guys have the privilege courtesy blogosphere.
My match is finally called. I look for my opponent. I see him. If he's the big fat guy from Maharashtra, I know what my nickname in the locker room is going to be; the bigger fatter guy from Maharashtra. We warm up; as usual, I try to size up my opponent's game. Good heavy forehand, hits it deep; Decent serve. One-handed topspin backhand which he tends to spray and shank. The backhand, I decide, will be my target. I win the toss (my third straight toss win) and I elect to serve as usual.
I don't start well. I'm soon down 0-2. I'm unable to keep the ball in play long enough to get to his backhand and Prashant's forehand seems to be working well. The third game is a marathon one. 4 breakpoints for him and 4 game-points for me later, we're still at deuce. The heat is oppressive and I'm sweating profusely. I begin to wonder if I would be able to complete the set. I finally hold serve on my fifth game point to get on the scoreboard. I'm relieved as I sit down on the changeover. I think about the game that just went by. My two drop shot winners; the one forehand down the line winner and the few serves I hit which were from the start of the doubles alley on the ad court wide out to his backhand.. really wide out.. won me at least 4 points in the game.
I start walking to the baseline which is next to the players waiting area to receive serve. I'm hoping the guys there aren't having a good laugh at my expense. The game goes by pretty quickly. Its 3-1 Prashant. I manage to hold serve to love as well ending it with an ace down the line. I'm sure they're not laughing now.
Change of ends; no change in luck. Prashant holds for 4-2 and breaks me again for 5-2. As I wait to receive his next serve, I decide to try something different. Stand a couple of feet inside the baseline on his second serve and chip-n-charge. The first time I try it, he hits his second serve into the net. Feeling the pressure eh, Mr. Sawant? Getting a wee-bit nervous?? The next point, a slice chip from me, a decent forehand from him, and an easy volley from me to end the point. I'm feeling like Edberg. I'm shouting Commmmoonnn like Hewitt. Could this be the winning strategy?? I attack his second serve for the rest of the game and finally break his serve for the first time. Its 3-5; only one break of serve I tell myself. The points are not as long now and I'm feeling better.
I might have been feeling like Edberg but I'm not serving anything like him. A double fault and some unforced errors give Prashant the break back. Change of ends at 6-3 (in qualifying here, its best of 15 games, so you need to reach 8 to win). I notice Awasthi is back on the adjacent court as I'm trying to strategise on the changeover. Keep chipping-n-charging I tell myself. Prashant gets a couple of first serves in this time. I hit one chip into the net and he passes me with a forehand on another. Its 7-3 and I'm one game away from losing. I tell myself to go all out with my serve now since it probably would be my last game. I walk up to the baseline to hit my first serve. And I go all out. ALL OUT indeed. The first serve is long by a good 10 feet. Its quickly triple match point against me. Keep going I tell myself, you never know. Maybe he'll fall over and roll his ankle on the next point. Or maybe he'll hit an exquisite drop shot that I don't even attempt to retrieve. 8-3. Game set match Prashant Sawant.
I walk up to the net for the customary handshake. He smiles at me and says well played. I wonder if he really means it. I wish him all the best for his matches ahead. Handshakes with the umpire over, I start packing away the rackets into my bag. The ball boy tells me well played. I say thanks. I walk out the court and head to the canteen to drink a cold beverage. I hail a cab to take me home (I'm too tired to do the rickshaw-train-cab routine again). I look back on my weekend while I get on to the sea link. I won two matches in the qualifying draw of a national level tournament and lost to the no. 113 player in the country. I'm wondering if I'm a better player than I think or if the competition at this level is not as tough as I thought. I'd like to think its a bit of both. I'm wondering what to do to keep improving my game. Maybe lose some weight. Maybe take some formal coaching. Maybe a bit of both. I'm thinking what the weeks ahead hold for me. Desk job at the bank. Evening tennis with brother and Siddharth. SURELY, lots of both. Back home, well-fed and showered, I sit down to write this blog but not before checking the AITA site for their next event in Mumbai. Nothing on schedule for the rest of 2010 but I'm hoping they have a couple more after the monsoons. My dream of winning four matches to qualify for an AITA event will have to wait. Until then, it's back to life!!
Khar April '10 is my third attempt at playing the qualifying draw of an All India Tennis Association ranking tournament. Some of my friends think I'm crazy for trying. I think I'm crazy for not having tried earlier. Pune Feb '09 was my first attempt'; a short-lived one at that. A first round loss 4-7 to a Sikh player on the clay (felt like sand) courts. For anyone who's not played on clay-sand courts, its like playing on a trampoline - at times, the ball goes dead on bounce; at others, it springs to life and over your head. I can now empathize with the Spanish players who didn't think it was worth traveling to Wimbledon in the days when grass courts were tailored for serve-n-volleyers and weren't the quasi-hard courts they are today.
Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana Feb '10 was my second attempt. This time, I won my first match in qualifying 9-6 against a certain Mr. Jadhav. I was ecstatic. My first win in a national level tournament. The fact that it was in the qualifying draw didn't dampen my pride. The next day, I lost in the second round 3-9 to another Sikh – Deepender Singh Bains, who has a cannonball of a serve and a good forehand to go with it. I took comfort in the fact that he was ranked around 160 in India. I took greater comfort when I learnt that he had won a small (in terms of prize money) AITA tournament the week prior and as a result would move to no. 69 in the AITA rankings.
So back to Khar. My first round on Saturday morning was at the Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana (used for extra courts needed to complete the qualifying draw) against a player named Gaikwad. Under 20 and a pretty average game... but a below-average match temperament. In five service games, he served up 12 double faults and I manged to win 8-2. The highlight for me was a screaming forehand winner down the line. My idol Steffi Graf would have been proud. I even heard two people (among the 8 officials and other players hanging around) say “What a Shot!!”
My second round match I learn is 6 hours later against a player named Ganesh Acharye. I come back home, shower, eat, relax and try to look him up on the AITA site. No mention of him... means he's unranked like me. My confidence is bolstered. I get back to Khar in time and watch as two players take to Court 1 to begin their match while I wait for mine (they have 2 courts here and mine is the next scheduled one on the adjacent court). One of the players involved in that match is Awasthi, seeded 15th in the qualifying draw. The match is peppered with amazing rallies, the kinds I've seen on TV at the ATP tournaments. My match is soon called and I look around for my opponent. As we start our warm up with worn out balls, I begin to dissect his game. Good serve if he gets it in. Average groundstrokes. I feel I can win this one too. As our match is about to start, I ask the umpire if we can get new balls to play with. He says sorry you need to play with these. I begin well and soon am leading 2-0. My opponent is having a hard time keeping the ball in play. At 4-0, I notice that Awasthi and opponent get a new can of balls opened for themselves mid-way through their set. I have half a mind to go up to the umpire and complain about the discriminatory treatment. I hold back thinking I'm leading, so why interrupt a winning streak. I'm also thinking thank god I didn't draw Awasthi or his opponent who are still scorching the adjacent court. I would have surely lost. I'm sure they were wondering why they didn't draw me or my opponent. Either of them would have surely beaten either of us. Luck of the draw I guess. I soon win 8-1. Highlights include a serve-n-cheeky-half-volley winner and a two-handed backhand that would have made Mr. Graf proud.
My next match is on Sunday at noon at Khar Gymkhana itself against Prashant Sawant. A quick check online reveals he is a year older to me and currently ranked no. 113 in the AITA rankings. Suddenly I'm not feeling so confident but what the heck. I've won two matches and there's no shame in losing to the 113th best player in India. Basil chicken and rice at Cafe Basilico, a squabble with brother regarding airport duties and a boring movie later, I head to bed with my mind full of possibilities.
I wake up at 9 am, feeling a bit run down.. tired and not in the most confident frame of mind.. I get my dose of the morning papers and IPLgate; and start getting ready to leave home. Winning makes you superstitious I realize... I go for the same clothes, cap, socks and wristbands (all being washed mind you). In the train, I listen to some high-tempo music to pump me up. Madonna screaming in my ears “I'm out of time and all I got is 4 minutes” and Black Eyed Peas telling me “ I gotta feeling.. Tonight's gonna be a good night.”
I reach Khar gym and discover my match would probably start only post 1 pm. Time to lounge around. I pull up a chair, get myself a chicken jungli sandwich, eavesdrop on those around me and watch some of the tennis going on. I overhear someone mention my opponent's name. They refer to him as the big fat guy from Maharashtra. My confidence is bolstered again. If he's as big as they suggest, maybe I can move him around and try to capitalize on his movement. I don't have the prototype body of a tennis player.. Far from it... Diametrically opposite it maybe. But one thing I can do is cover the court pretty well and run around.
I notice a pretty middle-aged woman talking to some of the players and the parents. My imagination goes into overdrive. Perhaps she's a sports reporter from one of the city newspapers looking out for an interesting sports story. She gives me a couple of curious glances. I can imagine a story on myself in one of the papers.. about a 30 year old corporate executive and his passion for tennis. I'm thinking what the headline would be – THE FOURTH IDIOT perhaps. My thoughts are interrupted by a cheer for a winning shot by one of the players. I watch the tennis for a while. I look around again; my eyes searching for the pretty lady. No sign of her. The rest of Mumbai will have to wait to get to know me. Until then, you guys have the privilege courtesy blogosphere.
My match is finally called. I look for my opponent. I see him. If he's the big fat guy from Maharashtra, I know what my nickname in the locker room is going to be; the bigger fatter guy from Maharashtra. We warm up; as usual, I try to size up my opponent's game. Good heavy forehand, hits it deep; Decent serve. One-handed topspin backhand which he tends to spray and shank. The backhand, I decide, will be my target. I win the toss (my third straight toss win) and I elect to serve as usual.
I don't start well. I'm soon down 0-2. I'm unable to keep the ball in play long enough to get to his backhand and Prashant's forehand seems to be working well. The third game is a marathon one. 4 breakpoints for him and 4 game-points for me later, we're still at deuce. The heat is oppressive and I'm sweating profusely. I begin to wonder if I would be able to complete the set. I finally hold serve on my fifth game point to get on the scoreboard. I'm relieved as I sit down on the changeover. I think about the game that just went by. My two drop shot winners; the one forehand down the line winner and the few serves I hit which were from the start of the doubles alley on the ad court wide out to his backhand.. really wide out.. won me at least 4 points in the game.
I start walking to the baseline which is next to the players waiting area to receive serve. I'm hoping the guys there aren't having a good laugh at my expense. The game goes by pretty quickly. Its 3-1 Prashant. I manage to hold serve to love as well ending it with an ace down the line. I'm sure they're not laughing now.
Change of ends; no change in luck. Prashant holds for 4-2 and breaks me again for 5-2. As I wait to receive his next serve, I decide to try something different. Stand a couple of feet inside the baseline on his second serve and chip-n-charge. The first time I try it, he hits his second serve into the net. Feeling the pressure eh, Mr. Sawant? Getting a wee-bit nervous?? The next point, a slice chip from me, a decent forehand from him, and an easy volley from me to end the point. I'm feeling like Edberg. I'm shouting Commmmoonnn like Hewitt. Could this be the winning strategy?? I attack his second serve for the rest of the game and finally break his serve for the first time. Its 3-5; only one break of serve I tell myself. The points are not as long now and I'm feeling better.
I might have been feeling like Edberg but I'm not serving anything like him. A double fault and some unforced errors give Prashant the break back. Change of ends at 6-3 (in qualifying here, its best of 15 games, so you need to reach 8 to win). I notice Awasthi is back on the adjacent court as I'm trying to strategise on the changeover. Keep chipping-n-charging I tell myself. Prashant gets a couple of first serves in this time. I hit one chip into the net and he passes me with a forehand on another. Its 7-3 and I'm one game away from losing. I tell myself to go all out with my serve now since it probably would be my last game. I walk up to the baseline to hit my first serve. And I go all out. ALL OUT indeed. The first serve is long by a good 10 feet. Its quickly triple match point against me. Keep going I tell myself, you never know. Maybe he'll fall over and roll his ankle on the next point. Or maybe he'll hit an exquisite drop shot that I don't even attempt to retrieve. 8-3. Game set match Prashant Sawant.
I walk up to the net for the customary handshake. He smiles at me and says well played. I wonder if he really means it. I wish him all the best for his matches ahead. Handshakes with the umpire over, I start packing away the rackets into my bag. The ball boy tells me well played. I say thanks. I walk out the court and head to the canteen to drink a cold beverage. I hail a cab to take me home (I'm too tired to do the rickshaw-train-cab routine again). I look back on my weekend while I get on to the sea link. I won two matches in the qualifying draw of a national level tournament and lost to the no. 113 player in the country. I'm wondering if I'm a better player than I think or if the competition at this level is not as tough as I thought. I'd like to think its a bit of both. I'm wondering what to do to keep improving my game. Maybe lose some weight. Maybe take some formal coaching. Maybe a bit of both. I'm thinking what the weeks ahead hold for me. Desk job at the bank. Evening tennis with brother and Siddharth. SURELY, lots of both. Back home, well-fed and showered, I sit down to write this blog but not before checking the AITA site for their next event in Mumbai. Nothing on schedule for the rest of 2010 but I'm hoping they have a couple more after the monsoons. My dream of winning four matches to qualify for an AITA event will have to wait. Until then, it's back to life!!
Parting Shots - Inaugural AATP Championships - October 20th 2008
The Dream: Playing the night session at Flushing Meadows against Agassi (the man I’ve looked up to all my tennis life) in front of a packed crowd on Arthur Ashe stadium where Steffi is Mrs. Haresh and not Mrs. Andre
Reality: Playing in the sultry afternoon at MSLTA in front of 8 spectators against the man I’ve HAD to look up to all my life (at 6 feet, he is nearly 2 inches taller to me, you see).
50 years from now when I still hope to be playing like our very own Mr. Shakti Parmar (old man, pony tail, court no. 5), I’m sure to look back on the weekend that just went by for more reasons than one. In Jon Wertheim tradition, here are my parting shots on the inaugural AATP Championship –
•If ever proof was needed that finding something you’re passionate about makes life more meaningful, this was it. The drive and energy of organizing our own tournament, the joy of participating and the camaraderie and bonding amongst all of us beats a desk-job at a bank hands down any day
•Any fears that the result of the all-sibling final would be orchestrated by Father Ramchandani were laid to rest as both brothers battled hard for a win. Family sources say that Father was rooting for his first-born to win
•The shot of the tournament was Bharat’s awesome backhand passing shot against Ayaz (which his opponent described as the best passing shot he’s ever seen from across the net); never mind that I didn’t see it but let’s put it down for the record books anyway
•Siddharth Singh Rathore’s controversial decision to forfeit his last round-robin match had everyone up in arms. Word has it that after closed-door cyber conversations with the organizers, he will be back for the next tournament after all
•The round robin encounter between Bharat and Jonty was probably the most intriguing early round match-up; not in the least for the much publicized bathroom break
•Ayaz’s fantastic comeback from 0-5 down to beat Jonty 7-5 clinched him a semi-final spot. Let’s keep the insinuations about ANKLEGATE aside for now, and appreciate the effort
•Props to Haresh for a commendable effort using a makeshift racket in his come back against Rizwan from 1-5 down to win 7-5; And no, we wont be taking a stand on the chick tennis vs. chick attitude sidestory either
•In a bizzare twist, Siddharth Sharma turned up on all 3 days of the tournament and warmed up Haresh for his semi and final but made no official comment as to why he did not participate. Agents Moulder and Scully have been drafted in to solve this X-File
•Jonty Kandpal’s gutsy play and terrific attitude. Nothing more to add but do read this link
•Very few people at this level would re-schedule their international travel, re-join work one day late; and also give up smoking in order to build stamina for this tournament. Rizwan Sumar will sorely be missed at the second edition.
•Even fewer people would give up a spot on Nach Baliye. Anil Goel deserves a special mention
•Word is spreading about the AATP pretty quick. Interested participants for the next edition include a famous South Mumbai fertility specialist and not-so-famous physical trainer of a very famous South Mumbai industrialist. Don’t be surprised if you read about the AATP in the Sunday Times in the coming weeks
•Our respectable Mr. Bhatt could do with more than a few tips from the pro-ams. When word got around that they were in the cafeteria till 11 pm on opening night, Bhatt sounded out Ashutosh for a personal chat in the bathroom. We’re not sure of what transpired inside but I think we might hear more about this in the future
•We’ve all seen how competition at its highest level can come between even the best of friends. Relieved to see all friendships survive the test this weekend, even though I had my doubts several times
•Tennis-crazy Mrs. Nalini Goel made it for the evening sessions but chose to stay away for the battle of her sons on Saturday morning. For the record Ashutosh beat Anil 6-1 and kept the flag of older brothers flying high for a while
•Word on the street is that a certain Ms. Bijal, often seen in the stands this weekend, is finally managing to push Ashutosh into the holy bond of matrimony. February is when I’ve been told will be the wedding. Ladbrokes is currently giving odds on where the honeymoon will be. MSLTA is the odds-on favorite
•Watch out for 9 month old Rohan Kandpal. Talent scouts are reportedly queuing up outside the Kandpal residence to sign him up. However, I have been informed that all his endorsements and media activities will be handled by the AATP itself
•The identity of the mysterious philanthropist who donated the cool bags for the two finalists has been revealed. His name is Mr. Jay Sharma (no relation to Siddharth), works for Pantaloon Retail and is a close friend of Haresh
•Special note of thanks to Ashutosh for spearheading this initiative. The event wouldn’t be complete without the trophies, certificates, the FREE Baskin Robbins vouchers and, of course, his fantastic sense of humor and spirit
•Missed in all the acknowledgements was some well-deserved appreciation for Mangesh & gang for all the paid Gatorade, Water and Sandwiches
•And on a final note, let’s thank those Brits for introducing this wonderful sport to the world. God Bless the Queen and all of us!! See u guys next time around!!
Reality: Playing in the sultry afternoon at MSLTA in front of 8 spectators against the man I’ve HAD to look up to all my life (at 6 feet, he is nearly 2 inches taller to me, you see).
50 years from now when I still hope to be playing like our very own Mr. Shakti Parmar (old man, pony tail, court no. 5), I’m sure to look back on the weekend that just went by for more reasons than one. In Jon Wertheim tradition, here are my parting shots on the inaugural AATP Championship –
•If ever proof was needed that finding something you’re passionate about makes life more meaningful, this was it. The drive and energy of organizing our own tournament, the joy of participating and the camaraderie and bonding amongst all of us beats a desk-job at a bank hands down any day
•Any fears that the result of the all-sibling final would be orchestrated by Father Ramchandani were laid to rest as both brothers battled hard for a win. Family sources say that Father was rooting for his first-born to win
•The shot of the tournament was Bharat’s awesome backhand passing shot against Ayaz (which his opponent described as the best passing shot he’s ever seen from across the net); never mind that I didn’t see it but let’s put it down for the record books anyway
•Siddharth Singh Rathore’s controversial decision to forfeit his last round-robin match had everyone up in arms. Word has it that after closed-door cyber conversations with the organizers, he will be back for the next tournament after all
•The round robin encounter between Bharat and Jonty was probably the most intriguing early round match-up; not in the least for the much publicized bathroom break
•Ayaz’s fantastic comeback from 0-5 down to beat Jonty 7-5 clinched him a semi-final spot. Let’s keep the insinuations about ANKLEGATE aside for now, and appreciate the effort
•Props to Haresh for a commendable effort using a makeshift racket in his come back against Rizwan from 1-5 down to win 7-5; And no, we wont be taking a stand on the chick tennis vs. chick attitude sidestory either
•In a bizzare twist, Siddharth Sharma turned up on all 3 days of the tournament and warmed up Haresh for his semi and final but made no official comment as to why he did not participate. Agents Moulder and Scully have been drafted in to solve this X-File
•Jonty Kandpal’s gutsy play and terrific attitude. Nothing more to add but do read this link
•Very few people at this level would re-schedule their international travel, re-join work one day late; and also give up smoking in order to build stamina for this tournament. Rizwan Sumar will sorely be missed at the second edition.
•Even fewer people would give up a spot on Nach Baliye. Anil Goel deserves a special mention
•Word is spreading about the AATP pretty quick. Interested participants for the next edition include a famous South Mumbai fertility specialist and not-so-famous physical trainer of a very famous South Mumbai industrialist. Don’t be surprised if you read about the AATP in the Sunday Times in the coming weeks
•Our respectable Mr. Bhatt could do with more than a few tips from the pro-ams. When word got around that they were in the cafeteria till 11 pm on opening night, Bhatt sounded out Ashutosh for a personal chat in the bathroom. We’re not sure of what transpired inside but I think we might hear more about this in the future
•We’ve all seen how competition at its highest level can come between even the best of friends. Relieved to see all friendships survive the test this weekend, even though I had my doubts several times
•Tennis-crazy Mrs. Nalini Goel made it for the evening sessions but chose to stay away for the battle of her sons on Saturday morning. For the record Ashutosh beat Anil 6-1 and kept the flag of older brothers flying high for a while
•Word on the street is that a certain Ms. Bijal, often seen in the stands this weekend, is finally managing to push Ashutosh into the holy bond of matrimony. February is when I’ve been told will be the wedding. Ladbrokes is currently giving odds on where the honeymoon will be. MSLTA is the odds-on favorite
•Watch out for 9 month old Rohan Kandpal. Talent scouts are reportedly queuing up outside the Kandpal residence to sign him up. However, I have been informed that all his endorsements and media activities will be handled by the AATP itself
•The identity of the mysterious philanthropist who donated the cool bags for the two finalists has been revealed. His name is Mr. Jay Sharma (no relation to Siddharth), works for Pantaloon Retail and is a close friend of Haresh
•Special note of thanks to Ashutosh for spearheading this initiative. The event wouldn’t be complete without the trophies, certificates, the FREE Baskin Robbins vouchers and, of course, his fantastic sense of humor and spirit
•Missed in all the acknowledgements was some well-deserved appreciation for Mangesh & gang for all the paid Gatorade, Water and Sandwiches
•And on a final note, let’s thank those Brits for introducing this wonderful sport to the world. God Bless the Queen and all of us!! See u guys next time around!!
No monty.. only Jonty!! - 18th October 2008
And then there were two!! Full-time brothers and part-time players Bharat and Haresh kept their unbeaten record intact defeating Rizwan and Ayaz respectively to advance to the finals of the inaugral AATP Championship at MSLTA, Mumbai. However, it was 33 year old Kailash Kandpal (a.k.a. Jonty) who turned out to be the true revelation of the opening rounds.
Kandpal, who recently graduated from the Table Tennis arena to the tennis lawn courts, came within one point of reaching the semi-finals earlier this afternoon with a display of gutsy tennis and proof that size DOES NOT matter - not on the tennis court atleast. After a convincing 6-2 win over Ashutosh in the opeing round of Group Agassi, Jonty faced-off against Bharat in a David vs Goliath battle. And he nearly pulled off what would have been a stunning upset, only losing 5-7 in a tight exciting contest that even piqued the interest of the players playing on the adjacent court.
Playing Ayaz with a semi-final berth on the line, Jonty raced to a 5-0 lead; only to see Ayaz come back and win 7 games on the trot, saving a match point en route and crashing Jonty's semi final dreams by the end of it.
When he's not rocking Dalal Street with his equity tips or playing Daddy cool with his 9 month old son Rohan, Jonty goes about beating his opponents with a game thats a throwback to an earlier time in tennis. Nimble-footed and big-hearted, Jonty's game is based on a simple plan - get EVERYTHING back. And get back everything he does!! Just ask Bharat!! Jonty's Dementieva-like serve, energizer bunny-like speed and Chang-like ability to retrieve had Bharat scrambling all around the court and STRAIGHT to the bathroom at one stage.
Built on a small-frame that helps him glide around the court like a butterfly, Jonty's game and attitude won him several fans this week, this writer included. Rest assued, come next tournament, he'll have one more person rooting for him from the stands. UNLESS he happens to be playing someone that goes by the name of Ramchandani :)
Kandpal, who recently graduated from the Table Tennis arena to the tennis lawn courts, came within one point of reaching the semi-finals earlier this afternoon with a display of gutsy tennis and proof that size DOES NOT matter - not on the tennis court atleast. After a convincing 6-2 win over Ashutosh in the opeing round of Group Agassi, Jonty faced-off against Bharat in a David vs Goliath battle. And he nearly pulled off what would have been a stunning upset, only losing 5-7 in a tight exciting contest that even piqued the interest of the players playing on the adjacent court.
Playing Ayaz with a semi-final berth on the line, Jonty raced to a 5-0 lead; only to see Ayaz come back and win 7 games on the trot, saving a match point en route and crashing Jonty's semi final dreams by the end of it.
When he's not rocking Dalal Street with his equity tips or playing Daddy cool with his 9 month old son Rohan, Jonty goes about beating his opponents with a game thats a throwback to an earlier time in tennis. Nimble-footed and big-hearted, Jonty's game is based on a simple plan - get EVERYTHING back. And get back everything he does!! Just ask Bharat!! Jonty's Dementieva-like serve, energizer bunny-like speed and Chang-like ability to retrieve had Bharat scrambling all around the court and STRAIGHT to the bathroom at one stage.
Built on a small-frame that helps him glide around the court like a butterfly, Jonty's game and attitude won him several fans this week, this writer included. Rest assued, come next tournament, he'll have one more person rooting for him from the stands. UNLESS he happens to be playing someone that goes by the name of Ramchandani :)
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