The Day Prince became the King

This story is about a then promising Prince named Rafael Nadal and a talented King Roger Federer. They never got along together. They met regularly against one another in the game of tennis. Every year they participate in four prestigious tournaments named Grand Slams. The Slams were played twice in Hard Court, once in Clay Court and Grass Court.  In the initial years the King was making full use of his experience and defeated the Prince everywhere they went, except in the Prince’s own backyard (Clay). For three consecutive years the King and the Prince met each other in their respective backyard and for all those years they were undefeated in their own backyard. The time period was from 2005-07. Then came the year 2008; the year of change and turnaround.

For both, the year started silently with none of them was able to win the first Slam. Then the Slam came to the Prince’s vicinity. Prince as usual, still undefeated in his own backyard, crushed the King with 6-1, 6-3 and 6-0 victory. This was one of the worst defeats for the King in years. Following the crushing defeat the King became more focused on regaining his dignity that he had lost to the Prince. The Prince was in a different mood. Instead of relaxing, he had set his eyes on winning the Slam in the King’s backyard (Grass). It was once again expected in the kingdom that the two would again meet in a final of the Slam. The day was approaching near as both the Prince and the King were winning their respective battles as expected and to everyone’s expectations, they were once again in the final of the Slam.

The King was nearly unplayable during the Slam as he hadn’t lost a set prior to the final. On the other hand, the Prince had a little hiccup during his road to final in an otherwise smooth journey.  The day was 6^th of July 2008. King who hadn’t lost a set in the Slam was determined to win his Sixth Consecutive Slam on Grass; whereas Prince was determined to become the first man in 28 years to win both the Slams on Clay and Grass. Stakes were high as were the expectations. The place was All England Club’s Centre Court. The King was on 40 match winning streak on Grass Courts. The Prince was looking to establish himself as a player who could play well on Courts other than Clay. The most anticipated match of Tennis was under its way.

The match started a bit late because of the forecasted rain. When the match was started the Prince wasted no time and showed that he hadn’t came here for another defeat and captured the first set 6-4 in a little over 30 minutes. The King was shocked by his display of game and his shock prevailed in the second set which allowed the Prince to claim the second set with the same score line. Now King was in a desperate situation. He had to win the remaining 3 sets to win the match but most importantly he had to win the 3^rd set to stay alive in the match. Since 1927 no man had achieved the feat of going 2-0 down in a final to ultimately win the game.

King roared back as expected and claimed set in the tie breaker 7-6. Complacency breeds failure. The Prince became complacent which resulted in losing the 4^th set after having a lead of 5-2 and having a championship point at one time. The King claimed the set in another tie-breaker. The match was setting up perfectly for the 5^th set. But after the 4^th set the rain did again played spoil sport and interrupted the game in the 5^th set. With everything at stake for both the men, 5^th set continued after the halt.

The 5^th set was the set that could make or break the career of the Prince. Both men were steady in their approach as no one was able to break each other’s serve. In fact, after the 2^nd set no men had broken others serve (except during tie breaker). The delay caused by rain allowed the darkness to set in, as it was nearly unplayable during the 5^th set. The game went from 2-2 to 7-7. In the near darkness, the Prince broke the serve of the King and had the chance to serve for the Championship. With 7 games to 8 King rallied his way to make an equalizer but during the Championship point he made an error which caused him the match. Everyone was stunned by seeing the efforts of both men. The score read 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 in the favor of Prince. The Prince finally defeated the King in his backyard. Both men received standing ovation for their performance from the jam-packed centre court. 

The Prince celebrated his victory in a grand style as he went up to the player’s box and met his family members and coach. The King on the other hand was broken not only physically (as the match went for a whopping 4 hours and 48 minutes) but mentally as well (he could have won sixth consecutive title and an inch closer to most number of Slams). The Prince almost brought tears in the eyes of the King. Since the last 5 years the Slam was in King’s possession but now it was in the Price’s grasp. Few weeks later, Federer lost his title of King to Nadal. Hence, that was the day when the Prince finally became the King.

 It’s been 5 years since the glorious match has happened and a lot has been changed in the game of tennis. The Prince became the King (Nadal), there were emergence of new Princes (Djokovic and Murray) and the old King is struggling to keep his game up to his potential.

Impact of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar on my life.

Few days ago, I was in my car listening to the radio,my mood was good as I was about to go shopping with my family.Then all of a sudden happiness around was converted into shock waves when the RJ spoke out that SACHIN has decided to retire from test matches.After hearing those words all that came to my mind was the 2003 World Cup event.Why?Because that was the event which made me follow a God named Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. From the very first match to the final,he dazzled us with his stroke play and elegance.After that cricket to me means only two sportsperson Sachin and Sourav. I was a cricket fan before the WC but was not an avid follower.Moreover, I had seen Sachin bat before 2003 but what would you expect a 6 year old nerd to have a know how about the game.SRT was  one who brought in transition in me made me feel that sports too is an important aspect of life.

Sachin was the sole reason that at one point of time I was dreaming of becoming a cricketer,that dream lasted for about 6-7 years.After the dream coming to an end,Sachin's role didn't ended there.He is inspired me through his magical innings.One thing if you all notice, his every innings has a deep meaning inside it.For example,his century in Perth in 1991-92; that century implies that how tough the situation,how badly the conditions is breaking you apart, you must move on and give your best.His innings in Centurion at the 2003 WC against Pakistan implies that how much dangerous your counterpart is, you must always be calm and stable and give your best shot to them.There are many more innings which have deep meaning,an insight to live the life.

But there are two innings that set SRT apart from others and that have a terrific deep meaning as well. First one his innings in Chennai against Pakistan in a Test match.In that innings Sachin had a back pain,he could easily have opted for  retiring hurt himself but he didn't, he carried his innings with back pain and not only made half century but had gone on to make century on the fifth day of turning track against the likes of Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed.The deep meaning-how badly you are hurt just pick yourself up and move on.The Second one is his double century in ODI cricket.This has a straight and simple meaning NOTHING MEANS NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.I'm fortunate that I got to watch the innings in Centurion and in Gwalior live.The other two innings I came to know by reading the match reports of various sites.Those reports almost gave me goosebumps.

After 24 years of glorious career he has decided to hang his boots.I'm hoping that his last two test which probably includes his last four innings be as great as ever.Now I'm wondering that on whose wicket I'm gonna switch off my Television set like had done many a times before.This was the impact that he had on me and this was the teaching he gave me. Had I been born little early I could have watched you more than this.

Thank You Sachin! Will MISS YOU!! You were an habit which will take time to change.Thank You!