Feb 2, 2009

Thats the way it is



I cried this weekend…

Watching the
Australian Open 2009 Men’s Final was a treat for every tennis lover, more so if you are a fan of Roger and Rafa. Not only was the five setter one of the best played in recent times by both of them, it also exhibited the reason the two of them are so truly loved the world over! The post match ceremony would be remembered for years – the day when Roger cried, when you got to see what true “competition” means, when Rod Laver, one of the all time greats gave away the trophy to NOT his favorite, but someone who could be added to the list some day, the day when a new order was taking over the world of Tennis!

The AMAZING crowd that Australian Open is known for and its support to Federer was best summed up by the Master of the Ceremony: “If Australia were to adopt an International Sports Star, it would be him!” What followed was a 15 minute standing ovation!

I can wax eloquent over the match and the post match ceremony, but simply put, if there is ONE thing which stuck me, about the two men, and which is exactly what separates them from the rest, is their approach to the game! Usually, in a sport, more than any other profession, competitors tend to take things personally. A loss is taken as a personal assault, notwithstanding the fact that the other person might have been better in the game! However, when you see the attitude of Roger and Rafa (Which I think he has happily picked from Roger himself) you realize how much they love the game! A good move of the opponent, a neat trick and each other’s success in advancing the game is always appreciated! Here, the personal victory doesn’t matter as much as improvement of the game does. At the end of the day, the aim is to give your best to the game that has given you everything else!

This is what I think is “Attitude” and what makes Roger one of the best, and Nadal the erstwhile successor! If only more people had this attitude, competition would be so much more FUN!

Till the next big slam!!

Ciao ;)

18 comments:

Jayded said...

Hmmm...
I dint see the match yesterday.. But personally, I dont think either of them are as saintly as you proclaim. (this with regard to your comment - "A good move of the opponent, a neat trick and each other’s success in advancing the game is always appreciated! Here, the personal victory doesn’t matter as much as improvement of the game does. At the end of the day, the aim is to give your best to the game that has given you everything else!")

On this point, I think Djokovic is the best around. He goes to another level and applauds his opponent even when he loses the point. He actually "walks" if an ace is called wide and he thinks its in...And hey.. he's DAMN good

Jayded said...

Hmmm...
I dint see the match yesterday.. But personally, I dont think either of them are as saintly as you proclaim. (this with regard to your comment - "A good move of the opponent, a neat trick and each other’s success in advancing the game is always appreciated! Here, the personal victory doesn’t matter as much as improvement of the game does. At the end of the day, the aim is to give your best to the game that has given you everything else!")

On this point, I think Djokovic is the best around. He goes to another level and applauds his opponent even when he loses the point. He actually "walks" if an ace is called wide and he thinks its in...And hey.. he's DAMN good

Jayded said...

Hmmm...
I dint see the match yesterday.. But personally, I dont think either of them are as saintly as you proclaim. (this with regard to your comment - "A good move of the opponent, a neat trick and each other’s success in advancing the game is always appreciated! Here, the personal victory doesn’t matter as much as improvement of the game does. At the end of the day, the aim is to give your best to the game that has given you everything else!")

On this point, I think Djokovic is the best around. He goes to another level and applauds his opponent even when he loses the point. He actually "walks" if an ace is called wide and he thinks its in...And hey.. he's DAMN good

vishwesh said...

hi,

i think the rafa-roger combats duels r pretty good, it takes tennis to a whole new level. But as far as sportsmanship is concerned, i agree wit hthe gentleman who posted the comment b4 me, Djoker is the best..he is seriosuly!

vishwesh said...

hi,

i think the rafa-roger combats duels r pretty good, it takes tennis to a whole new level. But as far as sportsmanship is concerned, i agree wit hthe gentleman who posted the comment b4 me, Djoker is the best..he is seriosuly!

vishwesh said...

hi,

i think the rafa-roger combats duels r pretty good, it takes tennis to a whole new level. But as far as sportsmanship is concerned, i agree wit hthe gentleman who posted the comment b4 me, Djoker is the best..he is seriosuly!

the_ego_has_landed said...

I was at a jazz concert, so I missed it. I started supporting Nadal after I had seen him cry in a match 1.5 yrs back...

and when Nadal was walking with the little girl escort, he held her hand... And I was so awed.. while federer had walked apart from the kid.

But with matches, I too realised, they are thoroughly entertaining, purely due to their dedication and love for tennis.

and your right, thats what we need :)

the_ego_has_landed said...

I was at a jazz concert, so I missed it. I started supporting Nadal after I had seen him cry in a match 1.5 yrs back...

and when Nadal was walking with the little girl escort, he held her hand... And I was so awed.. while federer had walked apart from the kid.

But with matches, I too realised, they are thoroughly entertaining, purely due to their dedication and love for tennis.

and your right, thats what we need :)

the_ego_has_landed said...

I was at a jazz concert, so I missed it. I started supporting Nadal after I had seen him cry in a match 1.5 yrs back...

and when Nadal was walking with the little girl escort, he held her hand... And I was so awed.. while federer had walked apart from the kid.

But with matches, I too realised, they are thoroughly entertaining, purely due to their dedication and love for tennis.

and your right, thats what we need :)

gkam said...

i missed this historic match!!! :(
hopefully next time!!

gkam said...

i missed this historic match!!! :(
hopefully next time!!

gkam said...

i missed this historic match!!! :(
hopefully next time!!

abstractpsyche said...

u kno evrytime i open ur blog i kepe tellin myself to keep a pair of shades next time ;)

hehehe! Me too missed the match.. bad boy cried it seems??

abstractpsyche said...

u kno evrytime i open ur blog i kepe tellin myself to keep a pair of shades next time ;)

hehehe! Me too missed the match.. bad boy cried it seems??

abstractpsyche said...

u kno evrytime i open ur blog i kepe tellin myself to keep a pair of shades next time ;)

hehehe! Me too missed the match.. bad boy cried it seems??

Tejaswini Shenoy said...

Sorry no comments here... absolutely not a tennis fan... rather have never watched it... I did, however, want to say that you have been tagged...

Tejaswini Shenoy said...

Sorry no comments here... absolutely not a tennis fan... rather have never watched it... I did, however, want to say that you have been tagged...

Tejaswini Shenoy said...

Sorry no comments here... absolutely not a tennis fan... rather have never watched it... I did, however, want to say that you have been tagged...