Volume 2 | Issue 5 | September-October 2012 ` 100/- THE OLYMPICS ISSUE

INDIA MAGAZINE

Vishnu Vardhan's First Olympic Experience

Interview with and

Sheetal Iyer's Game Changing Story

Creating the Ideal Doubles Team

Top 10 Endurance Training Mistakes

www.tennisindiamagazine.com he night before, I could Similar sights, like those on TV pride because a British player Joy of not sleep well. I was out and things I had read, were in had reached the final of the w i t h m y f r i e n d s , front of me now. Centre Court, prestigious tournament after exploringT on our first schedule board, mini Wimby 74 years! (The last Brit who A 19 year-old weekend in the city. I had shops and people everywhere! had reached the final was reached my hostel at 4 AM and Bunny Austin and the last Brit I could not wipe off the huge slept for just two hours. 6 A.M., w h o h a d w o n t h e Fan smile on my face. I was up and got ready! It took Championships was Fred ABHIJEET DANGAT me almost an hour to get from Six months ago, when I had Perry.) They all were also

th Russell Square to Southfields,. applied to acquire tickets seeing something like this for My experience on Sunday, 8 July 2012 through Public Ballot, I was the first time ever in their lives! The Queue was such a fine unsuccessful. However, today It was a predominantly British experience! I was actually at the All t was a historic day in the tennis atmosphere! People were It was the final day of The England Lawn Tennis and world as a Brit, , sporting blue, white and red Championships, so I was not Croquet Club! reached the Wimbledon final after 74 colors with their face painting, sure if I could get a pass even yearsI and the Swiss Maestro Roger I followed the direction boards banners, and flags. Actually, after getting into the Queue Federer was playing to put himself in the and went to Aorangi Terrace. people in love hours before the sales for record books, yet again. Yes! The famous Henman Hill / Federer but on that day, they Ground Passes start. Finally, Murray Mound. Thousands of were all there to support their It was around 7:30 am when I reached after waiting for three and half people were there on the field, local boy! Southfields, the nearest tube station for hours, I was able to get a The final of the Gentlemen's AELTC, where the annual Wimbledon Ground Pass in my hand. I was facing the giant screen located Singles was supposed to take Tennis Championships take place. I so happy! on one side of No.1 Court. The was so excited! I was wearing a t-shirt, sight was unbelievable! People place at two that afternoon. I was in. which said, 'I Love Federer' with a RF were wild with excitement and There was still a lot of time left, logo cap on my head. I was obviously a so I decided to roam around. Roger Federer fan. I love him. I adore him. I worship him. I came out of the station and the two local station guards standing there looked at me and loudly Outside the Centre Court said, “It's going to be Murray, my friend. Go Andy!” I looked at them and just With Original Trophies smiled.

The Queue pictures

started walking towards the club in the slight rain fall. Tiny and big houses asI well as rich green fields surrounded the whole area. After walking down a few steps, I saw the AELTC gate and ‘The Queue'. As I gathered into the queue, an honorary steward came and handed me the Queue Card. Finally, I was at Wimbledon. I could not believe. In the beginning of third set, Nadal and Federer's Gold both the players kept their first medals from the 2008 Beijing service, but the play was Olympic Games. To see John immediately suspended due to McEnroe's ghost through a darkness and rain. projection of him was fun! In the end of the museum tour, I All of a sudden, people on the saw both Gentlemen's and mound started moving off the Ladies' Champion trophies. Hill! Meanwhile, I went to the Wimbledon Museum. I loved The men's trophy bears the the tour! I was looking at inscription: ‘All England Lawn everything in there in awe, like Tennis Club Single Handed a 10-year-old geeky kid visiting Championship of the World.' It a science museum for the first was so great to see Roger's time in his life. The museum name on it, from 2003-2007 At Henman Hill consisted of a range of cups, and 2009. At that moment, I plates, medals, players' was not sure if I was going to costumes, kits, jewelry, see the Old King lifting that w e n t t o t h e m a i n Federer's serve in the first memorabilia, paintings and so trophy again in a few hours. Wimbledon Shop. As I game. I was not worried the list continues. It also had The Ladies' round trophy is entered the shop, I realized though. Murray took the first medals, programs, clothing called as the Venus Rosewater thatI it was a bit too crowded! set (6-4) in style and all Scots and archived materials D i s h . S e r e n a W i l l i a m s They were selling souvenirs and Brits on the Hill cheered associated with the history of honorably held the trophy in a n d g i f t a r t i c l e s . T h e aloud! Now, I was concerned. tennis within the Olympic her hands the day before the Championship towel, the Federer fans were there too; movement. Being a tennis fan, men's singles final. Championship t-shirt, the many of those were sporting a sports enthusiast in general, Championship key-chains, the red Swiss flag on their tees and with the tennis of London Later, I came back on the Hill. wristbands, a mug, and a simply kept quiet. 2012 Olympic Games taking I met two of my friends from the lanyard; I started picking up I was very restless till the last place at Wimbledon within the summer school there. They stuff and I did not stop for a point of second set, which next three weeks, I was very were both Federer fans too. while. I realized how much I Roger took with a drop shot, fascinated for the current and Between Murray fans, Federer spent once I reached the billing winning 7-5. upcoming sports events. I saw fans, and the tennis fans in counter! general, nobody knew what - Still the last Brit I went to one of the restaurants was going to happen when the to win the Championship Roger's and Rafa's Gold Medals at the Museum under Court No. 1 and picked g a m e r e s u m e s . T h e up a bowl of fresh strawberries atmosphere on the Hill and the In the fourth set, Federer was score went to Federer still and cream. Eating strawberry Centre Court was all stormy! playing his natural game, leading 5-4. Now, Federer was and cream is a part of round five o' clock, the moving all over the court, serving for the match! I don't Wimbledon tradition. I had match resumed on hitting forehand, backhand, know what happened in the decided to do everything you Centre Court. In about volley and keeping service. It next minute. The scoreboard are supposed to do when you half an hour, Federer served to seemed like everything was told me that Federer now has are at Wimbledon. I was doing A take the third set, 6-3. Federer going well for Federer. Andy two match points! Federer nets just that! was unbelievable in that set! was not playing bad tennis, but the ball and Murray saves one After a while, I came back on After the rain interruption, he was unable to do what he match point. I took my camera the Hill and picked a spot to sit Murray had been a little out of did in the first set. It was 6 pm out of my pockets and got for the match. his game. On the other hand, with Roger now leading 5-3. ready to capture a historic Federer returned determined picture through my own lens. The match started on time. One more game to win and to win and reduced the number The next moment, Federer change the history books Federer won the toss and of unforced errors. Federer served and Murray's return forever. Murray was serving to decided to serve first. And was looking better than landed wide! That's all. Game! stay in the match. He held his guess what?! Murray broke Murray, both mentally and Set! Match! Click! serve successfully and the physically.

10 TENNIS INDIA SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2012 11 The return of the King! and Members' Enclosure is. A came Paul Annacone and Roger Federer is the greatest small bridge there connects to Severin Luthi- Roger's camp! player of All-Time. Wimbledon Roger Federer, now 30 years the area from Centre Court They were obviously the is the greatest tournament in old, won his 7th Wimbledon directly. Many people gathered happiest among everyone. the World. So being at title, 17th overall there but I did not know why. Wimbledon to see Roger, and and is back to being World No. And then, He came! Someone told me that Federer capturing this moment with him 1 once again. I, 19, stand on was coming there to greet all Federer, with a big smile on his through my camera lens, was Aorangi Terrace of Wimbledon his fans after he was done with face, came on the bridge, surely the greatest moment of and cheer aloud, screaming the press. All I was thinking waved his hands, blew some my life! towards the sky, celebrating was, “Are you serious?!” We flying kisses towards the the victory of the person I love, waited there for a while. crowd, and said, “Thank you adore and worship! all!” The victory ceremony was very Centre Court Entrance emotional, for both Murray and Federer. Murray broke down in front of the local crowd. I Federer consoled Murray as Once the ceremony was over, looked around me. Every Federer knew exactly what people started moving. I was person I looked at tears in his Murray was going through in h a p p y a n d c a l m , b u t or her eyes. Andy Murray had that moment. overwhelmed! Suddenly I felt now become a national hero, like jumping and I jumped not just to people in Scotland Then the moment came! The twice-thrice on the spot! My but everyone in United moment we all had been friends and I started walking Kingdom was proud of him. waiting for. Roger Federer through St. Mary's Walk I felt bad for Murray too. He received the trophy from Duke passing Centre Court. We played great throughout the of Kent. He kissed the trophy reached the area where Press tournament and lived up to the and lifted it up! The crowd Centre, Competitors' Complex expectations of people. cheered in joy! I was so happy! So delighted!

Roger Federer on the screen at Wimbledon, celebrating his win

Roger Federer through my camera lens, greeting fans

After a few minutes, I saw I could not believe what was I do not have the words to Murray's legendary coach, happening! Federer, the Roger describe those feelings! , come out. Federer, was in front of me, He was only there for a minute Everyone welcomed him with a looking at me. or two, but that was enough for good cheer. It was an honor to I screamed with joy and took me. see him. Then, Lindsay two pictures of him with my Davenport and Before leaving the site, I told camera. crossed the bridge! They were myself, “Abhijeet, you can die both teary eyed; I figured that I had never been this happy in peacefully now!” :-) must be because of Murray's my life. speech. Age 31 and Martina Hingis still looked great! Then

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