Aussie Kim!

When Kim Clijsters announced her retirement in 2007, I was one of her many fans who was shocked and saddened. Clijsters was always an excellent role-model for girls who played tennis. She was elegant yet powerful, stylish yet strong, well-mannered and not prone to temper tantrums, and most importantly, played her best tennis against an impeccable opponent that lead to a famed Belgian rivalry.

Cheering for Kim while lauding Henin's wonderful serves and volleys was a favourite pastime. Her retirement, therefore, left a huge void in women's tennis. In 2008, Clijsters gave birth to a daughter Jada Ellie. And in 2009, she was back playing the game she loved, a game that missed her presence. Players on a comeback often tend to take some time to get rid of the rustiness in their game. But not Kim Clijsters, who won the US Open title in only her third tournament back, becoming the first mother since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980 to win a major. 

And since that win, there has been no looking back for the 27-year-old. Pictures of Kim holding the U.S Open trophy while hugging daughter Jada tell the tale of a remarkable fairytale comeback. Kim Clijsters, it seems clear, is now the poster girl for the working mother. 

While her arch-rival Justine Henin made a comeback in 2010, it was clearly Kim who was still on top of her game. She successfully defended her U.S Open title, to make it her second Grand Slam victory after her comeback and ended 2010 with a ranking of World Number 3. This new year has gotten off to a great start for the Belgian.

When I wrote my preview post to the Australian Open two weeks back, I was hesitant about picking the favourites for the year's first slam. But of Clijsters, I was sure. It wasn't about the fan in me who wanted Clijsters to win, but going just by form and performance, Kim Clijsters was the sure favourite. And she proved all those predictions right by winning the Australian Open, coming back from a set down against Li Na  3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

When Clijsters was engaged to Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt in 2003, she was affectionately nicknamed 'Aussie Kim' by her many Australian fans. After winning the Australian Open title now, an emotional Clijsters thanked her fans amidst tears saying "I finally feel like you guys can call me 'Aussie Kim' because I won the title."

Call her Aussie Kim or Belgian Kim or Mother Kim, tennis fans around the world are delighted to see Clijsters back, with the same legendary grace and power. And possibly as more of an inspiration for mothers around the world. Welcome back, Kim. Tennis is a better place with your comeback.

Related Links:

'Aussie Kim' claims her crown

Never-say-die Clijsters wins Aussie Open

Dial C for Cricket Commentary

Cricket is a funny old game. And that is a clichéd line that almost every cricket commentator has used. When it's a test match we're watching, punctuated with long periods of snail-paced action, it's the commentary that can hold our interest. Witty, incisive commentary, the likes of Ian Chappel, Richie Benaud, Harsha Bhogle and Barry Richards can hold the viewer's interest and even, provide an enjoyable experience. The likes of Ravi Shastri, Laxman Shivaramakrishnan however, tend to be unintentionally hilarious. 

Richie Benaud is considered to be one of the best cricket commentators

Cricket commentators tend to be of two types : the first type is of sports analysts and writers like Harsha Bhogle, Charu Sharma, the tribe that is fast becoming extinct. The second type is the more dominant one - cricket commentators who can be summed up in two words: Retired Cricketers. The problem with cricketers sharing their thoughts about the game, ball-by-ball, is that while they may have played the game well, not many can talk about it well. 

There was a time when people 'watched' cricket matches by listening to legendary cricket commentators on the radio. Now is the time when most people prefer to watch the match on TV with the volume on mute. The predictable phrases and idioms of our commentators and sometimes their bias, irks many a viewer. It would be wrong to trivialise the importance of good commentary and it is also important to acknowledge that excellent commentary on cricket is not as easy a task as it may seem. Dean Jones created a major controversy when he was heard on air calling bearded South African player Hashim Amla a 'terrorist'. As Harsha Bhogle points out:

"You have to assume that the microphone is always on. There will be some network somewhere who will be on live even when there is a break. We have directorial microphones too, so we have to be very careful. Sometimes producers do tell us that it is leaking, be careful. I have made up my mind not to swear even when not on air."

While not controversial, many commentators are a source of parody for their predictable one-liners. The twitter handle Shastribot whose bio reads 'I'm a cool customer and just what the doctor ordered. Twitter, are you ready?' is an amazing, brutally honest parody commentator who replies to any situation, any question with the same, inimitable Shastri dialogues. If overusing a phrase is sufficient to ban it, all tracer bullet references would have been long banned. 

It is very tough to be an excellent cricket commentator just as it is supremely easy to be a bad one. Commentators have that rare opportunity of lending their voice to a historic moment, or echoing the sentiments of a million cricket fans. It's a job that is more than the sum of its clichés.

Recommended Reading:

Aussie cricket commentators have been a breath of fresh air on air 

About Those Cricket Commentators

Australia Calling

The Australian Open is the first big challenge of a new year for any tennis player. Not only is engrossing, it also tends to set the tone for the year. Or not. Roger Federer tamed Andy Murray to be crowned Champion of the first Grand Slam of 2010. Incidentally, that was the only slam he won in 2010 which has come to be known in many tennis circles as the 'Year of  Nadal'

Nadal will be hoping to make the Australian Open his own

World Number 1 Rafael Nadal had an amazing 2010, winning the Wimbledon, French Open and U.S Open titles. The pressure is definitely on the Spaniard to prove his dominance and to capture the title that eluded him last year. Federer and his fans, on the other hand, will be hoping that he will manage to defend his title, and if possible, win it convincingly. Regardless of how it plays out, the Australian Open promises to be an exciting clash of the titans.

The usual suspects such as Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are also expected to rise to the occasion and provide some close matches. Australian fans will be cheering for homeboy Lleyton Hewitt, but the feisty tennis star hasn't been on top of his game. Hewitt's chances of winning the title aren't high, but here's hoping that he will play to his true potential.

As far as the women's draw is concerned, Belgian Kim Clijsters is seen as a clear favourite. Serena Williams, the defending champion who won the last two Australian Open crowns, is missing out due to foot surgery. Her absence takes out the sting in the competition, but this might be her sister Venus Williams' big chance to add the Australian Open trophy to her kitty.

Indian fans will be hoping that the 'Indian Express' can recreate its magic..

For Indian fans, the great news is that the legendary duo of  Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, fresh from winning the Chennai Open, are at Melbourne to play for glory. Somdev Dev Varman received a wildcard for the Australian Open and will hope to do much better than his disappointing performance in the recently-concluded Chennai Open. But it won't be an easy task as he faces former World No 5 Tommy Robredo.

If Somdev's was a tough draw, Sania Mirza's was even tougher. The only woman representing India in the Australian Open is pitted against former World No 1 Justine Henin. As I write, Sania has fought hard to win the first set against Henin 7 - 5 and seeks to keep up the momentum.

Predictions, analysis and expectations aside, what makes tennis special is the surprises it offers. To a country ravaged by recent floods, one hopes that the Australian Open will bring a lot of joy.

Recommended Reading:
Australian Open: The Burning Questions
Cljsters taking it one match at a time

To The Chennai Open, With Love

For most players and fans, the yearly tennis calender usually begins with the Australian Open, the first grand slam. But if you ask some of us, tennis rings in the new year with the Chennai Open.

There is no legendary strawberries and whipped cream snack here. There is no fiery red clay court waiting for the players. The Chennai Open is where the world's best tennis players are made to use cricket bats to hit tennis balls to the cheering crowd. The Chennai Open is where mothers bring their eager kids and remind them to watch the match carefully and carry home tips for that elusive drop shot. The Chennai Open is where senior citizens earnestly debate Federer vs Nadal with College students. The Chennai Open is where you hear gems like 'What a straight drive!'

This is a tournament like no other. As a fan who has watched five editions of this ATP Tournament, The Chennai Open has become a personal experience, something close to my heart. Tennis fans have had the fortune to watch the likes of Rafael Nadal, Carlos Moya, Tomas Berdych, Ivan Ljubicic, Marin Cilic, Stanislas Wawrinka, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi here. And the players have been treated to an electrifying atmosphere and a crowd that will appreciate good tennis no matter who plays it.

2011 Aircel Chennai Open Champion, crowd favourite Stanislas Wawrinka

Feeble Mexican waves can be spotted amidst the mind-blowing cheer of 'India! India!' when 'Lee and Hesh' are playing. This is the crowd that takes upon itself to 'cheer up' and encourage a player who's just double faulted in a crucial point. Umpires might not love the din and explosion of sounds that come with the Chennai Open, but the players almost always seem to. Janko Tipsarevic remarked that the crowd made him feel like he was playing the Davis Cup in a home stadium. Compliments don't get any better than that!

Sport is not just about those who play it. Sport is also about the fan who won't move her fingers from her cheek or lean forward, fearing it might jinx the match. Sport is also about the young boy who does his homework between points, while cheering madly for his favourite player to win. Sport is also about the thousands of people who give a standing ovation to both the winner and the runner-up. The Chennai Open exemplifies this spirit of sport and the sport lover.

The tournament will stay in Chennai for the next two years and one only hopes that this can become a permanent fixture in the tennis calender. To all the players, the organisers and the audience who made this year's tournament as unforgettable as ever, a heartfelt thank you. To Xavier Malisse, this year's runner-up and 2007's champion, best wishes for a great year in tennis. To Stanislas Wawrinka, 2011's Chennai Open Champion, may this tennis year be as wonderful as your one-handed backhand. And come back to defend your title in this magnificent city!

Related Links:
Wawrinka clinches Chennai title
Stanislas Wawrinka crowned Champion

A Storm in Twitter

Twitter is many things: an amazing tool to share ideas, opinions, have wonderful conversations with various people from around the world. More importantly, it is also the playground of criticism, where everyone is a critic. If there is anything that Indians are supremely sensitive about, it is cricket. So when former England fast bowler Darren Gough, in a spirit of triumphalism after his team's recent demolition of Australia, said that England can beat the Indian cricket team "every day of the week", not many Indian fans were amused.

Darren Gough found himself facing angry Indian cricket fans on Twitter

Darren Gough, whose Twitter handle is @DGoughie, received a barrage of angry questions from Indian fans who seemed to consider it a matter of national pride to back their cricket team. Indeed so angry or caught up with arguing the strength of the Indian team over the England team were the fans, that Darren Gough soon became a 'trending topic' on twitter.

Gough took the time to explain his opinion to Indian fans: 'In England I'd back this team to beat anybody' he tweeted in reply to a fan. He also clarified the reasoning behind his statement: 'For all you Indian friends ,India are a fantastic team especially on the batting dept. My opinion is in English conditions England will win sorry.'

As is usual with conversations on twitter, especially emotional conversations, arguments often turn abusive and personal. To his credit, Gough responded to many an abusive comment sent his way by just chiding over-emotional fans. He tweeted 'Indian fans nothing wrong with been passionate but don't get personal let's wait and see till next year Happy new year lol'

And there indeed lies the crux of the problem with arguing on Twitter. Voices of sanity tend to drown in the chaos of abuse. Many cricketers, both retired and current, are on twitter. This  makes it an unbelievable opportunity for the cricket fan to interact with his/her idol. Such an opportunity could not have even been dreamt of earlier! Twitter has made the world even smaller and sending a message to one's favourite player, is just 140 characters away. Spoiling such an opportunity by abusing or sending hurtful personal comments to someone with a differing opinion, is in nobody's interest. 

As for Gough, his sense of humour is very much intact: 'Even after all the stick from India, celebrating new year with 25 people at mine with an Indian delivery from my local restaurant. Awesome.'


Recommended reading:
England can beat India 'every day of the week': Gough
Harbhajan blasts Darren Gough