Two Sundays ago, Roger Federer's much-awaited win at French Open was a bit of an epiphany in a couple of ways. It served to demonstrate the unifying force that tennis on television has become, in our family; everyone had been glued to the set, eagerly willing on King Roger. I suppose this could be put down to the major events coming along only once in a while, keeping the sport fresh in our collective consciousness, without overkill. And, since it is largely an individual affair, personalities are illuminated all the more in a way they aren't in most team sports.
I was also overpowered by the way Fed had captured everyone's imagination. Has there ever been a more popular champion of our times? When I think of the major sporting heroes over the last decade or so - Michael Jordan, the Williams sisters, Tiger Woods, the Australian cricket team, Michael Schumacher - celebrated they may be, but they've tended to polarise people. The kind of feeling Federer has inspired in us is miles away from the cloying hero-worship one might associate with an Indian cricketer or an actor. Among the onlookers, there were a few who suggested that despite this incredible feat of conquering clay, his bogey surface, the one tag which will always accompany the victory is the absence of his nemesis - Rafael Nadal. But to claim that this triumph is a tainted one is rather unreasonable. Can we really attribute Steffi Graf's domination in the mid-90s to the stabbing of Monica Seles, or indeed the rise of the Williamses to Martina Hingis' injuries and personal problems? Let's just take the best these players have given us, shall we? The history books don't lie.
In a post on my Cricket Blog, I examined the nature of our attitudes toward underdogs and theorised that most of us (Indian fans, anyway) would willingly support an underdog who exudes spirit and gallantry, but not so much one given to stagefright or mental weakness. In tennis terms, I suppose it might explain why a Pat Rafter's Wimbledon near-misses are remembered with much fondness, while a Tim Henman is left to our afterthoughts. But, there is another kind of "underdog" we willingly give our hearts to; the the oldie who is a shadow of his past, yet battles the odds in attempting to do it one last time. Every Indian fan will fondly remember Steve Waugh's final rearguard innings of 80 at the SCG, even though India couldn't force the win. Tennis has thrown up many such examples - Ken Rosewall, trying in vain to win that elusive Wimbledon title as a 42-year old, and the returning Steffi Graf putting Martina Hingis in her place during the French Open final in 1999 for one last title.
Although he is far from finished, I have a suspicion that Federer's Paris sojourn inspired similar emotions. People feared that he might be over the hill, and I personally wondered whether those five setters against Haas and Del Potro might not have drained him both physically and mentally. I vividly recall the case of Pete Sampras in the 1996 French Open, when three five-setters against the likes of Sergei Bruguera, Todd Martin and Jim Courier had taken so much out of him that the eventual winner Kafelnikov swept him aside in the semis. Not so with Fed in 2009, but all along, supporters were just that little bit scared for him. As it turned out, he adapted beautifully, using his serve and often exploiting his opponents' relative weakness at the net to good effect.
Federer's chance to move to fifteen Grand Slam titles adds a compelling edge to this year's Wimbledon (Nadal fans are having it real bad at the moment, aren't they?). It will be particularly interesting to see the challenge posed by Andy Murray - perhaps the Kevin Pietersen of tennis - who is widely tipped to be the main threat to a record-breaker. In the meantime, I'll remember the French 2009 not so much for all the history-making, but for Fed's ability to have enthralled us all collectively. It was no mean feat.
Current Music: Patrick O'Hearn - Homeward Bound
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Keeping it Weird
I suppose I should have written this post a lot earlier, given that I left the city of Austin four months ago. I just didn't want to succumb to the general feeling you get upon leaving a place you've resided in for a long while, and come up with a predictably gushing post straightaway. I wanted to immerse myself in new surroundings, and let time and space provide some perspective. Well, they certainly have; I realise I miss Austin like hell.
I'm glad I spent the last two-and-a-half years studying in Austin, as opposed to a big city like New York or Chicago; I can't imagine a place being more tolerant of a slacker like me (in no way did that tolerance extend to my program of study, though). If anything, it was a bit too much like Bangalore. Being forced to live in a chaotic metropolis might have been better for me in terms of building up survival skills and street-smartness, but I'm not a believer in getting outside your comfort zone if you can help it. If circumstances were to dictate that I remain in the US for a long time - and I hope they don't - I would still rather live in ATX than anywhere else.
In Mohsin Hamid's book The Reluctant Fundamentalist, the Pakistani student protagonist sums up his feelings for New york thus: "I was, in four and a half years, never an American; I was immediately a New Yorker." I suppose I could talk about Austin in similar terms. For example, once when I was in the elevator of the Music Department, humming a classical piece I had just heard, the person just beside me asked me what tune it was and engaged me in a discussion - it was that sort of place.
The Highlights:
A great bunch of 'seniors' who helped us settle in during the first month. Besides going out of their way to help, they made excellent company which was just as well because I somehow never hit it off too well with the people who came in at the same time as me.
The incredibly good public transport system. Being a student I could get anywhere at almost any time of the day for free. It allowed me to get away with being too lazy to acquire a driver's license here.
Zilker Park and Barton Springs, though I didn't go there too often. Particularly memorable were the 4th of July fireworks and the Trail of lights festival.
Being part of the Acoustics Track in my graduate program, which meant belonging to a small but closely-knit community within the Department. Really nice people and some extremely good profs made those Friday Technical Seminars and occasional study sessions good fun. It's a pity I couldn't go on to do a PhD there, but I knew i wasn't cut out for it.
Dr.Wilson's microphone-twirling imitation of Roger Daltrey on the last day of the Transducers class.
Eve and the rest of the crowd at Antone's Record shop, who contributed generously to my cassette collection. Also, getting to watch Eve and the Exiles perform live at the store.
The visits to Half Price Books.
The Monday Jazz nights at Ming's. The food at Ming's deserves a mention too - they do such amazing things with eggplant/brinjal, I think I may have finally overcome my dislike of kathrikai curry and baingan bharta.
The nights spent playing RISK with the Blackstone gang, and later Ticket to Ride and other games with another crowd. My interest in Board Games has been rekindled.
Watching the urban Bat Colony emerge from under the avenue bridge at dusk.
Going to my first football game and cheering the Longhorns in the forty degree heat of September. And otherwise, encountering the legions of football fans decked out in burnt orange, either on their way to the game or setting up barbecues on the University lawns, on any given Saturday.
Hanging out with the Red River gang, jamming way into the night, singing rubbish and even playing the keys after a long time. They even got a strong warning for playing too loud one night!
My stint as the teaching Assistant for the Physics lab. Not only was it a great (and well-paying) job which made me revisit physics in a enjoyable way, it also got me acquainted with many American Undergrads whom I wouldn't have encountered otherwise.
Some of my students dedicating a song to me, to be sung to the tune of Afroman's Because I got high (The chorus went "Because of Suhas, because of Suhas). Too much!
The administrative staff at the Department. who were extremely helpful in dealing with the problems related to academia or paperwork.
My (retired) graduate advisor who was totally flexible with letting me decide what courses to take. I used to see him jogging around campus and was amazed how a person his age could keep himself so fit.
Driving through Barton Hills, with its stunning scenery and the occasional deer crossing our path.
Trivia nights at those Irish Pubs, and the other beer joints we frequented.
Trudy's, particularly for their seemingly bottomless Mexican Martini.
Roaming the crowded 6th on Friday nights, watching scores of undergrads getting drunk and acting silly.
Having Dr.Lo staying with us for two months. Among other things, he showed me how to eat with chopsticks.
The novelty of sitting down to a "no-holds-barred" exam, where we were allowed to bring in anything, even laptops!
The moment last year's election results were announced. I was on campus getting some work done at the time, when a bunch of liberally-inclined (and presumably inebriated) sorority girls nearby broke into a loud song whose chorus went "Obama! Obama!".
Watching all those indie-movies with Bulla and gang at the South by Southwest festival, which even featured live appearances by the cast and director themselves.
And a few regrets:
Not having made more effort to meet up or keep in touch with certain people.
Not taking the opportunity to learn something different, like kayaking or salsa or a new language, given the number of classes available in the Union.
Not making the effort to visit the Austin zoo.
Not visiting a typical Texan barbecue spot, such as Rudy's or the Salt Lick. With most of my friend-circle there being vegetarian, this was never really on the cards.
Not being able to catch Austin City Limits even once.
Intellectual Property closing down.
Not being able to further extend my stay at the University through the recession.
Not being able to land a job in Austin!
Current Music: Shakti - Lady L
I'm glad I spent the last two-and-a-half years studying in Austin, as opposed to a big city like New York or Chicago; I can't imagine a place being more tolerant of a slacker like me (in no way did that tolerance extend to my program of study, though). If anything, it was a bit too much like Bangalore. Being forced to live in a chaotic metropolis might have been better for me in terms of building up survival skills and street-smartness, but I'm not a believer in getting outside your comfort zone if you can help it. If circumstances were to dictate that I remain in the US for a long time - and I hope they don't - I would still rather live in ATX than anywhere else.
In Mohsin Hamid's book The Reluctant Fundamentalist, the Pakistani student protagonist sums up his feelings for New york thus: "I was, in four and a half years, never an American; I was immediately a New Yorker." I suppose I could talk about Austin in similar terms. For example, once when I was in the elevator of the Music Department, humming a classical piece I had just heard, the person just beside me asked me what tune it was and engaged me in a discussion - it was that sort of place.
The Highlights:
A great bunch of 'seniors' who helped us settle in during the first month. Besides going out of their way to help, they made excellent company which was just as well because I somehow never hit it off too well with the people who came in at the same time as me.
The incredibly good public transport system. Being a student I could get anywhere at almost any time of the day for free. It allowed me to get away with being too lazy to acquire a driver's license here.
Zilker Park and Barton Springs, though I didn't go there too often. Particularly memorable were the 4th of July fireworks and the Trail of lights festival.
Being part of the Acoustics Track in my graduate program, which meant belonging to a small but closely-knit community within the Department. Really nice people and some extremely good profs made those Friday Technical Seminars and occasional study sessions good fun. It's a pity I couldn't go on to do a PhD there, but I knew i wasn't cut out for it.
Dr.Wilson's microphone-twirling imitation of Roger Daltrey on the last day of the Transducers class.
Eve and the rest of the crowd at Antone's Record shop, who contributed generously to my cassette collection. Also, getting to watch Eve and the Exiles perform live at the store.
The visits to Half Price Books.
The Monday Jazz nights at Ming's. The food at Ming's deserves a mention too - they do such amazing things with eggplant/brinjal, I think I may have finally overcome my dislike of kathrikai curry and baingan bharta.
The nights spent playing RISK with the Blackstone gang, and later Ticket to Ride and other games with another crowd. My interest in Board Games has been rekindled.
Watching the urban Bat Colony emerge from under the avenue bridge at dusk.
Going to my first football game and cheering the Longhorns in the forty degree heat of September. And otherwise, encountering the legions of football fans decked out in burnt orange, either on their way to the game or setting up barbecues on the University lawns, on any given Saturday.
Hanging out with the Red River gang, jamming way into the night, singing rubbish and even playing the keys after a long time. They even got a strong warning for playing too loud one night!
My stint as the teaching Assistant for the Physics lab. Not only was it a great (and well-paying) job which made me revisit physics in a enjoyable way, it also got me acquainted with many American Undergrads whom I wouldn't have encountered otherwise.
Some of my students dedicating a song to me, to be sung to the tune of Afroman's Because I got high (The chorus went "Because of Suhas, because of Suhas). Too much!
The administrative staff at the Department. who were extremely helpful in dealing with the problems related to academia or paperwork.
My (retired) graduate advisor who was totally flexible with letting me decide what courses to take. I used to see him jogging around campus and was amazed how a person his age could keep himself so fit.
Driving through Barton Hills, with its stunning scenery and the occasional deer crossing our path.
Trivia nights at those Irish Pubs, and the other beer joints we frequented.
Trudy's, particularly for their seemingly bottomless Mexican Martini.
Roaming the crowded 6th on Friday nights, watching scores of undergrads getting drunk and acting silly.
Having Dr.Lo staying with us for two months. Among other things, he showed me how to eat with chopsticks.
The novelty of sitting down to a "no-holds-barred" exam, where we were allowed to bring in anything, even laptops!
The moment last year's election results were announced. I was on campus getting some work done at the time, when a bunch of liberally-inclined (and presumably inebriated) sorority girls nearby broke into a loud song whose chorus went "Obama! Obama!".
Watching all those indie-movies with Bulla and gang at the South by Southwest festival, which even featured live appearances by the cast and director themselves.
And a few regrets:
Not having made more effort to meet up or keep in touch with certain people.
Not taking the opportunity to learn something different, like kayaking or salsa or a new language, given the number of classes available in the Union.
Not making the effort to visit the Austin zoo.
Not visiting a typical Texan barbecue spot, such as Rudy's or the Salt Lick. With most of my friend-circle there being vegetarian, this was never really on the cards.
Not being able to catch Austin City Limits even once.
Intellectual Property closing down.
Not being able to further extend my stay at the University through the recession.
Not being able to land a job in Austin!
Current Music: Shakti - Lady L
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