The Dawn

This is my first attempt at writing simply (I mean apart from in exams) and especially blogging.. So please bear with me, if it's tasteless and please do provide some suggestions as I intend to cultivate this habit somehow..

The date was 06 - 07 - 08. Three consecutive numbers.. Does that mean anything?? perhaps, or perhaps not.. There would have been a million things happening around the world. Elections, strikes, festivals etc etc.. But the entire sporting fraternity would have been glued onto their television sets, or the fortunate ones, directly to see things live in action. For there was not just one sporting event, but three things (which I followed, inspite of being sick at home) happening. The finals of the Asia Cup in cricket, The British Grand Prix and The Wimbledon Finals.

All the three happens once in a year (I am unsure of the Asia cup here) and have a great fan following all over the world. But I am sure the Wimbledon would be more remembered than the others for a very long time.

The setting was ideal. The World No.1 and No.2 battling it out. The Incumbent vs the Insurgent.. The Elegant Master vs The Aggressive Speedster. The man named Roger Federer who has been ruling World Tennis in general and Wimbledon in particular for the past 6 - 7 years. Against the man who is hailed to be the next ruler, Rafal Nadal..

Both have records to chase, points to prove and scores to settle.. Federer aiming for his sixth straight wimbledon victory to put him in the league of great men, and some points to prove for the rather dismal season so far (zero victories of three grandslams - now when was the last time that happened?? ) And of course, the much - written personal rivalry against Nadal, who treated him like a puppet in his arena - clay - in the French Open.

Nadal - The king of clay - had to mainly break that image and prove that he is a man of substance and can win everywhere. What better way than to try and beat the Lion in its own Den.. And for records as well, chasing an elite group of legends who had won the French Open and Wimbledon back - to - back and mainly for the Wimbledon crown which is perhaps the ultimate glory for the tennis players..

So with everything to play for, the match began. Nadal straight on to assume the lead and break Federer and forge ahead to a lead of 2 sets to zero. Perhaps the champion took some time to recover his mettle as he's put in these situations very rarely. But come back he did, and like a real champion. From what seemed like a clean sweep for Nadal at 6-4, 6-4 to breaking him in the third set, getting it to the tie-breaker and winning two sets with glorious shots that would have shown people why he is the King of Grass.. One can always argue that rain helped him regroup, but then it takes sheer greatness and genuis to claw back from such a drastic situation. I guess Nadal himself would not have wanted to defeat Federer in straight sets as it would have been a tame end to the great setting.

Final set - scores level at 7-7.. Anybody's game!! All the points scored till now, all the sweat till now do not matter at all, as the next few games would decide the winner.. And ultimately, after defending a few break points, Rafal Nadal, came through to conquer glory and the most cherished title. The joy in his face was boundless going straight to his parents in the stands and celebrating with tears of joy.. And perhaps, the sorrow on Federer was also boundless, which unfortunately, he had to bear alone.. He lost, but with admiration, character and like a hero..

The epic five-setter played by the best men in business today (or perhaps of all-time), would be held in the league of great games like the Bjorg-Mcnroe, Becker-Edberg, Ivanesivic-Hennman, etc for sure.. So then, is this the dawn of the new era - The Era of Nadal, is this the End of Federer, or is it just another game?? Or is this the truimph of Tennis itself to see another wonderful rivalry, perhaps after Sampras-Agassi?? Only time would say. But for the people who were fortunate enough to watch it, it would definitely be etched in their memory for a long time.

And of course, all eyes on the US Open now.. Hope it's another extravaganza.. :)