Watching the Australian Open, i saw Paes and Dlouhy, make it to the quarters. Bhupathi/Knowles had of course made it in earlier, and with no clue of how the draws are placed, wondered if a semi-final or even optimistically a title clash, would be possible. And, what a sense of vindictiveness it would provide for any Indian Tennis fan/enthusiast.
In my generation, they represented the only chance for India to make amends for its lack of quality tennis players and more so grand Slam winners or potentials for that matter. But as it turned out, it(their partnership) went on an ego battle spree that became war over the years. If only they could have managed without a battle for supremacy, We would have many more Slam titles to their names.
Their records speak for themselves, out of the 29 ATP titles Paes has won, 23 are partnering Mahesh, and 3 Slams (2 French and 1 Wimbeldon). This is mostly in a period between '97-98 to 2001 when they won the French open but crashed out of the other 3. In the almost 8 years in between they have played together with some success (mostly Davis Cup matches). Ironically, it is the Davis Cup matches where they have been in the worst of relationships.
Paes, the poster boy of Indian Tennis, with more clout on the federation than even Sachin ever had over BCCI (Controversial ?) could have exercised it with ease at some point and that was never good news for indian tennis. It finally came to a showdown, as well chronicled at Craig Hickman's blog and turned out to be an ugly affair. A junior wimbeldon champ, Paes has always been a tremendous doubles player even in the mixed category, and Hesh, well is no less celebrated a doubles player.
As i rest my case today, i wish for a title clash in the near future, if not this time. And would want to see how the events would unfold. Undoubtedly they have played against each other earlier , and with undoubted rivalry and professionalism. But now with age no longer on their side.,will one such Slam final, as the title is won and the players converge at the nets, their eyes meet and look away, knowing what they have lost.
In my generation, they represented the only chance for India to make amends for its lack of quality tennis players and more so grand Slam winners or potentials for that matter. But as it turned out, it(their partnership) went on an ego battle spree that became war over the years. If only they could have managed without a battle for supremacy, We would have many more Slam titles to their names.
Their records speak for themselves, out of the 29 ATP titles Paes has won, 23 are partnering Mahesh, and 3 Slams (2 French and 1 Wimbeldon). This is mostly in a period between '97-98 to 2001 when they won the French open but crashed out of the other 3. In the almost 8 years in between they have played together with some success (mostly Davis Cup matches). Ironically, it is the Davis Cup matches where they have been in the worst of relationships.
Paes, the poster boy of Indian Tennis, with more clout on the federation than even Sachin ever had over BCCI (Controversial ?) could have exercised it with ease at some point and that was never good news for indian tennis. It finally came to a showdown, as well chronicled at Craig Hickman's blog and turned out to be an ugly affair. A junior wimbeldon champ, Paes has always been a tremendous doubles player even in the mixed category, and Hesh, well is no less celebrated a doubles player.
As i rest my case today, i wish for a title clash in the near future, if not this time. And would want to see how the events would unfold. Undoubtedly they have played against each other earlier , and with undoubted rivalry and professionalism. But now with age no longer on their side.,will one such Slam final, as the title is won and the players converge at the nets, their eyes meet and look away, knowing what they have lost.
3 comments:
well, Paes has so much influence because he has been one of the longest servants of the Indian game.....time after time after time he has stepped up for Indian Tennis......which Bhupathy or for that matter anyone else has not done.....i also want to see a Paes v Bhupathy Grand Slam Final...however, i won't be able to remain a neutral...will support Peas..
true he's the longest serving player and has done miracles donning the tricolour(Davis Cup, Asian Games, Olympics)
But i'm talking abt SLAM titles and theres no doubt that they could have fared better together.
All i wanted to say !
And sadly, I have nothing to say in this matter...::sulks alone in a corner::
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