Today's tennis
Modern tennis has become a test of endurance, utmost fitness, mental discipline, body strength and whatnot. Due to hectic schedules and more physical play, many professional players often suffer from injuries from time to time. They also have to play on different surfaces and weather conditions. In Grand Slam events, the players fight like gladiators in matches lasting up to 4 or 5 hours in blistering weather conditions. Sometimes, 40 to 50 rallies last for a single point which even tires out the spectators sitting on the gallery or those watching it from their comfort zones on TV. In the early fifties to late eighties, the game was mainly dominated by Australian and American players. Gone are the days of serve and volley. Greats of the game like Rod Laver, John Newcomb, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Jimmy Connor and others mesmerised the spectators with the artistry touch, unlike today's long rallies. In the 1990s, players like Pete Sampras, Patrick Rafter, Tim Henman to modern-day greats like Roger Federer displayed masterclass artistry with their racquets.
Cricket, football, the game of tennis etc., have changed in regards to technique and style of play along with the massive hike in prize money and glamour. The only eyesore in tennis nowadays seems to be Novak Djokovic. The number one player's unsporting behaviour during the last Tokyo Olympics and his arrogancy in not disclosing his vaccination status before the recently concluded Australian Open made him a villain. Djokovic must remember that the game of tennis will go on without him. Meanwhile, Rafale Nadal, the Spanish matador, showed that he came from a different planet in Melbourne when he outsmarted his ten-year younger opponent in the final to clinch the record-breaking 21st major singles title. At the same breathe, tennis in India is in a coma as India is not able to produce any player, leaving aside the world stage but even at the Asian level.
Dr Ashim Chowdhury,
Guwahati.
Bravo!
The 73rd Republic Day shall remain a memorable day in the context of Jammu & Kashmir. On 26th January, some locals of Kashmir hoisted the Indian Tricolour on the historic Lal Chowk tower in Srinagar. The elected politicians of Kashmir valley-based political parties and Nehru-Gandhi Congress that ruled the state alternately for almost seven decades since India's independence, year after year, hoisted a Kashmir state flag instead of the National Tricolour on the Republic Day. Though these parties enjoyed sovereign power by swearing our secular Constitution, they had no qualms of deliberately dishonouring the Tricolour for decades. Some Kashmiris who have been nourishing nationalistic and patriotic zeal have done this sacred duty of hoisting the Tricolour on the Lal Chowk tower this time. In an interview with a national TV channel after the flag-hoisting, two youths — Sahil Bhatt and Sajjid Younus — termed these politicians diplomats. They said that these politicians ruled the state for personal power and wealth and befooled the gullible Kashmiris all these years at the cost of the state's welfare. By the Republic Day flag hoisting for the first time on 26th January, the dream of 'Ek Nishan (one flag), Ek Vidhan (one Constitution) and Ek Pradhan (one prime minister)' of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherji has been finally realized. India will remember this day.
After the revocation of special status granted under Article 370 on 5th August 2019, all provisions of the Constitution were made applicable in the J&K Union Territory. Since then, Kashmir is making rapid economic progress and the nationalistic voice coming over the fissiparous forces. Sahil's and Sajjids represent nationalistic forces in the new Kashmir. A positive sign is that the space is gradually shrinking for the local political outfits manipulated by enticing anti-India elements for long to enjoy political power in the state. Lopsided politics put Kashmir's safety and integrity at stake.
Pannalal Dey,
Guwahati.