Coimbatore memories

Growing up in Coimbatore and pursuing a one-of-a-kind dream was a journey like no other, whether it was umpiring a tennis match as an 8 year old or competing in tournaments against Boys at 10 years or winning a National Women’s title at 14. Oprah Winfrey was quoted saying “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance - and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” I don’t think there are more apt words to describe my life.

Coimbatore has produced many National level tennis players. Amazingly, the level of tennis in most clubs is quite high. Within a 2 mile radius of my home, I could practice tennis in 3 different places, go for step running at the Nehru stadium and train for a long distance run at Race Course. For those who haven’t been to Coimbatore, Race Course is the 2.2 km pride of Coimbatore where green trees line the entire pathway around the circle. The Coimbatore Cosmopolitan Club is an institution in the city. My father became a member there in the 1970‘s and so my brother Ganesh and I were able to avail those wonderful facilities which included three immaculately maintained red clay courts.

My father, a former Ranjit Trophy cricket player, was a bit disillusioned with the politics that cricket involved and took a huge dive into tennis. When this man takes up something, there is nothing else that mattered more to him than learning the sport and mastering it. He even emulated the Krishnans by maintaining a tennis court of one of his friends solely for us to practice. On Sunday afternoons, Deepavali, Pongal and other holidays when the club was closed, we would spend long hours “drilling” forehands and backhands.

I had the luxury of being surrounded by top players in India. From my cousins to my brother to the many wonderful members of Cosmopolitan Club, I had myriad practice partners to choose from. Playing against adults made me think like an adult on the tennis court. Of course, being a total tennis junkie, helped too. I was the only girl and the youngest in that group, so denying me those five minutes of a “hit” was almost impossible.
In my teen years, I had the opportunity to attend the PERKS school. The correspondent, the late Mr.Ramaranganathan was a visionary and I was fortunate to be able to train at the Perks Health center and the tennis courts at my own school. Now that I have a tennis academy here in California, I try my best to recreate some of that atmosphere to my students.

To say that there were no challenges would be misleading. I was training to play international pro tennis, a path which no other female player from India had ventured into. Coimbatore, in fact, even India, was not ready for me that time. So I had to swim against the cultural and social currents on an everyday basis.

Coimbatore didn’t have that many attractions for kids growing up. Cinema for us was quite rare, but when we went, it was mainly to the Central theatre which used to play all the James Bond movies. My brother and I were quite awed by Clint Eastwood too who could shoot at the speed of lightening!! Becoming a Rajni fan, came only later!!
There are 3 main places which were my favorite haunts growing up. Pazhamudir Nilayam, which is the fruit and juice stall, was our regular stop after a long day of tennis or after a strenous run at the stadium. The JM and Sons Bakers whipped out delectable cakes, puddings and desserts and their Japanese cake was to die for. And last, but certainly, not the least was Annapoorna. After all the travelling in and outside India, I am yet to taste a sambar like theirs.
As you all see, nostalgia takes over when I recall my memories of my younger years in Coimbatore. I am sure you would all agree the wonderful weather and the tasteful Siruvani water are especially unique to the city as is the city itself.