Change in doubles teams

The doubles pairings were changed last evening after practice.While I was supposed to partner Sania and Poojashree and Ruishmi would be together, there was another issue with that since I dont have a good ranking in doubles. If Sania were to partner me, we would not get seeded and could draw a tough team in the 1st round itself. So Rico decided that Rushmi and Sania will pair up and Poojashree and I will be the other team.It is a fair decision and keeping the country's medal chances in mind should be the only goal for anyone in the team.
Apart from that,I have to say something regarding the facilities,the stadium looks fabulous.We practiced under lights yesterday.The atmosphere looked electric, but for the bugs that were flying around. The lights attracted so many bugs, that it looked like a snowfall of bugs!!!
The other show courts are equally well done and the locker rooms and physio facilties are top notch. The doctor and physios are such a cool bunch and are so helpful,its actually amazing.I will be checking into the village today.
The draw will also be made today at 11 am.After that, we will know a lot more about schedules and such.
Sanjeev and Sahana are trying to keep busy by going to a park nearby that has some deer,peacocks and bunnies. They might go to Appu Ghar(amusement park) today. Sanjeev will get more help in 2 days when his parents arrive.....

Its a new day!!!

I am in Delhi right now waiting for my accreditation to arrive,so I can be allowed to enter the stadium.And practice...
Day before,I received he good news that I would be playing the Women's doubles as well apart form the mixed event.It was Sania's decision if she wanted to play 3 events because she hadnt 100% recovered from her wrist injury. I am, of course, thoroughly excited to play 2 events.
I am currently staying in a hotel close to courts as Sahana and Sanjeev are here and I am just getting set up here.I might move into the village in the next day or 2.I will post some pictures too soon.Do post your comments here instead of facebook....

Coimbatore exists in a time warp

Now I understand why I even left this place. Coimbatore is in a time warp and is as if it was 20 years ago. The thinking, the mentality, the chauvinism, nothing changes here. Its as if clock froze twenty years ago!!!
The good part though is the tennis culture here.The clubs here are full of tennis enthusiasts who genuinely want kids to play tennis and will do their might to make that happen. There have been many times when members of Cosmopolitan Club would sacrifice their tennis,so I could prepare for a tournament.

But part of the reason why I even left this town was being taken for granted.Believe me,it is'nt fun trying to prove yourself on a day to day basis. And many times, it could also be the familiarity,that made people take you for granted. Just because I was their next door neighbor who won National titles didnt mean that standard of tennis was poor. Of course, everyone isnt like that.There are exceptions....

Countdown begins

I am now in India and getting geared up for the CWG 2010.
The most common (totallly obvious) question to me-is about the preps and all the hoopla about the Games and the actual problems that surfaced in the last few days.
My answer has been the same from the first time somebody asked me- The Games will happen. And everything will come together!!! It always does! But, will it showcase our might as a super power in the Sports Arena?? That, is for another day:)

Oh well

Today was a big let down, to say the least. I wont mince words here- I probably played the worst I have played since I started playing again.I held my serve ONCE the entire match!!! Can you believe it? My movement was sluggish, my serve was totally off and I was missing way too much. And she, played steady and focussed tennis every single point.
If I had played my best, I might have had a good shot or at least playing 3 sets, but with my serve all broken down and me not winning any easy points off it, I really had no chance at all whatsoever. Amanda Mcdowell beat me 6-2,6-1. That was it-plain and simple.
The most touching moment was when Sahana started crying after my loss. She was feeling way worse for me than what I felt myself!! These are small things that makes it all worth it. Of course,I would have preferred a win, totally!! But hey, what the heck.You win some and you lose some....thats life.
Tomorrow is a new day and we play our quarter-finals of doubles. Cheerioooo

doubles is fun

Ellen Tsay and I won our first round against 3rd seeds. Ellen and I started out in good nick right away. We broke them the very first game and then had our noses in front the entire first set.Ellen is great at the net, very adept at putting away volleys while I am quite decent at setting up those volleys.So,I guess, we make a good team.Lets see how far we get.
One thing thats annoying though, is that I only play one match a day.After last weekend's outing where I played 10 matches in 3 days, this seems a bit slooooooooow. But, I am not complaining.
Tomorrow,I play singles against Amanda Msdowell,another qualifier who won the NCAA title a couple of years back.From what I hear,she is a hard hitter...should be interesting and I can't wait. I will be on 1st match at 10 am...and if you are reading this, please post your comments/wishes on the blog itself.I would love to know what you think!

Was'nt as easy...

Today,I qualified into the main draw of the 25K in Redding. This will be the 3rd of the main draw tournaments I have played in the past year which mean this-I WILL BE ON THE COMPUTER RANKINGS IN A WEEK!!!! I am surely thrilled beacuse after 7 yrs,I will enter the frame. I surely have no idea if I will be able to keep this ranking... but hey, have to start some where, no??
Yesterday's match was a breeze,I actually wasnt even timing the ball good. But today,I played decent, but my opponent was this 6 foot lanky lass from Southern California- one of the top juniors in the state. I have to say- she really impressed me.
Brianna Morgan served and volleyed on her 1st and 2nd serve the entire match. Her serve was surely powerful with a kick and believe me,I wasnt passing her as much as I'd like to. The thing that was a stand out aspect was how she stayed mentally with me even in the 2nd set when I was up a break.I was a bit nervous by the way she was so free with her stroked and her game. If she is groomed properly- she could be top 50 in the WTA's no doubt.
Tomorrow I get a day off from singles and play doubles first round main draw with Ellen Tsay-another girl who is half my age!!! Might be helpful to run down the lobs:)...