Tsonga on song....

Source: The Age, Melbourne

"Tsonga Tsunami" - every other australian news daily carried a similar headline. Wow, take a bow at this man.

If any of you happened to watch his semi-final clash with Rafaa, you would realise why Jim Courier at the end of the match stepped aside to welcome the rising star compering- "Ladies and Gentleman, a new star is born at Melbourne Park - Jo Wilfried Tsonga". Watta sublime show of tennis !

Nicknamed "Ali" for his physical resemblance to the boxing great "Muhammad Ali", he made the 15,000 + crowd to chant "Tsonga Tsonga". Such was his display of powerful tennis, that the worlds No.2, considered the most athletic on tennis court, Rafaa was rattled from Game 1.

Comparisons are inevitable and the Oz media religiously followed the protocol. And these words should be a clear indicator of the new frenchman in tennis world.

"Pistol Pete returned to Centre Court"

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a 'bee' "

"Ali conquered Mr.Clay"

After witnessing this incredible match, I am just praying for the clash of "god" with Ali. Hope, Federer crushes Djokovic in semis and sets up the grand finale.

One more wonderful sportive weekend up for grabs. Happy watching!

Sportive Weekend

It truly was a sportive weekend!!

Before I get into the world of sports in Oz, for a change, I celebrated a year in one country working for A company in ONE team. Considering my 'company-a-quarter' theory, this accomplishment truly deserves a party.

Yippie, we WON at the WACA!! WACA? eh, WACA!!! Buoy, thats truly an achievement from the boyz and the uncles of our cricket team. Ninety percent credit to our bengalooru boy, Anil for pulling out a memorable victory. Only Ninety percent becoz he lost the other 10% when he overbowled on Day 4. Nonetheless, Indian team deserves a standing ovation for their achievement. Government of India should declare few days of public holiday to celebrate the moment in style. Special credits to Billy and Rauf ;-)

Last week witnessed me packing from office as early as 5 pm to catch up with Australian Open. Buoy, wasnt it fun. As a kid, this is one Grandslam could never watch Live on TV, due to the timezone difference, for most of the hours I would be in school. But my dream of being part of a Grandslam event is now fulfilled. It was a pleasure and sense of accomplishment to witness live the likes of Sania, Sharapova, Fedex, Bhupathy, Rohan, Djokovic etc., As I trickle down my "To-do' list Down Under, there arent many left. Time to dust my passport :-)

As the sportive summer of Oz unfolds, we are in for one more sporting extravaganza this weekend. We have the Adelaide test coming up and the mighty Oz Open wraps up over the weekend.

Best wishes to Anil and co.. special heartfelt wishes to Rahul to repeat his 2003-04 performance at the Adelaide Oval.

Federer, please continue to be what you are, The GOD of Forehand!!

Few snaps of our cricketers at Junction Oval, Melbourne and Sania's doubles-First Round match.

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562164305JMNGuZ?vhost=good-times

Video - fun at Oz Open and Junction Oval

Welcome 2008

“I am back”

In keeping with the tradition of this blog, was away for 2 odd months. Buoy, that is such an herculine effort. This time around I am not going to script any hospital stories. Huge applause from the (few) readers of this space, who were so ecstatic that they blew up more champagne bottles on the eve of New Year. Haan, belated New Year wishes to all you blokes.

For the last fortnight all the desi bahus back home would have seen more Duckan oops Bucknor’s “beautiful” face than their own. Now, if any of you do not recognize the valet of D(R)icky, please switch to any desi News channel where the compere would be running a online SMS poll over the amount of accumulated waste in Duckan’s ears.

After a rather emotional outburst with fellow mates on this contentious issue, one of the conversations is worth a mention here with some added fervour .

“maga, you don’t worry about your nation’s integrity, or is it that you have lost your nationality” hurled my dude.

“Dude, am still very much an Indian. I am fighting here with the locals trying to let know what their cricket team lacks” me tried to pacify him.

“Movie dialogue haan?” he retorted back.

“No dude, seriously”

“If you seriously have it in you, fly back to India NOW”

*pakku faints*

Since "Indian" does not fly directly to melbourne, am left with no choice but to choose an Oz airliner to drop me in nanna bengalooru. Thankfully, my dude was not impressed with me flying an Oz airliner. So am still waiting for "Indian" to start operating this circuit.(jokingly)

The above conversation vindicates how much we love our cricket and nation. Don’t we? So pakku has decided to go on “3-meal a day only in desi dhaba” fast until the ban is withdrawn unconditionally ;-)

It is a well-published construct that we were pushed around in the most meticulous manner around the SCG drainage system but this hue-and-cry has made our cricketer’s focus more on deepika padukones’ smile than the pace of Oz quartet bowlers. Hope, we atleast draw the remaining matches. Yeah, am being over-optimistic here. With Mr. UV-struck-by-Deepi and Mr. Fever (dada) out of sorts in their own way, hope the other “nau-jawaan”, sorry the uncles of the Indian cricket team rise to the occasion.

On the personal front, the long vacation was full of cricket extravaganza with lazing around the ourskirts of Melbourne. I got to greet the Indian cricket team at the Junction oval in their only practise game at Melbourne. It was truly a cherishable moment. Moreso for Mr. Cool Captain responding to kannada and Rahul-the-ever-smart-guy being more gracious to sign for me.

Not to miss the mention of Boxing Day atmosphere at the MCG. For my presence in the stands was auspicious to India picking 9 wickets on the very first day. The rest is history.

Your’s truly has decided to have more-and-more fun as part of New Year resolution for the coming year(s). So this space would have regular (?) updates on squash, swimming, trekking, tennis, Oz geography, more blah blah… stay tuned!!!

Again, Happy New Year wishes oops, it is already “Sankranthi”, Happy Pongal!!!

When will you stop fingering....

_1_ F*** off you Buck for giving Rahul "OUT" today (06 Jan)