It would happen. I said I was hoping for a Federer win at the Rome Masters and he lost 7-6(4) 7-6(7) to Radek Stepanek.
Radek Stepanek celebrating his victory, Rome 2008
I am jinxed. It is a conclusion I reached long ago when the Indian cricket team had a losing streak. At the famous NatWest tournament, in the final against England, I watched the cricket match long enough to realise that the Indian team had very slim chances of winning. Kaif and Yuvraj were the only proper batsman left, who could have dreamed of victory? I stopped watching and the next morning I woke up to celebrations of the team's historic win (and images of a shirtless Ganguly).
Fan rituals and superstitions always remind me of my Davis Cup experience in the summer of 2006.
For once the Davis Cup was being played in Mumbai so I was thrilled. The excitement levels were high because it was an India-Pakistan tie. Be it cricket or any other sport this always elicits extreme emotions from sports fans.
On paper the Indians looked by far the stronger team. The records were all in favour of India. They had never lost to Pakistan in a Davis Cup tie. And by the Pakistan captain’s own admission India was going into the tie 1-0 up because of the phenomenal doubles team of Paes and Bhupati.
Sports is nothing without upsets. On the final day the tie was evenly poised at 2-2 with only the deciding rubber to be played. To insure against defeat the Indian team captain - Leander Paes - stepped into the singles fray.
Paes, against Aqeel Khan of Pakistan, took the first two sets . During the third set the tide slowly changed. The heat was affecting both players. They took medical time-outs. When they came back Aqeel Khan was in control. He took the third set.
The fourth set began and it was clear that Paes was suffering. An official was overheard saying he was suffering from a wrist injury, a hamstring problem and cramps. He limped around the court. His serve was listless. He repeatedly tried drop shots to avoid running more than necessary. It worked a few times but then he tried to shut down points too early and the drop shots stopped working.
History was staring Pakistan in the face. The crowds began to trickle out. They didn’t want to witness Pakistan making history. When Paes was 0-5 down in the fourth set I couldn’t take it anymore. I walked out of the stands. I stood a little distance away waiting, hoping, for a roar from the crowd that would allow me to re-enter. It didn’t come so I went home.
I arrived home to see Leander Paes serving for the match. He won the match 6-4 7-6 3-6 0-6 6-1. I watched as he cried and wiped his face on the tri-colour draped around his shoulders. The commentators were calling it the greatest match ever. From an Indian perspective it was. And I had missed it.
I tried to console myself by saying that I had seen most of it but I knew I had missed the most important moments of the match. The really special moments were after the match. My family thought I was insane for leaving the match. Maybe I was. But just as a player is allowed their little superstitions can’t a fan have them too? It felt like Murphy’s Laws were playing out. Had I stayed there would the greatest match ever been in India’s favour? I will allow myself to think that if I had stayed I would have helped Pakistan to steal the tie from India.
I know it is stupid to assume that my actions can influence the results of Roger Federer's next match. And yet from my next blog I will refrain from making any predictions or expressing any hopes about the results.
Radek Stepanek celebrating his victory, Rome 2008
I am jinxed. It is a conclusion I reached long ago when the Indian cricket team had a losing streak. At the famous NatWest tournament, in the final against England, I watched the cricket match long enough to realise that the Indian team had very slim chances of winning. Kaif and Yuvraj were the only proper batsman left, who could have dreamed of victory? I stopped watching and the next morning I woke up to celebrations of the team's historic win (and images of a shirtless Ganguly).
Fan rituals and superstitions always remind me of my Davis Cup experience in the summer of 2006.
For once the Davis Cup was being played in Mumbai so I was thrilled. The excitement levels were high because it was an India-Pakistan tie. Be it cricket or any other sport this always elicits extreme emotions from sports fans.
On paper the Indians looked by far the stronger team. The records were all in favour of India. They had never lost to Pakistan in a Davis Cup tie. And by the Pakistan captain’s own admission India was going into the tie 1-0 up because of the phenomenal doubles team of Paes and Bhupati.
Sports is nothing without upsets. On the final day the tie was evenly poised at 2-2 with only the deciding rubber to be played. To insure against defeat the Indian team captain - Leander Paes - stepped into the singles fray.
Paes, against Aqeel Khan of Pakistan, took the first two sets . During the third set the tide slowly changed. The heat was affecting both players. They took medical time-outs. When they came back Aqeel Khan was in control. He took the third set.
The fourth set began and it was clear that Paes was suffering. An official was overheard saying he was suffering from a wrist injury, a hamstring problem and cramps. He limped around the court. His serve was listless. He repeatedly tried drop shots to avoid running more than necessary. It worked a few times but then he tried to shut down points too early and the drop shots stopped working.
History was staring Pakistan in the face. The crowds began to trickle out. They didn’t want to witness Pakistan making history. When Paes was 0-5 down in the fourth set I couldn’t take it anymore. I walked out of the stands. I stood a little distance away waiting, hoping, for a roar from the crowd that would allow me to re-enter. It didn’t come so I went home.
I arrived home to see Leander Paes serving for the match. He won the match 6-4 7-6 3-6 0-6 6-1. I watched as he cried and wiped his face on the tri-colour draped around his shoulders. The commentators were calling it the greatest match ever. From an Indian perspective it was. And I had missed it.I tried to console myself by saying that I had seen most of it but I knew I had missed the most important moments of the match. The really special moments were after the match. My family thought I was insane for leaving the match. Maybe I was. But just as a player is allowed their little superstitions can’t a fan have them too? It felt like Murphy’s Laws were playing out. Had I stayed there would the greatest match ever been in India’s favour? I will allow myself to think that if I had stayed I would have helped Pakistan to steal the tie from India.
I know it is stupid to assume that my actions can influence the results of Roger Federer's next match. And yet from my next blog I will refrain from making any predictions or expressing any hopes about the results.
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