Marat's Moments

I have been religiously following the Grand Slams of tennis.

For all of us tennis fans- the battle over the clay courts has begun. It will pretty soon end and I bet you are anticipating and sending hoorays to your favorite picks!

I have been watching players whack, slam, slice and serve the ball at the 2008 Roland Garros.

Late last week, I watched Marat Safin play against Nikolay Davydenko.

The game ended in 3 sets.

Another defeat for Marat.

I read a write-up about him in the news section of the official site of the French Open, and it was said that he has a new coach – Hernan Gumy. It was written that coach Gumy was able to shape him up and bounce back to his confidence.

Aha! Marat’s mojo is back.

So much for the excitement, I found out the ant-climactic news.

Funny as it may sound, but I feel for Marat.

Can frustration vibrate and send waves from Paris to the Philippines?

(Laughter)

Marat, as I saw him, is a dangerous son of tennis.

He’s so dangerous that he is a threat even to himself.

We saw Marat play and send his opponents home.

We saw him thump his racquets and smash it on his chair.

We saw him get fines and warnings from the referees.

We saw him act like a goof to make the fans smile.

We saw him rise, maintain his post, rise, and fall.

After the knee injury, there the problem began.

It’s sad to see him struggle to pass through all of those powerful players and post his name again on the list of the top seed.

It’s not that he doesn’t play well, in fact, he’s dangerous and aggressive as ever.

But maybe, his draws are pretty too premature.

Early this year, at the Australian Open, Marat displayed superb tennis against Cypriot Marcus Bagdhatis. He was able to redeem himself and catch up with the 2 last sets.

I was glued to the television wishing that he can slide through that stage and come back in the arena.

Unfortunately, he did not.

Well, I guess, Marat’s team – his sports psychologist, coach, mentor, family- has told him time and time and again, that you can not win all the time and you just have to keep on going.

As for me (a tennis player, but not a pro)- there are really times when your body and mind and let’s include the universe-are not in sync with one another, forcing you not to perform well. But, it doesn’t mean that it will be like that forever.

There’s always a chance to rise, and fall, and improve and rise again!

I wish him all the best!