| Name: SKK
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-29 22:54:27 Comments: Its really sad to see that Mahesh Hammy is troubling him again. Hopefully he is fit for the quarters.Well If LP-MB does great at this wimbledon reach semis atleast, they should take a big break atleast till the Start of SUPER 9'S , as they haven't much point to defend and play singles alone. I still believe that (ever an optimist), that LP can atleast reach the quarters of GRAND SLAM.Mahesh is much better than his present ranking and should play a lot of challengers and should break in to top 150 atleast at the end of this year. GO LP, GO MB. |
| Name: R.
Jayakrishnan
Website: TennisIndia Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Kerals, now in India Time: 1999-06-29 20:10:30 Comments: Sorry Prasenjit that it took me a while to reply -- was busy and didn't have the patience to click 5-10 times to get through to the guestbook (which was on a semi-blink for a few days and seems to be fine) .. Actually, I may have mistakenly said that other than at Indian Wells, getting messed up in singles entries may not have been LP's fault .. I am actually not sure why he was not in the draw at Queens .. I remember checking that time and the draw was actually closing a few spots above him (even though there were two other tour events the same week, Queens normally does close just around 100 - there may have been a few withdrawals and lower ranked players may have got in, in the end) .. Anyway, I have not been in contact with LP for a few days, and I will ask him next time ---- Jay |
| Name: R.
Jayakrishnan
Website: TennisIndia Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Kerala, now in Irvine, CA Time: 1999-06-29 20:00:33 Comments: I disagree with some of the presumptions in Animesh's post below .. First of all, I disagree that if Eltingh continued to play they would necessarily be #1 right now .. Eltingh just had an incredible 10 months last year, which is true - but they have been around for many years, and LP-MB have beaten them many times. Don't forget the wins over them in 1997 by our pair, when nobody even knew about LP-MB .. Better still, ask Eltingh- Haarhuis who the last team to beat them was .. That's right, the Indian Express (the best win of their career, in my mind), in the final at the Stuttgart Super 9 last October. A straight-set 6-2 6-3 shellacking of the team that had just 4 losses the whole year and was so far ahead of everybody else in ranking .. The career head-to-head between these two teams is 3-3 if I am not mistaken .. As for Woodies, it's another matter .. They do seem to have gone down a bit - and LP-MB did have three losses against them before beating them in the Shanghai final late last year .. But, all of this is rather point-less .. When Woodies became #1 a few years back, people could have said that if McEnroe-Fleming were around they would be nowhere .. Our pair has beaten every damn team around (except Bjorkman/Rafter, though that 5-set AO final was incredibly close) .. One thing I agree with though - there is a need for another couple of teams which will definitely be around for a few years, to challenge our pair .. Our pair will be considered one of the all-time "greats" in doubles only after they keep the #1 position for 3-4 years and go over about 25 titles .. To get motivated to stay on top like that is tough unless there is competition and rivalries .. Right now, my best hope is on a team like the young Bryan twins for the future (they have the best chance to stay together long) .. As of now, our boys have gone 14-1 in grand slam matches this year and there is no need to second-guess how much they deserve the #1 ranking. They earned it by winning -NOT by default .. I agree that in the long run what matters is the competition they get and the longevity they show --- Jay ---- (PS: as for the top singles player playing doubles, it was always like this - how much doubles do you remember Lendl, Connors, etc, playing ? .. There was an occasional "true great one" like a McEnroe but for the last 25 years or so, doubles have become something that top-20 players don't play consistently .. Would they be #1 if more top-20 players played serious doubles with consistent partners - Can't say, but I have no doubt that our guys will still be a top-5 team at least regardless of wheover the heck on tour plays doubles .. There are some aspects of the skills LP and MB have which are particularly suited for doubles - hence my guess that our guys will be one of the best in the world, regardless of whoever plays doubles). |
| Name: LeanP
fan
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: chicago..go...go...go..LP/MB Time: 1999-06-28 19:16:51 Comments: And then there are some whiners and armchair critics, who do nothing but criticize. For God's sake when are people going to learn and appreciate...........?????????????? |
| Name: animesh
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-28 01:36:49 Comments: Hi Jay, I have been reading your notes for some time now. It seems that everybody is very excited about leander and Mahesh being world No. 1 in doubles. I would like to join you guys in celebrating this great feat of two Indians. However, there are a few hitches. The first thing is that Leander and mahesh got this world No. 1 title more by default than by achievement i.e. only after Eltingh-Haarhuis retired and the Woodies for some reason miserably lost their form. The other thing that makes me sad is that there are too few top men's singles players playing doubles these days. Thus the challenge in this version of the sport is lacking. If we stopped to think who actually were challenging the Woodies when they were on their record breaking run at Wimbledon during the early and mid-nineties, then the answer would be "hardly anybody except the Eltingh-haarhuis combo". Kafelnikov-Vacek for a brief period of time looked a threat but then kafelnikov clearly defined his priorities and minimised his doubles commitments. The thing is that being at the top is nice only when you know that somebody wants to dethrone you really badly. I do not think there are enough good players who really want to dethrone our combination as soon as possible. That in itself tends to reduce the glory of this achievement. No disrespect to LP-MB though, they have played brilliantly over the last three years. Please let me know your views on this. thanks.... animesh |
| Name: animesh
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-28 01:35:29 Comments: Hi Jay, I have been reading your notes for some time now. It seems that everybody is very excited about leander and Mahesh being world No. 1 in doubles. I would like to join you guys in celebrating this great feat of two Indians. However, there are a few hitches. The first thing is that Leander and mahesh got this world No. 1 title more by default than by achievement i.e. only after Eltingh-Haarhuis retired and the Woodies for some reason miserably lost their form. The other thing that makes me sad is that there are too few top men's singles players playing doubles these days. Thus the challenge in this version of the sport is lacking. If we stopped to think who actually were challenging the Woodies when they were on their record breaking run at Wimbledon during the early and mid-nineties, then the answer would be "hardly anybody except the Eltingh-haarhuis combo". Kafelnikov-Vacek for a brief period of time looked a threat but then kafelnikov clearly defined his priorities and minimised his doubles commitments. The thing is that being at the top is nice only when you know that somebody wants to dethrone you really badly. I do not think there are enough good players who really want to dethrone our combination as soon as possible. That in itself tends to reduce the glory of this achievement. No disrespect to LP-MB though, they have played brilliantly over the last three years. Please let me know your views on this. thanks.... animesh |
| Name: Ajay Verma
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: College Station Time: 1999-06-25 23:37:44 Comments: I had always been thinking that its only a matter of time when LP/MB will start dominating on grass as well. And I was of the view that if LP/MB wins a couple of matches in Wimbledon, they can go all the way. They have got two wins now and I think that they can reach finals this time from their half. But it won't be easy route as their are some good teams on the way, like Bryan brothers or Lareau/Brian( the old enemy), and W.Black/Stolle. On other half, I think the finalist would be determined after a tough fight between Rafter/Bjorkman and Woodies. Considering, it is Wimbledon, Woodies would be favorite to win the title. I think we might see the dream final between our guys and the Woodies with title going to Woodies. Though, like any other LP/MB fan, I would wish that my prediction of only DREAM FINALS comes true and nothing more than that. |
| Name: Prasenjit
Mitra
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-24 20:41:04 Comments: LP's rank on 4/19/99 was 105. In the week of the queens tournament of 56 person singles draw there was a 32 person tourney in Halle and 32 person in Bologna. I would expect LP to gain direct entry - it puzzles me why he missed it unless he really did not want to play. He also did not turn up for the Hamburg Super 9 qualies. Jay mentioned his missing only one tournament at Indian Wells due to bad luck, so I thought I would point these out. Maybe he had genuine reasons, since I do not know them, it still bothers me. |
| Name: jothy
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-23 21:33:33 Comments: Commenting on the suggestion that 'you have to have groundstrokes as well as everything else to play wimbledon these days',.. Its not a new phenomenon at all ,..unless you have an outstanding weapon which you can rely eg Agassi returns and strokes,..Ivanisevic serve, then since the start of theprofessional era, as a top player you had to have all the shots.,. players these days are faster and fitter, but the top players always had all the shots,.. Strong ground strokes are not a must if you have other big weapons or a genuine all-court game eg wilander, kafelnikov. LP doesnt really have a big shot compared with most top players or an all court game. Thus his game requires that everything he has is working well in harmony. Players with big weapons, even just top notch groundstrokes have done well at wimbledon many times in the past (even if its to the quarters or semis or champs eg Agassi.) Intuitively i feel there is also a mental factor in LPs wimbledon performance which he can overcome in the future. |
| Name: Jeff
Leavoy
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Lancaster, NY Time: 1999-06-23 18:37:20 Comments: Congratulations Leander and Mahesh, Just finished "watching" your match with Kempers/Kohlmann on the Wimbledon web site. The net cam shots were great from Court 2. Unfortunately, my daytime internet connection precluded me from joining the other members of the fan club in the chat room during the match. However, I just wanted to pass along my congratulations and best wishes in the next round. Good luck! Jeff Leavoy |
| Name: R.
Jayakrishnan
Website: TennisIndia Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Kerala, no in Irvine, CA Time: 1999-06-22 08:01:44 Comments: Hey, folks - don't worry about me commenting on your comments on Leander. The forum is for all of you, and I don't disagree with most of your comments (except one guy below, whom I can't understand :-)). We are all fans of LP, and all of us go through frustration. Neither I nor Leander said anything about any injuries today (I haven't talked to him, but no such report yet). So, no - nobody gave any excuses. All I said in the web page notes was that Andre Sa is not necessarily a bad player (everybody seems to think so, just because the 22 yr old has a 171 rank and was a qualifier here) while jumping all over LP for losing this match. As for the question on whether Leander has ever "tanked" a match ?. He probably has. So has most tennis players, for various reasons, on certain days, when you are playing day after day. LP was on record not so long ago that he was close to quitting the whole thing as he couldn't stand the loneliness and other things on the tour, not to mention the time he was taking to reach the top. I was the most disappointed one in this Wimbledon loss, as I thought for once LP was there in good health and could do some damage this year. That was not to be. But we all move on. Jeez, two weeks after a high at the French Open, we shouldn't just start crying so badly! Cheer up folks .. LP is not going anywhere, he is going to play many many many more matches and win many many many more. I am sure he will read this - and surely he has to be touched by the concern from all of us. Keep the hope up ! -- at least we have doubles to look forward to. There are quite a few who lost at Wimbledon today whose fans have nothing to look forward to! |
| Name: dismayed indian
in the US
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-22 05:12:43 Comments: I was pretty disgusted after seeing the scoreline of PAes-Sa. The thing that is incredible is that he is having a tough time winning even a set at Wimbledon ! (He might have won 1 set against Petchey). I am somewhat tired of hearing excuses about injuries to Leander - professionals should be able to play through them, and his trainer should be keeping him injury-free. I am not coming down on Paes, but I am somewhat resigned to the fact that he might simply not be that good of a singles player. He lacks consistency, and at times desire on the court. I feel that at times (NOT Davis cup, where he is brilliant) he packs it in and quits. I saw him play live in Wash DC, and essentially watched him tank the match in about 1 hour. Before Jay comments on this - I have been playing for 20 years, and played collegiately, and I KNOW when someone tanks a match. Anyway, I was just ranting - the thing is-PAes has had a great draw at Wimbledon every year - unlike Bhupathi, and yet cannot take advantage of it. I agree with the previous email - Leander, despite the adulation really has not carved up much of a singles career compared to the predecessors. |
| Name: Prasenjit
Basu
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Singapore (originally Calcutta; now visiting London/Edinburgh) Time: 1999-06-21 23:35:55 Comments: Very dispiriting to see Leander losing yet again in the first round, and this time to a low-ranked Brazilian who surely must have agreed (until today) with Rios' contention that grass is for the cows. Leander's singles career has been a victim of bad planning from the start, and this year has been simply atrocious. Just when last year's Newport win and the Sampras victory in New Haven seemed to have propelled him to a new level, Leander's singles career seems to have come to a complete grinding halt. We continue to pray that the world's top-ranked doubles duo will redeem themselves at the Big W. But with even Arvind Parmar making the second round here, Leander's utter lack of success is totally baffling. There are still astonishingly at least 5 Calcuttans (leave alone Indians) who have out-performed Leander at Wimbledon (Dilip Bose, Naresh Kumar, Premjit Lal, Jaideep and Chiradeep Mukerjea). When, oh when, will Leander set this right? |
| Name: Mahender
Bongu
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: India, Presently in Kansas City, U.S.A Time: 1999-06-21 20:28:33 Comments: Hey Leander, First of all congratulations to you and Bhupathi on winning the " first of many to come" Grand Slam titles. You have given a lot to "Cheer" for millions of people back home and abroad . You have come a long way since those old days when we played each other at the Delhi Nationals ( DLTA - Junior Nationals - 1987....do you remember....no way .... take it easy). Today was a frustrating day as I watched you losing to Andre Sa.....Grass is your favourite...you are one of the best on it........we all know your abilities and want to watch you doing well in Singles Sydney (2000) will show us your best performance for sure but how about starting it right away. Good luck and yes, Bhupathi and you are not just sportsmen but "Patriotic Sportsmen" and that is the reason we all love you. |
| Name: LpMbFan
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: sarasota, Fl Time: 1999-06-21 20:08:06 Comments: ha ha ha ha ha, the stupid boy lost again - and his stupid mentor (the civil engr from Irvine, california) is mourning - he (the mentor) has a strange feeling that LP's singles career has ended - ha ha ha ha ha - what is strange about that feeling ? I have had this feeling for the last two years (since March '97 or Chennai '97) - give a sinking person a piece of straw, he will cling to it for his life ! - what's so strange about that ?????? - ha ha ha ha ha comments are welcome.....................................LpMbFan |
| Name: Riten
Ghosh
Website: Referred by: Net Search From: India Time: 1999-06-19 20:27:27 Comments: Congrats to Leander and Mahesh for winning the French Open. Time and again, they have done our country proud. In a nation which is obsessed with cricket and cricketers, it is unfortunate that truly great performers like LP and MB do not always get their share of accolades. |
| Name: Nizam
Shaikh
Website: Referred by: Clicked on our Banner Advertisement From: Bay Area, CA Time: 1999-06-18 23:10:18 Comments: Happy belated Birthday and CONGRATULATIONS on becoming the #1 doubles player in the world. I really don't mind which one of you is ahead of the other, as long as you and Mahesh keep the 1 and 2 places. I wish you both all the best at the Grand W. |
| Name: Leander.
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-18 14:23:47 Comments: Just wanted to thank Jay and all of you for your support as well as criticitism. It's nice to see the fan club growing and Jays' prompt update of matches as well as rankings. Thanks again for all your encouragements and support. Lee. |
| Name: Sukanta
Tarafder
Website: Sukanta's Home Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Calcutta , India Time: 1999-06-18 07:38:48 Comments: Many Many Happy Returns of The day, Leander. |
| Name: Krish
Dey
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Sweden Time: 1999-06-18 07:33:13 Comments: Happy Birth Day Leander. Many many happy returns of the day. Wish you all the best in the coming days. |
| Name: atp
Website: from: www.atptour.com Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-17 09:43:20 Comments: Wimbledon Doubles © Gianni Ciaccia 06/16/99 Three finals in a row for Indians? Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes have an outstanding Grand Slam record this year. The Indian combination reached their first two Grand Slam finals this year, losing their first at the Australian Open but winning their second at the French Open. In Melbourne they ended up just short of their first Grand Slam title when they lost a close five-setter to Jonas Bjorkman and Patrick Rafter. In Paris, however, their time had come. Bhupathi and Paes defeated the surprise combination of Goran Ivanisevic and Jeff Tarango 6-2 and 7-5 for their greatest career achievement. The win moved them to the top spot on the ATP Tour Doubles Teams Rankings and to No.1 (Bhupathi) and No.2 (Paes) on the ATP Tour Doubles Individual Rankings. Consequently the Indian team enter the doubles competition in Wimbledon as the No.1 seeds. One defending champ returns Their biggest challenge will come from No.2 seeds and last year's finalists Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge. The Australian combination lost to Bjorkman/Rafter in the semifinals of the Australian Open and suffered an early exit at the French, where they lost their first round match against Nebojsa Djordjevic and Gabor Koves. The experienced duo returned to their usual self on the grass courts in Queen's, where they reached the final. Australian Open winners Bjorkman/Rafter are also showing promising form on grass. The No.3 seeds for Wimbledon recently won the doubles title in Halle, where they defeated Paul Haarhuis and Jared Palmer in the final (6-3, 7-5). Haarhuis returns to Wimbledon as defending champion. He won last year's title with Jacco Eltingh who retired at the end of 1998. The Dutchman still holds the No.3 position on the ATP Tour Doubles Individual Rankings and will be seeded 8th with his new partner Jared Palmer. Other contenders for this year's doubles crown include No.4 seeds Wayne Black and Sandon Stolle and the experienced French combination of Olivier Delaitre and Fabrice Santoro, who are seeded 5th. In addition to these a number of doubles specialists, including Knowles/Nestor (seeded No.6), Ferreira/Leach (7), Lareau/O'Brien (9), and Arthurs/Kratzmann (12), should not be overlooked. |
| Name: Ajeet
D Sharma
Website: Referred by: Lycos From: India, Agra via Duke Univ Time: 1999-06-16 20:27:59 Comments: Congratulations boys! Well done.Best of luck for Wimbeldon. |
| Name: Krish
Dey
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Sweden Time: 1999-06-16 09:40:06 Comments: Jay, Thanks for your reply. I'm also a great fan of Leander, not now, but from those days when he used to struggle for sponsorship. I know how hard it was those days for him. But his 'never give up' attitude made him a hero to me. I just worry about his singles ranking. I too want him to perform well , want him to make his mark. He is quite capable to beating the top 20 players. He will do that. Wish him all the best again. Leander , you made us proud and definitely will make us proud again. |
| Name: Alex
Carreteiro
Website: Referred by: From a Friend From: Brazil Time: 1999-06-15 16:25:57 Comments: Fazal, congratulations for the good playing at the Satellites. We all here at Temple University wish you good luck in the next tournaments. Keep going C---LUDDIN!!! Hasta la vista, Alex. |
| Name: R.
Jayakrishnan
Website: TennisIndia Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Kerala, now in California Time: 1999-06-15 16:19:32 Comments: Krish, Prasenjit in post #135 was referring to what I had written in my daily notes (check June 13 Note-2 at the newspage in the TennisIndia pages) where I had explained how exactly Leander missed playing singles this week .. Go easy on LP - he didn't just arbitrarily skip singles this week .. He really couldn't have avoided skipping this week, without risking missing Wimbledon altogether .. At the Heineken trophy entry deadline 7 week back, he wasn't sure if he would have to play qualies at Wimbledon - if he were in the entry list at Heineken, he won't be allowed to play Wimby qualies .. It turned out that he made it in direct at Wimby later, and the only option was to sign in for qualies at heineken on Friday night, which he couldn't as they were playing doubles at Queens till 9 pm Friday .. That's the story, which prompted Prasenjit to write his last post .. I believe LP messed up and missed playing at only one place this year (Indian Wells, where some odd travel planning caused him to arrive from India with jetlag at only 12 mid night, just 10 hours before the first round qualies, despite having the whole previous week off) .. Don't worry, Leander knows what he has to do, but it gets pretty tough sometimes with circumstances ... As for me, I am no longer as worried about week-to-week rankings as I used to be .. I know that LP is perfectly capable of easily picking up wins to stay in the 80-110 range, but he has done that long enough already .. I want LP to win some big ones - like some 4 or more rounds at Wimbledon or US Open, and beat some top-20 players consistently .. Nobody really remembers if somebody was in the 55-75 range for 3 years rather than at 80-110 !! .. People remember somebody reaching the QF or SF of grand slams .. I think one of these days LP will do that - he is certainly capable of that ! ... Regards, ----- Jay |
| Name: kartik krishnan
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-15 16:00:06 Comments: do not get too excited about playing a qualifier - petr korda is a "qualifier" this year, and I certainly do not want leander playing him in the first round. An indian-briton - Arvind Parmar also won a round in qualies. |
| Name: Paul
Oswald
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Australia Time: 1999-06-15 08:47:13 Comments: Leander & Mahesh - a superb achievement. All the best for the rest of the season. We all look forward to you coming back to Australia. Paul. |
| Name: Krish
Dey
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Sweden Time: 1999-06-15 07:56:17 Comments: I can't agree with the previous post. Is Leander really trying his best to improve his singles ranking by skipping tournaments after tournaments ??? Remember, Leander has to defend so many points and I guess he wouldn't be able to do that. As a result of that , there is a possibility of Leander slipping down to 200 or so in the ranking. Leander is still the No 1 singles player in Asia, but perhaps very soon he is going to loose that also. Is that good ? Is that all we expect from Leander ? Without playing a singles match in grass court , he is gonna play Winbledon. I don't expect any good result from him there, Without having enough practice , no can succeed , this is not a place where miracle can happen. See the players like Kulti. From nowhere , he reached Halle - Gerry Weber Open , because he utilized the chance he got there !!! Still Wish you all the best Leander. |
| Name: Prasenjit
Mitra
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: San Mateo, CA Time: 1999-06-14 07:25:32 Comments: It is good to know that LP is still trying his best in singles. I am glad to - sort of - eat my own words from my earlier post. Hope the (relatively) light load keeps LP healthy enough for lots of good wins in Wimbledon. Good luck LP ( and MB)! |
| Name: Paola
Calderon
Website: need to get ahold of you!!!!!!!!! Referred by: AOL From: Palm Springs Time: 1999-06-13 17:20:07 Comments: Hey mahesh when r u going to update this page????????? well I need your help I need to talk to u, I would like to know how WILL UPTON is doing I miss him mooner124@aol |
| Name: Joseph
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Kerala now in California Time: 1999-06-12 17:26:34 Comments: Congratulations to Leander and Mahesh!!! My last message here was message# 29. As i predicted then, LP-MB will win another grand slam championship this year. This is going to be one of the best years for Indian Tennis. |
| Name: Prasenjit
Basu
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Singapore Time: 1999-06-12 06:39:27 Comments: With Srinath moving up to the 320s and Fazaluddin into the 390s at the end of the latest Satellite circuit in India, there seems little doubt that this year's round of Challengers and Satellites have proven to be a bounty for Indian players (as they are supposed to be, but haven't until the past 6 months). LP and Mahesh were the big gainers from the Challengers (after failing to take advantage of the points available at the Indian "Gold Flake" Open in Chennai -- because of injury in earlier weeks in LP's case). With Srinath, Fazal and Harsh Mankad now capable of making the main draws of many Challengers, we fans will hopefully have some regular singles achievements to look forward to. Nirupama and Manisha, meanwhile, give cause for some hope on the women's side -- though their rankings put them on the fringes of full-tour and Challenger events respectively. At least, the question "After Leander who?" is looking mildly less challenging now. |
| Name: Krish
Dey
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Sweden Time: 1999-06-11 07:20:44 Comments: I think it is time for Leander to concentrate in Singles to improve his ranking. I couldn't understand him why he chose not to play in Queen's. he could have played there. Grass is his natural surface and he could have done better there this year. We all know that he has a good potential to defeat some top 10 players , but never really got to see this happen !! His best performance in Grand Slam was US Open in 1997 (?). Leander , are you doing justice to your singles ability ??? Please play more tounaments in singles and earn some valuable points. I know he is eaning some good amount of money from doubles and may be planning to concentrate on that . But see good doubles players like Woodbridge and Woodford were always within top 50. Is Leander there in top 50 ? He struggles to keep himself within top 100. Leander , concentrate on singles too , we want to see you as a successful singles palyer !! All the best. Mahesh , you too should break into top 100 very soon . you can do it !!! |
| Name: Prasenjit
Mitra
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: San Mateo, CA, USA Time: 1999-06-11 04:47:45 Comments: I would like to know very much what Leander's thinking is regarding skipping the singles matches at Queen's and Rosemalen. I hope he goes to the Rosemalen qualies, but if LP/MB win the quarters in Queen's, which is very much possible, he will miss the qualifiers. Earlier in the year he had a chance to go to a qualifying at some tournament but decided to skip it. I used to think Leander is a huge fighter, who gives his best on the court everytime he is on it. The very fact that he is shirking from playing singles has me extremely disappointed. Quite a few of the top doubles specialists at least have a top 50 ranking and the Woodies have been playing singles till this ripe old age and taking it seriously. The one qualifier he missed earlier on in the year and these two grass tournaments were his chance to pick up some singles points. Down the year, doubles will take precedence, there will be only two 32-player tournaments in the week and they will get no singles matches whatsoever. His ranking will fall. I can understand giving up on singles to play the major tournaments in doubles - after all he has to earn his living - but skipping singles when you get a hard-to-get entry in a tournament is telling us that he is not interested. I used to follow Lee's singles career very keenly - every morning I check the scores first. Now that I am very disappointed, I suppose I will only follow their doubles. In my mind, Lee is no longer the fighter he was, it is sad. The argument that he will pick up some injuries if he plays singles has some weight but when you see that he skipped a quals on a clay court tourney earlier in the year, says perhaps, that it is not the case - he has plain given up. Hope my favorite tennis player changes his mind and gets re-interested in singles tennis - wins Wimbledon and the US Open :-) - and tons of other tourneys - we can dream can't we? Thanks, Prasenjit Mitra |
| Name: Prasenjit
Basu
Website: Referred by: NewsGroups From: Singapore Time: 1999-06-11 02:58:27 Comments: It is hugely disappointing to find Leander failing to enter the singles draw at Queen's or Rosmalen. It's fine to skip the clay season, but at 26 he is running out of opportunities to show his very real abilities on the grass at the Big W. Two years ago, LP did win two rounds at Halle and last year (if I remember right) won a round at Rosmalen. At Wimbledon, he is not even among the top-20 Indian performers of all time. Dilip Bose, Mohammed Ghouse, Ramanathan (twice) and Ramesh Krishnan, and Vijay Amritraj (twice) have made the quarters. Shashi Menon, Jaideep Mukerjea, Anand Amritraj, Chiradeep Mukerjea, Premjit Lall, Naresh Kumar, Sumant Mishra -- to name a few -- have all made it past the first round. Leander is surely more talented on grass than many on that list. The last two years, Leander has performed spectacularly at the Newport Hall of Fame tournament immediately after the Big W -- a classic case of peaking too late. This year, by skipping all the preparatory events, he is jeopardising his own ranking (as he has a lot of points to defend, given his win at Newport last year). Come on Leander, let's have some singles glory at the Big W too -- especially since grass doesn't seem to be our pair's favourite doubles surface. |
| Name: Jeff
Leavoy
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Lancaster, NY, USA Time: 1999-06-10 18:29:44 Comments: Hi Leander, Since my family and I live in Western New York State, we are big Buffalo Sabres fans. I don't know if you follow professional hockey, but the Sabres have just made it into the NHL (Stanley Cup) finals, and they won their first game on Tuesday. So this seems to be the year for the Leavoy family's favorite athletes to excel in their respective sports! If you would like to jump on the Sabres bandwagon, they play again tonight (in Dallas, 8:00 P.M. Buffalo time). If you have any hockey questions, I'd love to answer them. My Dad was Canadian, and when I was a kid the only sport we ever watched was hockey. If you like a fast-paced game requiring tremendous conditioning and exceptional hand-eye coordination (sounds like tennis!), with a lot of physical contact thrown in (and an occassional fight) for good measure, you'll love hockey! On the daily notes page today, Jay talked about the difficulty of playing both singles and doubles on the professional tennis tour. It's amazing that Jay brought up that topic, because I was just thinking about that issue myself and wondering if your doubles success has limited your ability to play singles. In particular, when a doubles team is as successful as you and Mahesh, you are obviously playing a ton of tennis and really wearing down your body. You might remember from our discussion in Toronto (while with the other kids from Lancaster, NY) that my two sons have been both singles and doubles players at the high school level. They have both also experienced fatigue (on a smaller scale, of course) from the extra strain caused by playing so often. When this has occurred, my wife and I have encouraged Jason and John to concentrate on one event for a period of time until their bodies recovered. Now that you have won the doubles Grand Slam and are solidly the #1 doubles team in the WORLD (yea!), with not a lot of ATP doubles points to defend for a while, this might be the time for you to jump back into singles. Especially with you body on the mend and your demonstrated abilities on grass, this seems like the year for you at Wimbledon! Of course, I am not suggesting in any way that you stop playing doubles. Indeed, you and Mahesh are on a roll and should keep things going! However, now that you have reached the pinnacle in doubles, now is a good time to refocus a little additional energy on singles (both you and Mahesh) to continue the climb up the ATP standings. As you know, Wimbledon is a great place to play a serve and volley style, which really suits your game! So in my opinion, now is the perfect time for a singles run at a Grand Slam to complement your doubles achievements. Well, if you're still reading at this point, I thank you for hanging in there throughout all my ramblings. Good luck this week at Queens, and we'll see you in Montreal! Jeff Leavoy |
| Name: Simon
Chaudhuri
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: INDIA--live in Germany, study in London Time: 1999-06-10 17:27:25 Comments: First of all a HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS to our boys for pulling off such a historic achievement! They have every right to be proud and I am happy that they are receiving the recognition they deserve from all corners--including our Prime Minister! All the best to both Leander and Mahesh for the future--I hope we can catch up again this year during your London stay--unfortunately, I will have to give my usual trips to Queen's a miss as I am in the midst of exams. Nevertheless, as I have also told them personally--they shouldn't neglect the singles side of tennis. Sure they are the best doubles team in the world, but most attention is still on the performance of players in singles competitions. Also, doubles accounts for only one point in Davis Cup...Both players are highly talented and definitely have what it takes to be right up there at the top. So, Leander and Mahesh--congratulations, thank you, and best of luck to both of you! We are all very very proud of you! |
| Name: Paola
Calderon
Website: Chat room??? Referred by: AOL From: Indian wells Time: 1999-06-10 03:06:52 Comments: Hey guys why won't you guys set a date so we can chat I'm looking foward to it Paola calderon |
| Name: Sabyasachi
Das
Website: Referred by: From a Friend From: Calcutta, India Time: 1999-06-10 00:40:18 Comments: LP/MB, Can you guys give us a GRAND-slam (all four) ? We are proud of you. --Sabya. |
| Name: Nizam
Shaikh
Website: none Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Bay Area, CA Time: 1999-06-07 23:39:17 Comments: Good timing to reach #1 spot in the word with a SLAM. Congratulations and Ibeleive in my heart this is just the begining of a new era. Go on and write India's name in the tennis history with all the SLAMS. GO Mahesh!!! Go Leander!!! |
| Name: Vijaya
Raju Peruri
Website: Referred by: From a Friend From: USA Time: 1999-06-07 18:33:49 Comments: Cogratulations |
| Name: Srikanth
Kurkal
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: India Time: 1999-06-07 18:26:03 Comments: Congratulations Leander and Mahesh, You have shown that it is possible for Indians to win a grandslam and show that Indians could be world beaters. Now, we have higher ambitions and goals for you guys. You may or may not know it, but we as a nation, win and lose with you. We are all behind you. |
| Name: The
Leavoy Family
Website: Referred by: From a Web Ring From: Lancaster, NY USA Time: 1999-06-07 16:54:21 Comments: Way to go guys! My family and I look forward to seeing you this summer in Montreal. We wish you the best of luck as the year progresses. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in your great achievement! Jeff, Judy, Jason, John and Julie Leavoy |
| Name: maj
vinod krishna
Website: ongc Referred by: Clicked on a 'Guestbooks by GuestWorld' Button From: new delhi india Time: 1999-06-07 16:27:11 Comments: hi leander and mahesh, heartiest congratilations to you both and your parents. the whole country feels truly proud of you. we would love to see you both together through thick and thin. please continue to serve indian tennis- nay - india the way you have done all these years. i have had the privilege and honour to have done the commentary on doordarshan for many years incl the gold flake open all three years and some davis cup ties. i am with ongc as head of pr. would love to honour you at delhi next time you are around. pl let me know the time. my phones : 011-3717898(off) 011 8544419(res) with best wishes: maj vinod krishna |
| Name: PARTHASARATHY
Website: Referred by: From a Friend From: new jersey , usa Time: 1999-06-07 15:53:32 Comments: Paes & Bhupathi , congratulations on Cornering glory for India |
| Name: S.
Babu Mallishetty
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: New Jersey, USA Time: 1999-06-07 15:45:37 Comments: My hearty Congratulations to Mahesh and Leander!!! It is a tremendous accomplishment winning the coveted French Open title! All of your hard work has finally paid off! Good luck with Wimbledon, our support is with you!!! |
| Name: Gautam
Belday
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Hyderabad/New York City Time: 1999-06-07 15:06:44 Comments: Congrats to the duo.... hope they keep winning.... Best wishes... |
| Name: jb
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-07 10:52:22 Comments: SHABASH SHABASH 1)I am confident that the boys won't fall into the trap which has engulfed the likes of Agassi, Rafter, Kuerten etc: resting on one's laurels when they should instead be using their unique talent to the maximum in the few years they can do so. Let succes not breed contentment. 2) Damn, they can't win the doubles grand slam this year; how costly may that fifth set prove to be ! 3) Strange that (this) final recieved less coverage than a first round singles match at some obsecure tournament which may be transmitted live throughout the world. With Eltingh likely to be elected to the ATP board of directors this may hopefully change. I hope that atleast DD's transmission is not just a one time fluke. |
| Name: Arunava
Chaudhuri
Website: The (unofficial) Indian Football Site Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Remscheid, Germany Time: 1999-06-07 09:41:20 Comments: Congratulations to Leander & Mahesh for winning the French Open Title!!! You did a great job and filled indians all over the world with proud!!! Hope you continue in this way and stay a top doubles team for some years to come. Do your best in Wimbledon!!! |
| Name: Lianne
Rodricks
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Goa, India but live in Muscat, Oman Time: 1999-06-07 08:34:10 Comments: Congratulations Champs!!!! You did yourselves and India proud. Many happy returns of the day Hesh, you couldn't have given yourself a better birthday present. Only try and make it an annual gift....not a bi-annual one. Lee, that mischievous grin says it all. One down...........several more to go. Looking forward to more millenium magic from both of you. Watchout Wimbledon.....our Dynamite Duo have their sights set on you. All the best for always. Lianne |
| Name: Ajay
Verma
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-07 07:23:01 Comments: Congratulations Leander and Mahesh. You made us proud. There is no doubt about the quality of tennis they play. But quality alone does not produce champions, one also need mental toughness - so glaringly lacking from our cricket team even though they have so much quality. They need to look LP-MB and learn how to be mentally tough on the playground. And best thing of all is that all of their aggresiveness is directed against opposition only on the courts, while off-court they are perfect example of gentlemen. First Grand Slam title and I'm already looking for more. Come on LP-MB - the next target is Wimbledon. They still need something to prove on the lawns of Wimbledon though no one doubts their capability. With their passion and their resolve they'll definately be able to dominate the doubles tennis for the years to come. |
| Name: Krish
Dey
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-07 06:42:29 Comments: Congratulation Leander and Mahesh !! You made us proud again and something to smile about as Indian. LP/MB, wish you all the best and keep it up .. please show the world that we Indians can do !! Yes , We have the champions from India !!! Congratulation from me , from all the tennis lovers from India. |
| Name: Paola
calderon
Website: What happen? Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: la quinta Time: 1999-06-07 05:44:42 Comments: Hello mahesh congradulations!! I'm very happy for you, but what happen to your coach?? Will Upton?? Please send e-mail mooner124@aol.com thank you!! |
| Name: Sunny Koka
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Houston, Texas Time: 1999-06-07 04:10:49 Comments: Dear Leander/Mahesh, In my opinion you guys have done more for our Indian flag than all our politicians ( who do more damage than good anyway ) and cricketers combined. I am planning to groom my 2 year old son to become a tennis player and you guys are definitely an inspiration. Try your best for a Doubles GrandSlam and please keep your partnership going forever. All of us ( including yourselves ) may not be able to cherish it as much if you won these with any other player. Good luck at Wimbledon. Thanks, Sunny Koka. |
| Name: Prasenjit
Basu
Website: Referred by: NewsGroups From: Time: 1999-06-07 01:49:57 Comments: CONGRATULATIONS Leander and Mahesh. Now that you are #1, here's wishing that you emerge as the greatest doubles pair of the next decade -- and succeed Newcombe/Roche (who are probably just ahead of McEnroe/Fleming, Woodies and Eltingh/Haarhuis) as the greatest doubles pair of all time. Many happy returns of today, Mahesh, and of the 17th, Leander. Prasenjit Basu Singapore (formerly of CC&FC, Calcutta, where I first saw LP play as a pre-teen who was already destined for greatness in the view of the local markers) |
| Name: Devendra
Shastri
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: USA Time: 1999-06-07 00:39:03 Comments: Thank you LP-MB. We indians need something desperately to cheer about and you provided just that. Thank you very much. Deven |
| Name: Dr.
B. Bhushan Sharma, M.D.
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Tulsa, USA Time: 1999-06-06 22:01:04 Comments: Congratulations, LP-MB!!!!! What a way to show the world that the best doubles team comes from India. There is no one better than LP-MB on the clay courts, and our duo will rule the French, Italian, and other clay court championships for a long time. The championships on the grass and hard courts will soon follow. The Bengal Tiger and the Karnataka King have tasted "blood" and there is no stopping for them now. Our prayers and best wishes will always be with LP-MB. |
| Name: Beepee
Website: Referred by: Net Search From: Auckland New Zealand Time: 1999-06-06 21:53:54 Comments: Leander & Mahesh We are all proud of your performance at French Open. We thought You had almost made it in the Aussy Open but your dtermination and hard work has paid off. We are sure you will perform a hat-trick with wins at Wimbledon & US Open. Hey guys keep up the good work. May this win strengthen your bond as a team. |
| Name: Raj
Srinivas
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-06 20:13:23 Comments: Bravo LP/MB!! I could see that you were destined for greatness, when I watched both of you play during the atlanta Olympics (against the woodies). You guys should aim go on from here to win a grand slam and the Sydney Olympic title. May the hard work and divine grace take you to higher echelons in the tennis world and in real life. |
| Name: Prakash
B. Hemdev
Website: Prakash's Home on the Web Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: USA Time: 1999-06-06 20:07:09 Comments: Many, many Congratulations, Lee & Hesh! I know for sure that, this is just the beginning of more to come! Wishing you the very best for all that is to come! |
| Name: Susan
Thomas
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-06-06 20:01:36 Comments: Great job guys! finally the dream has come true...u guys have won a grand slam. Huggggzzzzzzz...keep the good run going...waiting for u guys at the US open...Susan |
| Name: LpMbFan
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: sarasota, Fl Time: 1999-06-06 19:38:33 Comments: Congrats !!!! Bhupathi needs only the French Open singles title now to complete the treble. If Graf and Agassi can do it at 29 bhupathi has at least another 10 years ahead of him !!! after all he is the greatest player of all times...... |
| Name: Vikram
Kapur
Website: Referred by: AOL From: USA Time: 1999-06-06 18:24:01 Comments: Congrats Leander and Mahesh, Now concentrate on your singles careers and do the same thing in singles--we've waited too long for some success in singles--go for it now! |
| Name: Vinayagaraman
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: INDIA (Where else !!!) Time: 1999-06-06 16:52:58 Comments: Leander and Mahesh, I always knew that it was a matter of time before you two were on the top of the world. Stay there, crush the others and let's tell the world that we are the top. Great work, Guys. Vinayagaraman |
| Name: Sachin
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Delhi Time: 1999-06-06 16:32:34 Comments: You go boys ! So sweep the next two too and we'll talk again. Cograts India !!!!!!!!!!! |
| Name: Chidams
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Washington DC Time: 1999-06-06 16:09:15 Comments: CONGRATS Paes & Bhupathi !!! Make it in Wimbledon and US Open TOO !!! Chidams. |
| Name: Krishnan
Narayan
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Bangalore India and Plano TX Time: 1999-06-06 15:00:48 Comments: Mahesh and Leander, congratulations on a great job!! You guys must really be on top of the world now!! You must continue to set goals for this year and aim for the Grand Slam of doubles for next year. Nothing is guaranteed, but there is nowhere to go but up from this point on. Winning Wimby and the US Open should not be ruled out. As always, my best wishes to you guys; wish I could have been in Paris in person to witness this historic event. Best Regards, Krishnan L. Narayan (prof) |
| Name: R.
Jayakrishnan
Website: TennisIndia Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Kerala, now in the US Time: 1999-06-06 14:24:28 Comments: Wow .. Was that finished it style or what ? .. The "mad guys" didn't know what hit them today ! .. Huge congrats, Lee and Hesh !! .. Now let's help our foreign exchange reserves with a title at Wimbledon too ! --- Jay |
| Name: Mahesh
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: us Time: 1999-06-06 13:45:04 Comments: First Grand slam title. Great Job!! Here starts the DDs era........ |
| Name: Raj
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: IL Time: 1999-06-06 12:44:50 Comments: Congratulations to LP/MB for winning the French Open!! June 6th 1999 is a remarkable day for Indian Tennis!!! All of their hardwork, patience and perseverence paid off and they are truly "Numero Uno". |
| Name: paola
calderon
Website: tennis Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: net Time: 1999-06-03 21:26:13 Comments: I hope you guys win the french open I'm here in califonia and I get everything late Good luck!! love Paola calderon |
| Name: LpMbFan
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: sarasota, Fl Time: 1999-06-01 23:42:37 Comments: while everybody in this fanclub is busy cheering the losers, let me go ahead and wish the winners all the best. All the best to the Indian cricket team - may their achievements inspire losers like LP and MB to step into the **real** (read **singles**) world and do something of note before they retire !! |
| Name: Raj
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Kottayam Time: 1999-05-15 14:38:20 Comments: GET WELL SOON LEE!!!!:-) |
| Name: Damy
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Swede Time: 1999-05-10 20:28:50 Comments: Hi! This is a great site! I usually go here every week! Keep up the good work!!! Cheers!!! My site: "TENNIS CLASSICS" http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Bay/8174/IndexClas1.html |
| Name: jb
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-05-07 12:53:51 Comments: ... but not this year. |
| Name: jb
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-05-07 12:51:59 Comments: They have won plenty of ATP titles outside India aswell. |
| Name: SHAH,
KAMAL
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Stuttgart, Germany Time: 1999-05-06 11:30:52 Comments: Hi, I am looking into your website for the last two years. As a great fan of indian Tennis, especially of Bhupathi and Paes, I am unable to receive any results from the german newspaper let alone from the videotext on T.V. Therefore was searching through yahoo.com and finally found your website. Hopefully our dudes will make it to the finals and win their first ATP doubles out of India this year. With every best wish Kamal |
| Name: Paola
calderon
Website: tennis Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Indio Time: 1999-05-04 22:05:00 Comments: I would like to see more pictures of Maheshe's coach Will Upton love, paula |
| Name: paola
calderon
Website: Referred by: From a Web Ring From: la Quinta Time: 1999-04-28 18:23:00 Comments: need more pictures or leander and mahes's coach "Will" pictures plese |
| Name: Shanti
Oleti
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Auburn, AL Time: 1999-04-27 15:24:04 Comments: Hi, This is a great site, would you please send me Leander's email address. I have been looking for it since a long time. You are doing on wonderful job in maintaining this page. It gives us a lot of pleasure knowing all this inspite of being away from home. Please do send their eamil addresses. Thanks a lot for this site. Thanks, Shanti |
| Name: Shanti
Oleti
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Auburn, AL Time: 1999-04-27 15:23:49 Comments: Hi, This is a great site, would you please send me Leander's email address. I have been looking for it since a long time. You are doing on wonderful job in maintaining this page. It gives us a lot of pleasure knowing all this inspite of being away from home. Please do send their eamil addresses. Thanks a lot for this site. Thanks, Shanti |
| Name: Shanti
Oleti
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Auburn, AL Time: 1999-04-27 15:21:46 Comments: Hi, This is a great site, would you please send me Leander's email address. I have been looking for it since a long time. You are doing on wonderful job in maintaining this page. It gives us a lot of pleasure knowing all this inspite of being away from home. Please do send their eamil addresses. Thanks a lot for this site. Thanks, Shanti |
| Name: Krishna
Website: Chennai Checkings Referred by: Yahoo! From: Chennai aka Madras Time: 1999-04-21 06:11:22 Comments: Guys, or gals whoever is behind this: good job. This is something I always wanted to have. If I had the time, I would have done a site myself. Well, I always wondered why the hell everyone else from every other country talk of their homestars big or small, good or mediocre...and used to think we don't even have killer instinct even here - we don't have packagers. Well, u disprove me. Thanx. Meanwhile, how about adding pages on Srinath and Fazaluddin? I guess, Fazal is pretty good and needs a good partner to play with and that way, soon, provided LP and Hesh hold more consistency on-court, we shall have two crack doubles team at the top. I guess, like the Woodies did at some point, Hesh and Lee have to make a decision to stick to doubles and only doubles, that way, more Open victories can come, assert their dominance absolutely, and then focus a little as well on singles. At least Mark Woody did that and succeeded. Well, hope to hear from you guys shortly. Need any local help, don't hesitate to ask. |
| Name: jb
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Time: 1999-04-15 09:43:28 Comments: for : Record nr 71 : you are right ! Pete Sampras pulled out of the Barcelona Open today because of an aching back. Sampras, No. 1 in the world rankings, reinjured his lower back during a doubles match Tuesday night. He had been scheduled to play his first singles match today, against fellow American Vincent Spadea, and the stands at center court were all sold out. Sampras said he also was pulling out of next week's Monte Carlo Open. "It's my own fault. It was quite cold last night and I didn't go out WARMED UP," Sampras said. "I felt it move on a serve. It's acute lumbago. It spasmed on me last night and this morning. "I have had the same problem in the past. The important thing is rest, and hopefully in seven to 10 days I can start to do things. Without your health you don't have anything and that is my livelihood." |
| Name: Luke
Danker
Website: The Asian Players of Tennis Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Australia Time: 1999-04-12 06:13:51 Comments: Please visit my website above and good luck Nirupama! |
| Name: shankar
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Lubbock, TX Time: 1999-04-11 23:21:53 Comments: CONGRATULATIONS! to the Indian Express for their 13th title at chennai at the GOLD FLAKE and making it a hatrick of titles at the site. GO Hesh and Lee!! get a grand slam now!! |
| Name: deepa
bagla
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: calcutta Time: 1999-04-05 15:17:53 Comments: congratulations to the entire indian team on winning the davis cup tie against china so convincingly. wishing them all the best for the gold flake at chennai. i feel very sad that inspite of performing so well, the indian tennis stars do not get as much importance as the indian cricketers.hope things do change for the better for indian tennis. |
| Name: Dr.
B. Bhushan Sharma, M.D.
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: USA Time: 1999-04-05 03:28:05 Comments: I may not know the real reason why some people are asking for Jaideep Mukherjea to quit as the Davis Cup coach, but I am surprised that he made Leander Paes play the fifth match against China instead of letting Prahlad Srinath get some Davis Cup experience. Playing against the Chinese on grass court in the fifth match will not help Leander prepare for the Chennai Open. Even if Prahlad had lost to the Chinese player it would not have made a difference in the outcome of the Davis Cup tie. And who knows, Prahlad could have won the match and the score would still have been 5-0 in India's favor. |
| Name: Krishnan
L Narayan
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In From: Bangalore India and Plano TX Time: 1999-04-04 05:56:23 Comments: Jay, Just read your comments on the wildcard fiasco at the Chennai Open. The only thing that really works in situations like this is a lawsuit. If a clear-cut case of discrimination can be made ( and I am sure it can if we take a look at what is being done in similar tournaments around the world) then there could be a case for legal action. The ATP Tour, in particular, might start looking at the Chennai open more closely once they hear about a potential lawsuit....... Rgds, prof |