Homage

The tributes have been puring in for a few months now. Here is a collection of my personal favourites...

1) Wimbledon, where you suspect they do not clear the cobwebs for the sake of leaving the old as it is, took a page out of the book of common sense (borrowed, obviously)/suspected a soccer style riot by the gentlemen and ladies/were moved to tears that their beloved champion was leaving forever (take your pick), interviewed Andre courtside at the end of his match with Nadal. First time ever that they conducted a court side interview. Boy, do they pick their moments!

2) "Beacon of success both on and off the court"

3) A record crowd of 23,736 packed into Arthur Ashe stadium for the first night of the Open to watch Andre play Pavel. At match point, the entire stadium stood up! The tradition continued through his matches with Baghdatis and B.Becker.

4) At the end of another timeless classic, Baghdatis says "He is more than a legend"....repeatedly!

5) B.Becker serving 5-4 for the third set. His shot hits the net and drops right next to it. Andre, who was struggling with his back and giving up on drop shots through the match, sensed the moment, and willed himself to reach it. Not only did he get there, but also managed to place it well, which the outstretched Becker hit wide. 23,712 rose and delivered. After a whole minute, the commentator goes "They can't salute him loud enough!"

6) After he played his last point, the crowd rose in unison....actually, they were already up....and thundered their appreciation for their beloved hero. They stopped when Andre took the mike from Mary Joe (kudos to her for doing the right thing!) and delivered a heartwarming rendition of a farewell speech, at the end of which, they started again and continued unabated until Andre decided to leave the court.

7) At the same time, on the adjacent Louis Armstong court, where Safin and Nalbandian were in the midst of the 5th set of their titanic duel, the crowd rose and gave Andre a standing ovation.

8) With his heart in his mouth, Andre told us "The scoreboard says I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. Over the last 21 years I have found loyalty; you have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I have found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed, sometimes even in my lowest moments. And I have found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams; dreams I could never have reached without you. Over the the last 21 years I have found you and I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life"

9) Quotes:-

• James Blake - "We all owe a little debt of gratitude for what he's done because he's transcended the sport to become an international superstar, more so than any other tennis player over the last 20 years"
• Lindsay Davenport - "In the last 20 years, he's been the most important person we've had in our sport.He's beloved. Not many players become what he has become" (Do I put the entire quote in bold?)
  
• Andy Murray - "I think 50 or 60% of people in the locker room were probably in tears as well and were holding it back. I know I was. I'm sure all tennis players would love to have the respect that he has from all the players and the fans. Everybody loved him anywhere he went"
• Serena Williams - "I think the game is going to miss him more than probably they miss anyone"
  

Notwithstanding all these moments and quotes, a literary creation was essential to bid farewell to the fan's ultimate champion. Enter Jun....a friend with no track record of expertise in this area.....
(if any congratulatory messages need to be sent to Jun, please let me know)

Yet another icon
Not spared the ageing muscles
Shown the door
To a whole new world where the surface ain't grass or clay...just another plain floor
Head bowed you said the scoreboard says I am not the winner,
Champion you are a complete winner!
Hearts wept as you left the arena,
You left only the arena!


Complete winner you are! You only are!!!

[courtesy: No Man's Land]