The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A different ball game for Nadal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 04, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A different ball game for Nadal

Staff Reporter

Krishnamachari Srikkanth plays coach and cheerleader

ENTERTAINING SESSION: Rafael Nadal tries his hand at cricket as former cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth looks on. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: Even before the match, the Nungambakkam stadium Centre Court was busy. The agenda was to get the annual `tennis player learns to bat from former cricketer' photo.

The media assembled at the venue, and Krishnamachari Srikkanth exchanged pleasantries with young Karan Rastogi, who would be bowling a few balls.

Star attraction

But attentions were directed elsewhere — a bare-chested Rafael Nadal was practising on the court with his doubles partner.

Once that was done, an excited Srikkanth made everyone shift to the right half of the court, as Rafa, as he is known, is left-handed. After everyone dragged their equipment and placed themselves strategically, Rafa took the bat and said, "I play the right hand". As collective chuckles and groans went around, he said, "Oh, s'okay, I play the left hand."

Smashing display

And play he did. The first ball bowled by Karan went straight into the stands. Then Rafa missed a few.

But the final ball was smashed high into the stands. "That one's called a sixer, boys!" yelled Srikkanth with his hands raised above his head like a conquering hero.

Overheard: As way of small talk, Srikkanth telling Nadal that he has a tennis court at his house.

Vijay, a Rolex user

India's former tennis star Vijay Amritraj says he still uses a Rolex President watch that he won about 30 years ago at a tournament.

As brand ambassador of the high-end company, he was wearing another President model, a flashy top-of-the-range gold.

"The strange thing is that I only wore Rolex, even before I become a brand ambassador two-and-a-half years ago," said Vijay, looking around the Taj Corommandel Rolex outlet on Wednesday.

He was waiting for Fabrice Santoro of France, who would participate in a Rolex promotion.

A sinewy, tanned Santoro entered without much fanfare, went straight to the counter and put his arm around Amritraj's waist, looked confidently at the cameras and smiled.

No talking required.

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