Occasion sombre and the task uphill for India

By Nirmal Shekar

WINSTON-SALEM, OCT. 11. A month ago, today, everything changed. As terrorists on suicide missions flew high octane fuel-laden airplanes into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington on September 11, at once many of the old certainties in many areas of human activity were blown to pieces. Even the most incurable of romantics would agree that sport - however insulated it may appear as a fantasy world-away- from-the-real-world - too has changed in many ways, not the least in the way many of us look at it, in the place that we allot it in our list of priorities, to say the least.

Some familiar old definitions are passe; new meanings are offered and accepted. Suddenly, the reason for playing and the reason for wanting to win appear to go beyond the mundane... beyond mere enjoyment and money.

``There is a little extra incentive this weekend. Certainly there will be more emotion. I think the guys in the team understand that these are special circumstances and we are going to compete hard and proud to be Americans,'' said Patrick McEnroe, the non- playing captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team that takes on India at the Joel Coliseum here from Friday to Sunday (October 12 to 14) in the World Group qualifying round tie.

Special incentive, more emotion... of course. And, then, the flip side. ``We understand that it is a tennis match, not the be all and end all, when you look at it from the grand perspective,'' said McEnroe.

A great tragedy can make even sportsmen look at the larger picture. And, in a way, what McEnroe was alluding to was that the crucial tie was everything, and yet, nothing. Which, of course, is what sport has always been, in the ultimate analysis.

For another set of people, too, this tie means everything and nothing.

``You know, you guys must understand. These are very difficult times for us Indians here. There has been some backlash. If we are not vociferous in cheering for you, please do understand,'' said a local Indian community leader who hosted a dinner for the visiting team members on Wednesday night.

What the Indian businessman meant was simple: these are difficult circumstances for immigrants who have faced ethnic bias - the average American doesn't know the difference between people from the Middle East and ones from South Asia, not to speak of the difference between Indians and Pakistanis - following the September 11 attacks and they would much rather not cheer against the Americans.

Ah, how a single tragic incident can bring new equations into sport!

But, then, new equations or old, sport goes on. And India faces the formidable task of trying to make some impression on a well- prepared American team spearheaded by Andy Roddick, a team whose members will wear their hearts on their sleeves out on the court.

``This is as tough as it gets. But if you want to play in the World Group, you have to earn your place. We will try and do the best we can,'' said Ramesh Krishnan, non-playing captain of the Indian team.

Harsh Mankad gets the nod

Ramesh has decided to play the new-and- improved Harsh Mankad as his second singles player which means Mahesh Bhupathi will figure only in Saturday's doubles rubber.

Mankad last played for India in Sweden in July 2000, also in a play-off tie at Bastad at a time when Leander Paes was unavailable because of an injury. The young man did not make much of an impression on clay there but he has made some strides since and has looked pretty sharp in practice here this week.

How Mankad will match up against Andy Roddick and Co. is another question. But Ramesh does not have too many choices, given the quality of the bench strength that India commands.

``This is another opportunity for him. At this level, you don't get too many such opportunities. It is up to him to make the best of it,'' said Ramesh.

Paes, of course, is - as he has been for the best part of 12 years - the main source of strength for India. But the one worry when it comes to the Indian Davis Cup hero is that he has not played much tennis over the last several weeks.

``But, you know, I have been in these situations before. I always get charged up for Davis Cup and I am going to go out there and do my best,'' said Paes.

Paes has a job on hand

The Atlanta Olympic bronze medallist has not lost a single Cup rubber this year but from China and Japan to the mighty United States is a huge leap and the experienced Paes has a job on his hands.

To be sure, India's best chance of winning a rubber will come on Saturday in the doubles. But there, again, Jared Palmer and Donald Johnson are a very, very tough pair. They have done wonderfully well together this year and it is not at all going to be easy to get past them, no matter that Paes and Bhupathi are accomplished champions.

For the home team, the focus is largely on Andy Roddick who has recovered well from a foot injury and has looked very, very good in practice.

``I am 100 per cent ready to go. This is what I have been waiting for. I am here for my country and that makes me feel really good,'' said Roddick.``It is one of the greatest honours in sport to be asked to play for your country.''

Patrick McEnroe, for his part, not only believes that Roddick would play a key role in his team's success this weekend but would go on to play a pivotal part in America's possible successes next year should they win this tie.

``With the way Andy has stepped up his game and with the guys we have, I really feel we have a chance to win the Davis Cup (in 2002),'' said McEnroe.

When you are playing at home with in-form players on the team and against a side that does not have a single player in the top 200, you can afford to look as far ahead as McEnroe does.

As for Ramesh, Paes and Co., they would much rather take it one rubber at a time. Make that one set, even!

The United States has won all its previous six ties against India. The last one was played at New Delhi in 1994, when Jim Courier - Assistant Coach of the team here - and Todd Martin led the American team to a 5-0 whitewash of the home side.

This, to be sure, is a more sombre occasion. And Patrick McEnroe and his boys have decided to pool their winnings and donate $100,000 to the September 11 Relief Fund.

Play begins at 2 p.m. (11.30 p.m. IST) on all three days. Alan Mills, Chief Referee at Wimbledon, will be the chief referee for this tie.

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