Those endless rallies of my life

It’s been almost nine years since I started playing this breathtaking sport. It was just a mere twist of fate that I was made to hold that racket and stand in front of a table which rose almost to my chest. I had to run like the lawn tennis guys to control the ball with a racket that I found quite weighty. I didn’t know why I was being indulged into it but all I was told was to keep the ball on the table as long as I could and put it in the correct areas. Now you can visualize what a heck of a task it would be for a guy who is merely eleven to place the ball in right areas. I couldn’t even spot all areas of the table forget placing the ball. Day in and day out I held the racket in my hand committed to hit the ball which at most times went out or went on the net.

I had given everything and it was this time probably when God realized that I had worked hard enough to deserve a breakthrough into the thick of this sport. As the length of counters and rallies increased so did my interest exponentially and people realized that a player was in making. With the coach that I got I came to know that it was no longer a mere game for me. I knew I had the flair that could take me far, thereby leaving my school and studies out-of-the-way all I used to do was practice. My coach brought  all the technicalities into my game. He taught me everything, from moving the feet, the body to getting more spin in my loops just like a father does for his child right from the moment he learns to stand till he is able to walk. Soon I was a complete package who could judge the spin in the ball even before it was hit from the racket of the opponent and was in position earlier than anyone could imagine. Life was easy for me as I rose as a player; I practiced hard and got results right away.

Now was the time to play the first big tournament of my life. I was thirteen and it was the state ranking tournament at the Talkatora Stadium. Never in my life had I seen such a big indoor stadium and the talent that existed inside it was immense. The level of Table Tennis being played inside that stadium was right up to make me nervous regarding my own position in this tournament. Delhi has always been one of the top states in producing national level players and I had this in my sub conscious mind. Despite all this that confidence was always my strength because I had played well the entire season and was one of the favorites to reach at least the quarter final round. I lived up to the expectations of everyone and didn’t lose a match before I was confronted with a defensive player in quarters. It was the first time I had seen a defensive player in my life and hence lost in straight sets to him.

However before this happened I had done enough to get a ranking for myself. Till the age of fourteen I played almost all state level tournaments and was able to retain my ranking throughout. It was not as easy as reading these two lines sound. I had to give it all to stay abreast the competition from a variety of players throughout Delhi. However it was at fifteen that I had to make a choice between continuing my rallies on table or to pick up books and start another journey of my life. I decided to go with the later and if any of you blame me for taking this decision then I would pass on this guilt to the Indian Government who just hasn’t created enough opportunities for the players in any game save cricket.

However I personally blame no one for my resolution because it was that decision that landed me into the most prestigious institutions of this country. I don’t feel I would have been as successful if I would have continued playing table tennis for the rest of my life. Still no day goes when I don’t think about this amazing sport, I still love the smell of my racket like I did six years back.