Trailing So What?

Markéta Vondroušová, the new Wimbledon Women's Champion seems to fit the title of our story.

With all odds against her, she went on to win the Final on the famous Centre Court on 15th July. And shocked her opponent Ons Jabeur from Tunisia. What were the odds against her:

• First unseeded player to reach Wimbledon Final after Billie Jean King in 1963.
• Pitted in the final against sixth seeded Ons Jabeur 
• Suffered a wrist injury which kept her off-court for seven months
• Down 0-2 in the first set

So how did Marketa overcome the odds? Those who saw the final earlier this evening, would have observed the following:

1. Keep your cool. She double faulted more than once. But bounced back. She kept her cool.
2. Fight back. Jabeur broke Marketa's serve many times. But instead of giving up, she crawled back. One shot at a time, one game at a time. Steadily. Talking about fighting back, even Jabeur mentioned that 'I will come back again to win this tournament'.
3. Play your game. Don't get unnerved by the opponent's stature or seeding. Play your game.
4. Emotional Strength does it. Keeping emotional balance is the hallmark of great players. We have seen it in Federer. We saw it in Marketa today.
5. Injured, so what? Her wrist injury did not deter her. She allowed it to heal for a season. Lost a year, so what? She came back. It shows her faith in her team.

It was an exciting match. Unpredictable to say the least. Ghumakkad enjoyed watching it. Pictures here are courtesy Star Sports and Tata Play.

Packed Centre Court

'Most painful loss of my career. But I will come back to win this', Ons Jabeur

1st Anniversary gift by Vondrousova to her husband.

The Venus Rosewater Dish- Wimbledon Women's Trophy since 1888.

On completion of the French Open Women's Final in June 23, we had brought you a story titled 'Acknowledging the Team Work'. Do browse it if you haven't.

After watching Wimbledon-22 Men's Final which Joko had won, we had shared a story titled 'Wimbledon-22 Beyond Tennis'. That story had also brought out some of the observations made tonight. Do browse if you haven't so far.

Some friends have remarked 'Do you watch the TV or the movies for fun or for writing a story?' Well, if I do observe a scene or event which brings out some life lessons, I like to share it with others. Hope such 'live' coverage does not bore you. If it does, do tell us.

I firmly believe in 'Learning Together' as depicted in my logo below.

Thanks for browsing.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Neeta Bhargava/ Secunderabad/ 15th July 2023

#wimbledon #womensfinal2023 #marketavondrousova #onsjabeur #lifelessons #keepingcool #fighback #playyourgame #emotionalstrength #trailingsowhat #presson #ghumakkdharsh #ghumakkadhb

Seventy is Like Seven

As I entered the 70th year, it felt like the 7th! Why, what is the similarity?

When you are seven, you have lost a tooth or two. So it is at 70- you have lost a few teeth already!

When you are seven, you initially shy away giving a toothless smile. But soon you get used to it. So it is at 70- you don't come out for few days after you lose the front teeth. But soon you get used to it!

When you are seven, you love chatting with friends all day. At 70 you do non-stop talking, even though others may not like it.

When you are seven, you have few friends with whom you go out to play regularly. So it is at 70- few regular morning walkers or golf foursome or bridge partners!

When you are seven, you hold on to your old toys. So it is at 70- you become a big hoarder of 'junk' possessions. Ask any spouse of a 70-year old, and you see the reaction!

When you are seven, you develop dislikes for some foods or vegetables. So it is at 70- you hate many eatables or the way it is prepared.

When you are seven, you like to show off your new acquisitions- a watch, sun shades, or even a new colouring set. So it is at 70- you like to display your new golf set or a walking stick or a new phone!

When you are seven, you are very proud of your school. So it is at 70- grandparents never get tired narrating the proud tales of their school or college!

When you are seven, you love watching cartoons on TV or phone or computer. So it is at 70- we never miss the daily cartoon strips in the newspaper!

When you are mid way to being seven, you say I am six-and-a-half! So it is at 70- we oldies say sixty-nine-and-a-half!

So now you tell me whether entering the 70th is same as entering the 7th year of youthful life or not! No wonder it is said that 'Old age is second childhood!'

Happy days are ahead! Days of exploration, sharing and reflection. I am reminded of an old saying 'What is important is not to add years to your life but to add life to your years!'

What do you do to herald the 70th year? You peel a pile of peas! See the picture below.

As if on cue, I got a gift from the Nature. Four Brahma Kamal flowers bloomed tonight. As some of the readers will know, it blooms at night. Give or take few days, it synchronises the blooming with full moon. Just three days ago we had the full moon. And voila, the blooms arrived by magic. Picture of one of the flowers before and after blooming, is shown below. Readers may browse the detailed story on Brahma Kamal here.

Our gratitude to God, family and friends for smooth sailing so far. Thank you for being a part of my life.

    - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 3rd Jan 2021

#70th #enteringthe70thyear #sevenandseventy #7and70 #lifebeginsnow #childhood #oldage #addinglifetoyears #childlike #keepgoing #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh #stopcounting #gratitude #blessings