From Glorious Past to Vanishing Present
In a candid conversation, tennis legend Jaidip Mukerjea reminisces about the bygone era when the sport was synonymous with “lawn tennis.” Today, however, apart from a fleeting glimpse during the Wimbledon fortnight, grass-court tennis in India has become a relic of the past. Mukerjea reflects on the Davis Cup tie between India and Denmark, a rare occasion when the lush green lawns of Delhi Gymkhana Club hosted a match, breathing life into the nearly extinct practice of this elegant and strategic style of play.
A Century Ago: Grass Courts and Tennis Royalty in India
Delving into history, the article traces the roots of grass-court tennis in India, highlighting the All India Lawn Tennis Association’s formation and the hosting of national championships exclusively on grass. The narrative unfolds with a rich tapestry of champions—Sumant Misra, Ramanathan Krishnan, Roy Emerson, Ilie Nastase, Premjit Lal, Vijay Amritraj, Ramesh Krishnan, and Mukerjea himself—who graced the Indian grass courts. The meticulously organized domestic circuit, boasting tournaments in cities like Amritsar, Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Allahabad, and Jaipur, paints a vivid picture of tennis flourishing on natural surfaces.
South Club: A Special Slice of Tennis Paradise
Kolkata’s South Club emerges as a focal point in this tennis odyssey, with 12 natural green courts rivaling Wimbledon’s allure. Interviews with Bengal Tennis Association CEO Sujoy Ghosh add a personal touch, recounting memories of towel-marked courtsides and witnessing legends like Roy Emerson and Ramanathan Krishnan in action. The article captures the essence of an era when stepping onto the South Club’s court was a privilege and a spectacle for tennis enthusiasts.
Davis Cup Triumphs and Grass-Court Glory
The narrative takes an exciting turn as it explores Indian players’ triumphs on grass in Davis Cup encounters. From the historic 1966 inter-zonal final against Brazil to the iconic clash with Pakistan at Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India, grass courts witnessed some of India’s red-letter moments. Anecdotes from Bengal Tennis Association CEO Sujoy Ghosh shed light on the meticulous preparations, including Leander Paes seeking a gardener’s expertise to tailor the grass surface for a pivotal tie against Pakistan.
Changing Times: The Decline of Grass-Court Tennis
The article then navigates through the shifting landscape of tennis, both globally and in India. The advent and popularity of all-weather hard courts, coupled with the high maintenance costs of grass courts, mark the decline of this traditional form of the game. Interviews with current players like Yuki Bhambri highlight the challenges of adapting to grass, especially with Wimbledon’s courts evolving to a slower pace.
A Global Shift: From Serve-and-Volley to Baseline Dominance
Tennis legend Mukerjea reflects on the evolution of the game, noting the shift from serve-and-volley on grass to baseline dominance. He expresses a sense of longing for the classic grass-court style while acknowledging the inevitable changes in the sport.
Conclusion: Grass-Court Tennis in India—A Fading Symphony
The article concludes with a poignant realization that grass-court tennis in India, except for sporadic Davis Cup ties, is on the verge of extinction. Quotes from tennis enthusiasts, including Bengal Tennis Association CEO Sujoy Ghosh, emphasize the need to cherish Wimbledon as the annual rendezvous for grass-court tennis lovers and hold onto the memories of a bygone era when the sport thrived on the natural elegance of grass courts.
