This is the effects of watching The Australian Open before going to sleep, and then watching it again when you wake up.
The sun shone over the hundreds of people gathered in Melbourne Park, some sat at the big screen TV in Garden Square watching there favourite Tennis Stars playing the game of their lives. Some made there way into Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena for the afternoon's games. While others just strolled around from the Caf to ticket sales or to the Tram Stop to get back into the City.
It was named the Worlds Biggest Stage, The Australian Open; hundreds of tennis players from all over the world came to Melbourne to start the years Tennis Tournament Season of. The Atmosphere all over the park is what Melbourne was known for, a fantastic day out and the time of your lives.
The first afternoon's game started of in Margaret Court with American Riddhima Gupta playing Dutch Abigail Wozniacki, As the players made their way out onto the court Channel 7 news reporter Jo Hanley
Went to interview them before the game began.
Dressed in a white tennis skirt with a matching sea green tennis top, white Nike shoes and white Nike sweatband on her left wrist. He pulled up into a tight pony-tail with silver studs in her ear holes she smiled as she saw Joe. "Good Afternoon Riddhima'" "afternoon' " she said, her American accent present "playing world number 11 Abigail Wozniacki there must be butterflies in your stomach?" she gave a little giggle, "yes' no denying it.. But I'm looking forward to the game.. It will be a interesting game'" "well good luck.." "thanks.." she said walking towards the entrance.
World Number 11 Abigail Wozniacki walked towards Jo, dressed in a dark green tennis skirt with matching top, her known good luck charm hung on her neck and Wilson Tennis bag over her shoulder, "Abigail how do you think you're going to go today?" "well like Riddhima said it's going to be interesting' she's been classified as the under-dog and we've trained a lot' but lets leave it to how we actually play today'" Jo nodded in agreement, "well.. Good luck for the game then.." 'thanks' she mumbled under her breath as she made her way to the arena.
2 hours later, the score was pretty much even; first set was won by Abigail 6-5, second set 6-4 by Riddhima and in the last set both were equal at 5-5. Riddhima served hitting the ball into Abigails court as she hit back they went for a rally, as the ball went to the far left side of the court Riddhima ran stretching her racket out to make the ball hit the string. Unbelievably as it was, she hit the ball and it bounced straight across the court into the first quarter of the right hand side of Abigails side.
To late to hit the ball Riddhima got that point bringing it to 40-15, one more point and she would win the match. Qualifying for the semi finals in 2 days time.
As she served again, the ball hit the net counting as a fault. Serving again Abigail hit back and again into a rally. Bad luck for Riddhima, Abigail scored then next 2 point bringing it to Deuce; 40-40. it was either lose or win at this point, it was in either players hands, as Riddhima served it was an ace getting the score to 40-Adv, if Riddhima won this point then she would win the match, if not it would go back to deuce.
It happened like that for a while, either Abigail would win the point and bring it to 40-Adv for her, then Riddhima would win the point back. It was like a never ending game, exactly 4 minutes later the game was in Riddhima's advantage, as she served it was an ace and automatically she dropped to her knee's holding her head in her hands as she let go of the racket letting it fall to the ground.
She was into the semi-finals, something she had dreamed of not something she actually thought would happen.
As she shook Abigail and the umpires hands she made her way over to her bags, and sat down again holding her head into her hands in shock.
Making her way over to Jo, who stood with micro-phone in her hand she smiled as she saw Riddhima. Dropping her tennis bag to the ground she looked at Jo with a smile plastered on her face.
"Congratulations for this win' in the last set did you think it would ever happen?" asked Jo, "no' not at all' but when something like that happens you get frustrated' but Abigail put up a great game today.. And I thank her for that.." Jo nodded, "yes' well it's been a tough 3 years for you' I think this win makes it all worth it' did you ever think that you'd be playing at the Australian Open semi-finals?" "Never! And yes it's been hard.. Struggling to get into form and getting to where I am today.. But it's all worth it now' " "yep' good luck for the next round.. And have a rest for the next 2 days'" "thank you'" Riddhima said with a smile, picking up her bag she walked over to the edges where the audience stood handing down things hopefully to get an autograph for the 'under-dog' of the women's tennis this season.
The crowds cheered as the 2 players walked out onto the courts into Rod Laver Arena, for the men's first afternoon match'.
Part 2:
The crowds cheered as the 2 players walked out onto the courts into Rod Laver Arena, for the men's first afternoon match, world number 7 Andy Gale from Great Brittain v. rank number 54 Armaan Malik from India.
It was a surprise for many that Armaan Malik from India was in the quarter finals, this game was the qualifier for the semi-finals, not many Indians had made it to this stage in history and he was a first. For the past 5 years he had been coming to the open, always getting one step closer to the finals, it was all a mixture of luck and the strength inside him to keep coming back for that goal at the end of the road. He was known for his hard training regime, his focus and his ability to play his best no matter which game it be; from round one to the qualifiers he was a favourite role model for those struggling players.
Great Brittan's Andy Gale was known for his attitude and his skill, once world number one he had held the Australian Open trophy 3 times. Due to some personal problems he left the game, 2 years later he was back and fighting everything to get back into the spot he once held.
As the game started in Armaan's favour, but Andy didn't stop fighting he hit back giving Armaan a run for his money.
1 hour and 15 minutes later, armaan had won the first set 6-3; as the second set went on both tried their hardest. Andy couldn't believe that he was losing to a rank number 54, his anger was burning up inside him and occasionally he let it lose on the ball boys or the umpire when he gave the decision of an out or fault when Andy served. He's blood boiled every time Armaan scored a point and maybe this was what was letting him down.
Armaan looked at the score board for nearly the tenth time as he sat on the chair holding his bottle of water, he was into the semi-finals. Was it all true? Had he beat world number 7, in a mater of 2 hours he had "thrashed" Andy Gale. He felt like he was on cloud 9, he was one step closer to the finals, he was here to beat all odds that India just wasn't a country of cricket, it had much more talent then what met the eye.
He made his way over to Todd Hitchner, who had been commentating earlier throughout the game and was going to interview him now. "Armaan' honestly' not many of us thought that you would get here today'" "neither did i.." he said laughing as the crowd joined him, "how does it feel? After so many years, your finally that literally one step closer into the finals' you must be over-joyed' not only you but the millions of people in India'" armaan nodded in agreement as he ran his fingers through his hair, "yes' it wasn't only my dream.. To be able to compete against the world's best players but I think it was a dream for India's population'" "well' to let you know.. The crowd will always be behind you' have a good 2 days rest and we'll see you on he court again in 2 nights time'" "thank you.." he said, lifting his hand up in the air to thank the crowd, as he got his stuff he took of his sweat bands on his hand and forehead and threw it into the crowd and memorabilia.
He walked through to the change rooms, where stood his coach; tears in both there eyes they hugged each other in congratulations. "you've done the whole India proud Armaan'" said Coach Jones, Coach Jones had seen the talent in Armaan when he was in India on a tour, originally Coach Jones was from France he had once coached world number 5 Tommy Ames. "it's all because of you' do you think anyone in India would have given a damn about tennis?... No one had the guts' I am what I am because of you' and you're faith.." said Armaan sitting down on the bench next to the lockers, Coach Jones looked at him with a faint smile; "don't get all senti now.. c'mon have a show we have a press conference to go to.." armaan nodded, grabbing the towel and heading for the showers.
As they sat in front of around 20 reporters, camera's flickered and recorders were turned on. Armaan and Coach Jones sat on the table facing the reporters for the set of questions that nearly every tennis player had to go through before retiring for the day in there rooms.
"how does a rank number 54 beat a world number 7?" asked a mid-40 something year old man sitting in the middle row, dressed in a lose polo shirt and faded jeans. "luck.. Strategy' skill' and a cool mind'" said Armaan, "cool mind?" put in another reporter, "I stayed calm.. I didn't get worked up if the opposition scored a point' or even if when I hit the ball it went out'" "so that's your strategy' stay calm and you win?" asked the same reporter, armaan chuckled shaking his head, "if that's what you call it then yes'" the reporters joined him in that laugh, later continuing with there questions.
Nearly 2 hours later, he sat in his hotel room dressed in a white t-shirt and black Nike shorts. Leaning against the head board of the bed, he recalled some moments from the game today. There were times when he felt like giving up honestly, he sometimes got so tired of trying to prove something to the world that in some games he lost that passion inside him.
He's eyes caught a face on the TV, it was seed number 19 Riddhima Gupta at the press conference after her winning game. Highlights were shown from her game, her smile struck his mind yet he picked up the remote and
Immediately turned the TV off...
Part 3:
Night had fallen over the city as the moon came up, so did the paparazzi and the media people. KIA motors who were one of the official sponsors for the open had thrown a large players party. All the players who were participating in the Open this year were invited to the party in Docklands.
Walking the red carpet; was Armaan dressed in black suit pants, light blue pinstriped shirt which had been rolled up to his elbows. Giving his killer smile to the photographers he made his way down the carpet and into the room where the rest of the guest were.
Getting a drink in his hand he leaned against the framing of the bar, some players he knew some he didn't. some dance while some talked away. He just kept looking around, neither talking nor dancing, hearing the sound of heels click against the floor he turned his head to the side to see Riddhima walking towards him dressed in a blue and black dress, with black pumps and a silver and blue matching bracelet.
"well well' isn't it India's tennis version of Sachin Tendulkar.. The much loved Armaan Malik'" said Riddhima, as she stood beside him, he looked at her and took a sip of his drink "nice to meet you Riddhima.." he said meeting her eyes, "same here.. I've heard a lot about you' congratulations of the win yesterday'" he laughed, " I hope there all good things' and congratulations to you too'" "of course.. Though I must admit I'd never though it was possible for you to achieve what you have achieved'" "you must have focus' you must believe' don't give up and walk away'" he said waving to someone who was calling him, he left his glass on the bar bench also leaving a confused Riddhima behind.
The music played in the background, flooding out the voices of the people who chose not to dance; Riddhima spinned around, unsure of whose arm's she was to fall into know. Feeling a hard grip around her waist she looked up to see Armaan dancing with her, he didn't seem to pleased "I don't understand.. What do you mean by not giving up and walking away.." she said waiting for an answer, he let out a sigh "don't you understand?... That if you don't try how do you know if it's going to work or not? '" "stop trying to talk to me in Morse code.. Tell me what your actually trying to say'" he let out a chuckle as he spined her away from him then back again before speaking, "you leaving India to pursue your career in tennis' I hate to think that you left because you thought that India wouldn't have the resources to make you what you are today'" she looked down and too let out a sigh, "back then it was different.. I took a chance which may have never come again.. And what your telling me I should have declined and stuck with my country'" he nodded, "at least you still call it your country.. Did you ever even try and Pursue your career of tennis in India??..." she looked at him and shook her head side ways, but then raising her eyebrows she spoke up "would you be here today if it weren't for Ales Jones?" she let go of his grip and walked away in the other direction.
---
She hit the ball back with as much strength as she could, but it went to the other side of the court right behind the line making it an out. "concentrate Riddhima'" spoke her coach as he threw then next ball to her, again she hit it but this time it hit the net "what's happening with you girl??... You've got the semi's tomorrow.." she shook her head, "I don't know'" "maybe I can help.." spoke a voice from the entrance to the court, there stood armaan dressed in his white Tennis shorts and baby blue t-shirt. Tennis racket in hand he moved towards Riddhima and her coach. "maybe a one on one will be good" spoke Armaan, Riddhima looked at her coach then back at Armaan with her mouth hung open, "why not' it will give you a challenge'" said her coach, "and close your mouth.. A fly will get it'" Riddhima shut her mouth, angry at her coach for accepting.
"your serve'" spoke Riddhima, at the other side of the court, "I know'" yelled back Armaan. They had been sending stupid remarks at each other since the game had started, and by now there was media videoing and taking photo's of these two playing against each other.
"match point'" yelled Armaan, as Riddhima served. It landed in his side of the court and he let it bounce, it was an ace. She walked into the middle of the court with Armaan on the other side of the net, shaking his hand and saying good game.
He sat down to take a drink of water when Riddhima came up to him, "you let me win'" he looked at her confused, "I know you' you can play a thousand times better then u did today'" "and'" he asked standing up, "and maybe you let me win.. To prove a point'" she said, tying her hair back up into a pony-tail, "and what may this point be?" he asked, "that what I said last night was true' you wouldn't be where you are today if it wasn't for Ales Jones'" he looked into her eyes and then looked around at the photographers and video-men who still recorded what ever they were doing. He picked up he's bags, gave a cute shrug to Riddhima and started walking away, she looked at him with a smile on her face "I knew it'" she said as she walked over to the fans to sign some autographs.
----
Later that night he sat in his room, reading a book. Hearing a knock on the door he stood up to go and answer it, as he opened the door one of the hotel staff stood there with a platter and a piece of paper on it. "this is for you sir'" armaan looked confused as he took the paper, opening in it he started to read what was written on it...
Pushpa Impossible
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