Tomorrow we head to the first Grand Slam tennis event, the Australian Open, played on hard courts and in searing heat.
One of the 'dark horses' for the tournament is our own boy from Thornhill, Milos Raonic. Milos won his second career ATP tournament last weekend. The tournament was hosted in the country of my birth, India. As I sat in my living room cheering him on every point in the tense final against Janko, a top 10 ranked player, I could not help compare the sporting similarities between Canada and India. In both countries the sporting passions seem to be largely centered around one sport, cricket and (ice) hockey. The stars from these sports are revered and hyped and way too many folks spend way too much time obsessing about it! Yet, both sports are played in a handful of countries and neither can be truly classified as a world sport.
In contrast, tennis is a beautiful game played across the world. A true global sport that has fans in most countries. Names such as John McEnroe, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer are recognized around the world while Sidney Crosby and Sachin Tendulkar may mean nothing in most parts of the world.
Till today Canada focuses on hockey and other games invented in North America. I was rather bemused to see the story of Milos's win last Sunday take second place to some qualifier match in a League invented by and played by Americans (aka the NFL) on a local Toronto channel!
In my mind Milos has the opportunity, and talent, to truly put Canada on the global sports map. With a serve 'to die for' and a pretty good all-round game he could be the next 'real thing'. I will be there rooting for him every step of the way as he continues his phenomenal rise. I hope that everyone else in Canada recognizes what Milos is is doing for this country and joins me in cheering for the young lad.
Go Milos Go!!
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