Cool Story about Venus and her virtually unknown opponent!!!

Andy Zarzuela · 09-01-2004, 05:41 PM

Here's part of a good story in this week's India Abroad newspaper -- it's especially timely as Shikha will next meet Venus in the US Open:

The sisters are in demand as hitting partners, because they combine a certain laid-back irreverence off court with a focused seriousness on it, whether at practice or in match-play. It is an attitude that has made them friends - big-name friends such as the legendary Martina Navratilova, who emails them hints, suggestions, advice and encouragement and to whom they turn when they want someone who has been there, done that, to help them make sense of it all. And the Williams sisters, both of whom seek them out as hitting partners when the tour puts them in the same place, same time.

On tour, friendships are made in strange ways. "September 11, 2001, Shikha and I were flying home from a tournament in Atlanta when the terrorist attacks happened. Our plane had to land in Jacksonville. Venus Williams was on her way home after winning the US Open," Neha recalls.

"It was chaos at the airport. We were trying to find a way home. We saw Venus Williams waiting in line for a rental car. Venus had come and hit with us once before and she remembered us. I asked her if we could possibly get a ride home with her, since she lives 15 minutes away from us in Florida. The car rental service gave her a huge 20-passenger van -- the thought of the three of us in that huge vehicle had us laughing all the way home."

"We didn't really know her too well at that time, but she was very friendly, and was talking to us about India. Suddenly she mentioned that she loved Bhindi Masala. Shikha and I were so shocked that she knew that dish -- I mean, Americans usually say they like curry or kebabs or Samosas. So we called mom and asked her to make Bhindi Masala because Venus was coming home for dinner. Mom made a huge Indian meal, and Venus sat with us and ate it all -- it was amazing that on that day, in that way, we met one of our role models."

That meeting has blossomed into a friendship -- as much of one as is possible, the sisters say, when you are constantly on the road, traveling and playing at widely different levels. It has also led to a standing joke, with Venus' sister Serena nagging the Uberoi girls about when they were going to host her to a similar meal.
________
REPLAY STARCRAFT2

Andy Zarzuela · 09-01-2004, 07:02 PM

Nice story, eh?
________
Colorado medical marijuana dispensary

big ted · 09-01-2004, 07:11 PM

yea its pretty good. its the first venus message from u that didnt make me want to puke or anything too .

@wright · 09-02-2004, 05:30 AM

Very nice story, and I'm gonna have to agree with Big Ted on the nausea.

Andy Zarzuela · 09-02-2004, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big ted

yea its pretty good. its the first venus message from u that didnt make me want to puke or anything too .

Ok, you're gonna have to explain that one....because the only thing I ever posted about her were about my hopes for her to win....please ELABORATE
________
Hotels in mexico

i.Radical · 09-02-2004, 11:52 AM

Uh, finally something positive about the Williams family.

The tennis guy · 09-02-2004, 01:05 PM

I'll answer for big ted.

You confuse your hopes for her to win with reality. You always stated Venus was like goddess who couldn't do no wrong on court, would win everything she entered, always the favorite. Fine if that is what you hope, it is fine. However, to most people who read your postings, it didn't feel like it was just your hope. You stated it as reality. You are too in 'love' with Venus to have objective view of her tennis game.

Andy Zarzuela · 09-05-2004, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The tennis guy

I'll answer for big ted.

You confuse your hopes for her to win with reality. You always stated Venus was like goddess who couldn't do no wrong on court, would win everything she entered, always the favorite. Fine if that is what you hope, it is fine. However, to most people who read your postings, it didn't feel like it was just your hope. You stated it as reality. You are too in 'love' with Venus to have objective view of her tennis game.

Hard to deny that Venus Williams along with Serena dominated in to 2002-2003 era. Sure she's had some setbacks that are usually injury related;however, when Venus is playing her best...no one can beat her. Even with this being a "subpar" year for Venus...did I mention that she held a 19 match winning streak this year before Roland Garros, and there I had a legit argument. By the way I HOPE SHE BEATS DAVENPORT......

(feel better now?)
________
Honda cmx250c history

09-01-2004, 05:41 PM	#1
Andy Zarzuela Professional Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,043	Cool Story about Venus and her virtually unknown opponent!!! Here's part of a good story in this week's India Abroad newspaper -- it's especially timely as Shikha will next meet Venus in the US Open: The sisters are in demand as hitting partners, because they combine a certain laid-back irreverence off court with a focused seriousness on it, whether at practice or in match-play. It is an attitude that has made them friends - big-name friends such as the legendary Martina Navratilova, who emails them hints, suggestions, advice and encouragement and to whom they turn when they want someone who has been there, done that, to help them make sense of it all. And the Williams sisters, both of whom seek them out as hitting partners when the tour puts them in the same place, same time. On tour, friendships are made in strange ways. "September 11, 2001, Shikha and I were flying home from a tournament in Atlanta when the terrorist attacks happened. Our plane had to land in Jacksonville. Venus Williams was on her way home after winning the US Open," Neha recalls. "It was chaos at the airport. We were trying to find a way home. We saw Venus Williams waiting in line for a rental car. Venus had come and hit with us once before and she remembered us. I asked her if we could possibly get a ride home with her, since she lives 15 minutes away from us in Florida. The car rental service gave her a huge 20-passenger van -- the thought of the three of us in that huge vehicle had us laughing all the way home." "We didn't really know her too well at that time, but she was very friendly, and was talking to us about India. Suddenly she mentioned that she loved Bhindi Masala. Shikha and I were so shocked that she knew that dish -- I mean, Americans usually say they like curry or kebabs or Samosas. So we called mom and asked her to make Bhindi Masala because Venus was coming home for dinner. Mom made a huge Indian meal, and Venus sat with us and ate it all -- it was amazing that on that day, in that way, we met one of our role models." That meeting has blossomed into a friendship -- as much of one as is possible, the sisters say, when you are constantly on the road, traveling and playing at widely different levels. It has also led to a standing joke, with Venus' sister Serena nagging the Uberoi girls about when they were going to host her to a similar meal. ________ REPLAY STARCRAFT2 Last edited by Andy Zarzuela : 04-16-2011 at 12:37 AM.

09-01-2004, 07:02 PM	#2
Andy Zarzuela Professional Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,043	Nice story, eh? ________ Colorado medical marijuana dispensary Last edited by Andy Zarzuela : 04-16-2011 at 12:37 AM.

09-02-2004, 05:30 AM	#4
@wright Hall Of Fame Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,568	Very nice story, and I'm gonna have to agree with Big Ted on the nausea. __________________ Proudly donning the Nadal avatar until Fed either wins Roland Garros, or serves Nadal a bagel.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode