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Serve and volley

Mrudula Rajadhyaksha

If you thought keeping the press waiting endlessly is filmstars' prerogative, then think again! The latest sensations of the nation, the star tennis duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, who were in Bombay last week, kept the press waiting for exactly two hours.

We heard they were busy launching a soft drink, then visiting some music shop besides other having programmes elsewhere. Naturally, with this tight schedule, the delay for the press conference, called by J. Hampstead of Siyaram Mills was 'understandable'.

Finally, the stars, dressed in casuals, stepped in, and photographers wasted no time in capturing all possible frames. After the flashbulbs stopped popping -- they were 'requested' to -- we were given a rather short duration to talk to the doubles champions as "they had a fashion show coming up next".

We are informed that the owners of J.Hampstead, the Poddars, had tied up with the duo much before they won the French Open, and J. Hampstead is targetted at the middle class and upper middle class, and the fabric is made keeping the Indian climate in mind. "It will feel warm in winters and cool in summers," says one of the Poddars.

Though the total investment for the project is around 300 crores, the owners inform us that they hope to cover the cost by reasonably pricing their cloth per meter. "Our product is already doing well in South India," he says.

As for the advertising, they say they are on the right track with the tennis stars in their pockets. The contract with the duo at present is for a year, but the Poddars seem too excited about extending it further.

But what does the world No.1 doubles team have to say about their association with J Hampstead?

According to Bhupathi, the brand has been lucky for them, as after signing the contract, they won the prestigious French Open. "We hope to make the brand successful as much as we hope the brand makes us successful!" he jokes.

And what about advertisers queuing up to sign on cricketers rather than tennis stars to model their products?

"Well, we do not have as much time as cricketers for modeling. We have rather busy schedules," comes the smart answer from Paes.

One thing is certain: the champions have certainly caught the attention of advertisers and this is just the beginning. Though it is difficult to replace the cricket craze, tennis as well as the tennis stars are definitely gaining in popularity with the masses. The glamour, modeling and rumours only point to this. The latest rumour is the break-up of the team.

"As you said rightly, it is rumour and nothing else. We are very much together for the next year; for the next five years," says Bhupathi.

Do they have any goals for the coming season?

"Yes, definitely. We want to win as many Grand Slams, Wimbeldons and many other titles as possible. But our main target would be to keep improving our game every day; we want to master our game. The most important thing is the consistency in the game, in the performance. We try and perform every day, every game. That is why we are No. 1.We want to finish this year as No.1. Our eyes are now set on the Australian Open, US Open and, of course, the Olympics," says Bhupathi.

Yes, the duo declared that their sights are firmly set on the coming Olympics in Sydney. Says Paes: "There is still lot of time for the Olympics and before that we have lot of other tournaments to work on. We will plan out strategy for Olympics."

What made the pair suddenly click this year?

Bhupathi says: "In the first two years of our partnership, we played Challengers and also lot of singles. But it was the tournament we won in Chennai which changed everything. We won four Challengers titles too. As I said things changed for us thereon. This year we set ourselves goals as a doubles team and we want to finish the year as No.1!"

Paes agrees with his partner. "Luck is very important and it has been on our side. Besides, we are maturing, improving as players; as a team." he says.

But suddenly, as questions were being thrown at the tennis aces, we are told it's pack-up time for the conference and we can join them for the fashion show.

No, thank you. Watching them return speeding balls on the tennis court is more fun than seeing them saunter on the ramp!