… A fabulous book by Joshua Ferris, but none of this has anything to do with that.
‘Then we came to the end’ just seems to be the mantra of the Sports World these days that has left many, I am sure, distraught, disappointed and utterly dismayed.
Stalwarts whom we looked up to – those who hit the ball very hard, those who drove cars really fast, and some wonderful defenders and centre backs (never mind their off-centre views on a myriad other things off the field) – have forewarned that they may be calling it a day in the world of sport anytime soon!
Now with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Michael Schumacher and John Terry having announced their retirement (or on the verge thereof), there seems to be a dullness in the air – the grass on the cricket field seems to have withered at the news; the race tracks seem to have gone dry (for a second time); and the hysteria in the football stadiums has probably died down a bit. The class acts of these men will never be forgotten, and will often be referred to – just like classics in a library. We’ll see them around – sometimes in the commentator’s box, sometimes as spectators, sometimes supporting a cause or then promoting the sport they belonged to, or even – hold your breath – in Parliament (Why Sachin, why?). But we won’t see them doing what they did best! Score!
When athletes retire they make their ardent followers feel old. And that’s the one thing that hits us women the most! It makes us realize that we are a part not of Gen Next but Ex-Gen. It’s time to wear the sunscreen more regularly, maybe dye the grey, and time to accept that the men we shall now ogle at on the TV screens are going to be way younger than us – that would put us in the category of … well, whatever!
It’s a changing world, and the process has already begun. The damage is done. Yes, Virat Kohli is hot, Messi bends it like Beckham and Sebastian Vettel seems to be steering right. But Sachin, Schumi and gang – Nah, He just don’t make it like ‘em anymore!
Yes, my heart is broken. But it shall be completely shattered the day Roger Federer keeps his racquet aside, and when Usain Bolt hangs up his running shoes. Until then I’m running, baby! I’m running… 34!
jltreally 
Lovely column Urva.. thank god fernando alonso isn’t retiring anytime soon!
Thank you, Renu… Ye, we need to watch as many games together as possible 🙂
Never thought of this perspective …:)
Nice to see your comment here, JJ… also wanted to say THANKS 🙂