Garcia header powers Kolkata past NorthEast

Sergi Bruguera was one of the most under-rated of Grand Slam champions. Once the king of dirt, following his back to back French Open titles in 1993-94, he is among the finest talents who have not found a place in International Tennis Hall of Fame.

The Spaniard, now 43, no longer sports the flowing manes which became associated with his persona. But tennis continues to excite him. Besides opening the ‘Bruguera Tennis Academy,’ he has now been roped in by World No 26 Frenchman Richard Gasquet as coach.

“I never thought about whether I got due recognition. I am satisfied with what tennis has given me and what I achieved,” Bruguera, who was known for his massive top spin forehand, told Deccan Herald.

He may not have had the the flashiness of an Andre Agassi or the success of a Jim Courier, but unlike the American duo, the unassuming Spaniard had a winning record of 3-2 against the 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras.

Sampras himself acknowledged the power Bruguera wielded over him, in his autobiography ‘A Champions Mind.’ 

He gave him tribute not only as an excellent clay court player but also acknowledged him as a decent hardcourt player saying the Spaniard “moved like a deer.”

“I was a good returner of serve and I loved to pass and that’s possibly the reasons I got the better of Sampras,” Bruguera recalled with a smile.

Bruguera, however, feels the game has changed a lot since his playing days. “The game has become pretty much the same now, whether it is on grass, clay or hard court, or indoors. You play from the baseline, you have to be strong and there are long rallies. I miss watching volleys or dodges.

“Earlier, during Davis Cup there used to be home advantage but now it does not matter whether you are playing in your country or outside. I would have loved to play in this era. I used to lose in first round and second round of Wimbledon as there was no way you could have played from the baseline then. Today, it would have given me more chances,” he chuckled.

Representing Mumbai Tennis Masters in the Champions Tennis League, he believed the league formula would be embraced by fans and players alike.

“I thought it is an excellent idea to promote the game in this part of the world. The fans would always love to watch legends. They like to compare how they used to play and how the different styles are now.  Of course we cannot play as better as we used to play but they still will have an idea,” he signed off.