Tennis

The Wimbledon Championships, the oldest and most prestigious Grand Slam tournament in tennis, recently concluded its 137th edition at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC). The tournament witnessed thrilling matches and memorable moments, with Barbora Krejcikova and Carlos Alcaraz emerging as the women's and men's singles champions, respectively.AELTC, in its efforts to popularize tennis in India, partnered with Star Sports to broadcast the matches with Hindi commentary. This initiative aims to make the tournament more accessible to Indian fans and inspire a new generation of players.Indian tennis star Ankita Raina, who has played at Wimbledon in the past, spoke about the significance of this initiative. She believes that it will have a positive impact on the sport in India, as it will introduce the tournament to a wider audience and showcase the achievements of Indian players.Raina also highlighted the importance of individual performances by Indian players, such as Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal, in inspiring fellow players. She believes that their success at the highest level has motivated other Indian players to pursue their tennis dreams.The Wimbledon Championships holds a special place in the hearts of tennis fans worldwide. Its rich history, tradition, and unique rules, such as the requirement to wear all white, make it an iconic event. For Indian fans, the Hindi commentary will enhance their understanding and appreciation of the tournament.Raina's own experience at Wimbledon has been unforgettable. She cherishes the opportunity to play on the hallowed courts and compete against the world's best players. She believes that the tournament is a dream come true for any tennis player.The Wimbledon Championships offer fans an unforgettable sporting experience. The tournament showcases the highest level of tennis, featuring some of the world's most talented players. With the addition of Hindi commentary, Indian fans will now have a more immersive and engaging experience, further fueling their passion for the sport.

Wimbledon 2023: Hindi Commentary Adds a New Flavor to the Grand SlamAs tennis fans worldwide eagerly await the live telecast of the Women's and Men's Wimbledon championship matches on July 13 and 14, Indian viewers are set to savor the action on Centre Court in their native Hindi language.Star Sports Network has partnered with the All India English Club to introduce Hindi commentary on its Star Sports 1 Hindi channel, marking a significant milestone in the accessibility of tennis in India. The live broadcast, featuring former Davis Cup player and current national and Davis Cup coach Zeeshan Ali, sports commentator Raman Bhanot, and host Suren Sundaram, has brought the matches alive for Hindi-speaking tennis enthusiasts.While a 30-minute show by Raman and Suren continues to air the highlights on the channel daily at 10 am, live commentary for the matches was initially slated for only two days (July 1 and 2). However, buoyed by the overwhelming response, the Network has extended the commentary for the finale."Commentating in Hindi was a different but enjoyable experience," said Zeeshan, who had previously commentated in English for Star Sports on Wimbledon in 2014 and 2015. "Having a chat with the production team about what was needed for the broadcast made it easier too."The matches covered by the team included the single matches between India's Sumit Nagal and Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic, Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) versus Dusam Lajovic (Serbia), and Carlos Alcaraz versus Mark Lajal.Although the technical terminology remains unchanged, the commentary in colloquial Hindi makes it easy to understand. "Like in cricket, tennis too has words specific to the game that cannot be changed irrespective of the language we speak," said Zeeshan, giving examples of terms such as forehand, backhand, overhead, volley, and serve.Raman Bhanot emphasized the importance of building content for Hindi viewers. "People who follow tennis and listen to English commentary know the backstory behind certain events. But Hindi commentators need to build in the content for Hindi viewers and explain the story behind their funny exchange."Conciseness and brevity are crucial in tennis commentary. Commentators must let the match play on and avoid talking while the rally is in progress. They should speak succinctly the moment a point is over, as the chair umpire might announce the score or faults."Hindi commentary is a welcome move that helps the game; it takes the sport to more people, cutting across language barriers," said Zeeshan.As you watch your favorite tennis star make their opponent run end to end on the baseline and follow it up with a drop shot, you might hear Raman say, 'Pura court napwaya diya' (He made him run all over the court)!