After serving the Indian Army for 24 years, Col. Sharath Bhat has settled in Mysuru, at Sankalp Central Park, Yadavagiri, since 2004. Though he basically belongs to Surathkal, Mangaluru, he was born and educated in Delhi and then joined the Indian Army. During his school days, Sharath and his friend Manwant Walia had dreamt of watching the Wimbledon from the Centre Court itself at some point in their life and that childhood wish, made nearly 47 years back, was fulfilled on 6th July 2023 when the bosom friends made it to the Centre Court.

Col. Sharath Bhat, presently serving at Kaynes Technology, Mysuru, as President, International Business, heading the Market and New Initiatives, narrates his experience and excitement of being at the Wimbledon. Read on… 

By Col. Sharath Bhat

[With thoughts from Manwant Walia]

Delhi during early sixties and seventies was a city of Government servants or “Babus” as they were respectfully called. Large number of Government accommodation came up in South Delhi. Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) was started to cater for Defence Services and Government servants, whose kids needed to get good education and could be accommodated during their parents’ mid-year transfers.

I grew up in late sixties and early seventies in such a Colony in South Delhi, which fortunately also had a KV for absorbing young kids of transferable jobs. I remember those days in our school, we had a lovely amalgam of cross culture of every State of India. Most of our                                                                Colonies had standard layouts, with a rectangular central vacant area for recreation and all along were the row of double-storied houses.

Growing up was a fusion of outdoor games with your neighbours’ kids and a healthy session in school under our able and talented class teachers. Most of us brought our lunch boxes from the houses and few lucky ones had their mothers coming during lunch hour to deliver hot lunch boxes. It was a sight to see all of them, clad in simple sarees, standing outside the perimeter of the school, waiting patiently for the lunch bell to ring. The lunch hour used to be a heady experience with tasting of various cuisine packed lovingly by mothers and the favourite were always the lunch boxes of South Indian students.

During such beautiful school days, we made friends who have stood the test of time and are still closely meshed and intertwined in each other’s lives. We also dreamt of our future and what we would do in our later life. Being outdoor passionate students, self and one such bosom friend had made a pact with each other. The pact was simple one, that at some point in our life, we would get together to watch the Wimbledon from the Centre Court itself. Was it silly or was it a dream, both of us did not know, but still we had made a wish, lying on the grass of our humble park, staring at the sky full of stars, maybe a child’s dream, but definitely something to live for.

Life took us on our separate destinies. I joined the Defence Services, saw all the jungles, mountains and deserts of India and my bosom friend decided to try his destiny in USA. Our friendship never faltered. We always remained in touch, even during the era of no mobiles and no connectivity in remote Army Stations. Used letters, though maybe once a year, but knew what the other was doing. My life took a turn as I decided to prematurely resign my commission and joined the corporate sector. This infused our friendship with a new life. As now I travelled to USA and actually met him and his growing family. He also came to India and stayed with my family.

That’s the time, somewhere in 2019, we remembered our childhood days and the pact of going to view a day’s match at the Centre Court of the Wimbledon. He had by this time started playing the game and had become a big time follower of tennis. He had been to US Open but never ever ventured to London for the iconic Wimbledon. I being in the army was a natural player of both tennis/squash and loved the game.

Our planning started but unfortunately, Covid stole two years of everyone’s life. However as our age advanced, our enthusiasm to witness grew more, we decided without further confusion that year of 2023 would be the year when we would attend this marvellous and beautiful game at the Centre Court of Wimbledon. Initially plan was for both of us to go, he will plan to come from USA and I from India, but later we included our supporting spouses too, in our grandiose plans.

Never imagined that getting the tickets for the event would present such difficulties. Before we realised, all the online tickets had vanished in September 2022 itself. Without batting an eyelid we decided that we would pay any amount, but be present on 6th July 2023 at the Centre Court. My bosom friend from USA took on himself to go after the tickets, plan the stay in the hotel and the complete itinerary. Somewhere in April 2023, he could lay his hands on the tickets and our plans finalised. My work took me to New Jersey and one evening over a beer and cards, we gave final touches to our plan.

Minor health issues for both of us cropped up in May and June. He underwent a surgery and was required to take two weeks rest and I had unexpected BP fluctuations, just days before boarding our flight. Our spirit remained cheerful and our doctors gave us green signal to proceed with the “once in a life time, dream come true, vacation.”

Both the couples reached London on 4th July, albeit from different routes and met at the designated hotel. While hugging my friend, I could feel the same excitement of a child who had made that promise to me, nearly 47 years back. I also could not control my emotions, our eyes gleamed and we laughed at every silly talk we made. Big day was in two days’ time and ladies had planned to enjoy visits to a few famous eateries like Dishoom and also pace out all the famous sights of London.

Visit to Dishoom restaurant at Covent Garden was an experience which needs to be retold separately. Needless to suffice that we enjoyed standing in line for 45 minutes under the constant pounding rains, with umbrella and a hot cup of tea provided by the eatery. Never in our life have we waited for so long, for having food. But yes every good thing in life comes with a price.

 Now a word about Wimbledon and the famed Centre Courts. Wimbledon has been there for more than 150 years. The Club was founded on 23rd July 1868 as The All England Croquet Club. Its name was changed in 1877 to The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club and in 1899 to The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. On 1st August 2011 the Club was converted into a company limited by guarantee under the name The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club Limited.

Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, G.C.V.O is the Patron of the Club and one can see the richness of this Club, in the way it presents itself.

[To be continued tomorrow]