Their names have the same initials. They both form an integral part of the sporting arena. But that’s it??? For if one is an immortal 37-year old German in the history of formula one, then the other is an electrifying combination of style with substance, the 19-year old Russian miss. Yes this is a tale of the legendary Michael Schumacher & the swashbuckling Maria Sharapova!!!

And what a coincidence for both of them to achieve the pinnacle of glory in subsequent days & yet it was not a foregone conclusion. For how much gifted these two sportspersons may be, they were certainly not the favorites. As the Russian teen prodigy faced the daunting prospect of a US open grand finale against the more consistent, more solid & more successful Henin-Hardenne. Then the ageing Schumi was up against the championship leader Fernando Alonso in an ever reliable Renault. The odds were heavily stacked against both of them.

But as the famous saying goes- “Cometh the hour, cometh the man”, it was to be proved true once again. For it was an exemplary performance, a gutsy display, like their very life depended on it. And this is the stuff, the champions are made off.

For on that Saturday night, it was not Henin who lost but it was Maria who won, simply because she was the one who called all the shots, she was the one who was more hungry for that coveted crown & she was the one who had the wherewithal to conquer all the odds. And so as the Flushing Meadows crowd gave a standing ovation, Sharapova stood their with the crown, like a kid with her most favorite toy of all.

And then came the Super Sunday which was to go down in the annals of history as one of the most memorable days in the history of formula one in particular & sports in general. For on this dazzling day, the incomparable Schumi proved once & for all why he is the greatest human ever to have stepped into that Ferrari. And that daredevil combination wreaked havoc for the umpteenth time on his rivals. As no alonso, no kimi could give the champion a fight on his last race in Monza,Italy. Victory here meant that Ferrari overtook Renault in the constructor’s championship & Schumacher himself is now within sniffing distance of alonso in the driver’s championship. Schumi also announced his retirement from his most beloved sport at the end of the season, much to the heartbreak of millions of his diehard fans across the world. But like all good things come to an end one day. The whole world bids adieu to this sporting phenomena.

So as the king “MS” now leaves his throne in formula one at the end of the year, the stage is all set for the queen “MS” to become the heir to his throne & reign in the kingdom of tennis.

That only time will tell but for the moment Let the magic of “MS” mesmerize our souls…