RAJ
(From Raj's mailbox): My name is Raj and I am a septuagenerain. I was born and raised in Kerala, India and came to USA when I was 25 and permanantly settled here in the Midwest. My family consists of my dear wife of 44 years,two grown up sons, one grandson who is 13 and our dog Molly.
I am tennis addict and a die hard Federer fan. I fell in love with his style and the ease with which he plays, from the outset. My former favourites are Bjorn Borg, Ivan lendl, Stefan Edberg, Gustavo Kuertan and Pete Sampras. Among the ladies I like Henin and Clijster and not too fond of the William sisters. I prefer to watch a good tennis match over any other sport, any day of the week. I have been known to get up at odd hours of the night to wattch live tennis when it is being played around the world.
I have played some tennis for fun in my younger days and then becamea long distance runner and took part in many marathons and one ultra marathon to my credit. I was fortunate enough to see Roger in person at Cincy one year and he looked awesome. The only other match I have seen in person is an exho between McEnroe and Borg during their hey day. I still work full time and as of late I schedule my time off around major tournaments and I have already scheduled my vacation for 2011 around all four Grandslams and Masters Final in the hopes that Roger will make it far into the tournaments and hopefully win some. One of my favourite past time is to log on to this site and read and reread all the comments you, the very astute and knowledgable people, write and yes that includes TP!
Without naming any names, some of the regulars on this forum I consider as my best friends whom I have never met. In my spare time, when I am not watching tennis, I love to fly. I am a licensed private pilot and own and operate a single engine aircraft.
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MURPH
She has been on the site for a long time and is a regular contributor.....
Wall Of Fame here.
***APPLAUSE***
:-D
Posted by: M | 06/14/2014 at 03:28 PM
APPLAUSE from me too. Well deserved.
Posted by: Jenny | 06/14/2014 at 03:45 PM
Very cool. Congrats!
Posted by: Gary Moser | 06/14/2014 at 04:30 PM
This is what makes this site a cut above. (Raj--how could you leave Kerala?! It was a highlight of my stay in the subcontinent!!)
Posted by: Bettyjane | 06/14/2014 at 04:47 PM
Congrats, Raj and Murph.
Posted by: O | 06/14/2014 at 05:01 PM
well done, both of you. Congrats
Posted by: Stella | 06/14/2014 at 05:01 PM
on the Planet there are many special people.
We enjoy their comments and heart
In a world of trolls and others
It sets our chat site apart.
Tennis Planet's newest "Respected elders "
Raj and Murph , as nominated above
You join a great bunch of others.
now let's all enjoy the great game that we love .
roll on Wimbledon !!!!!
Posted by: Stella | 06/14/2014 at 05:39 PM
Very nice. Congrats Raj and Murph!
Posted by: chipnputt | 06/14/2014 at 06:24 PM
RAJ and everyone,
You are living the life that I dream of. I am also an indian who immigrated here 19 years ago, now a med student, and am a die-heard in love with Federer Fan ever since I first saw him play on tv. I crave to play tennis when I can, and that is an extreme understatement. I've always wanted to fly, and hopefully one day will achieve this dream of having a private's pilot's license! The similarities are cool, and inspiring.
Midwest resident
PS, I also read this website religiously and consider all of you my never ever met best friends!
First time I went to the US Open (my only ever time I saw any professional tennis) was 2013. And I only went to see Federer, ofcourse! (glad he won against Zemlja) was the most ecstatic ever in my life!
Posted by: Omkar | 06/14/2014 at 08:30 PM
Totally agree. Thumbs up.
Posted by: alex | 06/14/2014 at 10:17 PM
What a surprise. My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your good wishes after TP placed Raj and me in a WOF category that at times is hard to believe I qualify. But I do.
Thanks TP for conjuring a WOF category I fit in since I failed in so many other attempts.
Posted by: Murph | 06/14/2014 at 10:18 PM
Why am I getting the feeling that TP is actually the Queen of England?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Birthday_Honours
Posted by: chipnputt | 06/14/2014 at 11:00 PM
Hi Omkar, Thank you for your comment and welcome to our Planet community.
Posted by: Jenny | 06/15/2014 at 02:08 AM
HA!! Chip---maybe I you'll get an OBE one day.
Posted by: Bettyjane | 06/15/2014 at 03:11 AM
I also smiled at Chip's comment.
Posted by: Jenny | 06/15/2014 at 03:26 AM
I think you have to be a Commonwealth citizen for the OBE, so I'm pretty much dead on arrival. But, really, think for a moment. The Queen's Birthday Honors List came out on June 14th. Coincidentally, or not so coincidentally, on June 14th TP does a TP Honors List -- 2 complimentary WOFs. Could it not be his way of saying -- OBEs for you but I'd have to disclose my identity to do that, so here's 's a WoF instead? Can you rule it out? How do you explain these new WoFs and their timing?
Posted by: chipnputt | 06/15/2014 at 04:17 AM
Congrats to Raj and Murph! Well done!
Posted by: jett09 | 06/15/2014 at 06:23 AM
so my theory that TP is Jenny is not so far off the mark then. Look at her mailbox picture --- now that is one dame who would hand out awards or sentences
Posted by: Stella | 06/15/2014 at 07:16 AM
I didn't see this post until late and what a surprise! I am speachless, to say the least. I consider it a tremendous honor. I want to thank each and everyone of you for your kind words and TP for making a special category just to accommodate the old among us! I guess being old has its own reward! Hope to hang around this forum for a very long time. Thanks again.
Posted by: raj | 06/15/2014 at 04:31 PM
Congrats to Raj and Murph!! It's always so nice to know something about the lives of people on the Planet.
it was fun to see all the old posts. thanks
Posted by: DSG | 06/17/2014 at 12:30 PM