Factual
Australian Open, Wimbledon could see rescheduling
MELBOURNE: The first tennis Grand Slam tournament of the year The Australian Open is played in incredible heat in January. Dehydration and cramps are common. So it comes as no surprise that players have asked the tournament organisers for a different date.
In India the tournament airs on ESPN Star Sports. There is also another complaint from players about burnout. This is because they continously play tournaments throughout the year without adequate breaks. The risk of picking up career shortening injuries increases.
However this would mean that the Association of tennis Players (ATP) and Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) would have to reschedule their tournaments if the Australian Open is to be played in March when the weather is more conducive. An AP report indicates that discussions are going on between the ATP, WTA and Tennis Australia.
Meanwhile former player Martina Navratilova has argued that the organisers should take the initiative and not wait for serious injuries to mount before being forced into action. Grand Slam winner Marat Safin who has been out of action for quite a while has come out in support of the proposed move.
If an overhaul of the scheduling takes place The Australian Open is not the only Grand Slam that could be affected. One of the reasons why Bjorn Borg was the last player to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year is the fact that there is barely a two week gap between the two of them. There is not enough time for clay courters to switch to grass. Therefore there exists the chance that Wimbeldon too could be pushed back.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
