Questions and more questions whizzed through the mind. After all, here was a man who had lived our dreams as a 17-year old. He had the tennis World at his feet even before he could understand and appreciate the enormity of his achievement of winning the Wimbledon thrice, and earning the right to call the hallowed Centre Court, "my garden".

Surely, it could not be the same man who symbolised excellence and effort with those patented diving volleys and "boom, boom" serves? But there was no mistaking the swinging gait, the red head, the massive forearms and well-proportioned legs of a soccer player. Yes, it was Boris Becker, indeed.

After months of speculation and media hype, Becker kept his word and arrived in Chennai for theGold Flake Open. Now, it would not matter if he merely shakes a leg on the court and makes an early exit. The very fact that he flew half-way round the globe was a testimony to his professed wish of visiting "this part of the World".

And so, in the hotel lobby on this hot and sweltering Tuesday afternoon, the contingent of reporters felt let down when they were told that Becker "wished to rest", having landed here in the wee hours of the day. The scheduled 3.30 p.m. press conference was cancelled.

Some, including a few photographers, hung around the lobby and their wait was rewarded when Becker stepped off the elevator along with two enormous men of bulging muscles, presumably his bodyguards.

Becker took his time in walking up to the entrance and for a man who has been in the intense media glare for more than a decade, he was obviously unconcerned by the flash bulbs popping like Champagne corks as if celebrating the arrival of the champion.

The 31-year old did not have wife Barbara Feltus andfour-year old son Noah Gabriel in tow, but the thought hardly crossed the mind which was carrying out an imaginary "exclusive" interview with the tennis icon.

What prompted him to tell Sampras as they shook hands at the net last summer that it was his last Wimbledon? None, least of all "Pistol Pete", could believe that the decision was final. After all, the knowledgeable reckoned that Becker still had a couple of more years of top-flight tennis in him, injuries notwithstanding.

And yet, like Borg before him (though in different circumstances) he walked away from a sport that he had dominated. But while the "Super Swede" walked into the sunset, Becker seems to have started off on a new chapter altogether. Despite his "retirement" from Grand Slam and having begun to wind down his tennis commitments, Becker, it is believed, can still prove a handful.

Now that he is in Chennai, just about everyone is hoping that he would make it to the final, and yes, even win the trophy. At least then, one can rejoice thatone partook in a historic event of witnessing a typical Becker triumph in where else, but the "home" of Indian tennis.

Can anything be more satisfying and fitting? If only wishes could come true.