Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
With the first major of the year - the Australian Open - less than a week to go, the world of tennis appears to be the only area not affected by the global credit crunch. And with Andy Murray in such irresistible form, the level of excitement and anticipation has soared further.
Predictably, the same cannot be said of any other sport. Motor sports of all genres - Formula One, rallying and racing and motorcycling - are already reeling under recession. Formula One is reduced to nine teams with the withdrawal of Honda while motor rallying will be without Suzuki and Subaru and MotoGP without Kawasaki.
Cricket, on the other hand, is crippled due to security concerns in the subcontinent and its commercial capital India has already lost millions of dollars in revenue following the curtailed tour of England and the cancellation of the tour of Pakistan.
Golfers and soccer stars too are feeling the pinch individually and collectively. If the fall of Indian IT giant Satyam has cast a shadow over the sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa, Tiger Woods and David Beckham have begun the year with a lighter portfolio of endorsement deals.
Elsewhere, it's going to be a quiet year with no Olympics, no continental games and no World Cups or any other major showdowns save for the traditional Ashes clash.
By contrast, the first fortnight of tennis kicked off on a bright note with no signs of any recession or shortage of top class action across the globe. Murray alone became richer by $433,000 in prize-money for less than 10 days in the office. That is without taking into consideration appearance fees that normally match the prize money. Even the Australian Open is offering record prize money this year.
At another level, the action on court has been equally attractive with Murray leading the way. If the early form of the 21-year-old Scot is any indication, only illness or injury can stop him from breaking a 73-year-old jinx and becoming the first Brit to win a Grand Slam since Fred Perry in 1936.
Once that is achieved, then there is the even more absorbing possibility of Murray fighting for a place at the zenith of tennis with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Witnessing a change of guard is a pleasant sight, even if it is on a playground and not at Buckingham Palace. When Fernando Alonso beat Michael Schumacher a few years ago to take over the mantle in Formula One, it was considered a historic moment and the sense of achievement heightened.
It would not have weighed as much if, for example, Schumacher had retired the year before or his skill was in decline and Alonso had beaten someone else for the driver's title. Such events are a rarity in sports as the change of guard usually coincides with a change in generation.
But with Murray on such a hot streak and Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic, the three players above him in world rankings, not in total control, both in terms of form and fitness, we may be witness to another piece of history.
This mini-battle or a battle within a battle can run parallel to the main plot of Grand Slams to add to the drama and excitement right through the year.
Murray has already raised expectations by winning back-to-back titles in Abu Dhabi and Doha and beating all the big names, Federer (twice), Nadal and Roddick in convincing manner. It is this run which can be a harbinger to a hot streak and herald a new order in men's tennis.
Off the court too, Murray has provided enough intimation of his impending plans and intimidating form. "What excites me is that I don't think I'm close to my best tennis," said Murray after beating Roddick in Doha. A simple statement in normal circumstances and understandable coming from someone in search of a maiden Grand Slam.
But that it came after giant-killing efforts and from a player in such great form is bound to send a chill down the spines of his nearest rivals.
"I still think I can play better and improve things. I feel good going into the Australian Open," added Murray for some more good effect.
It is clear that Murray is expecting a bumper year after having made his first appearance in a Grand Slam final last year. By hiring David Beckham's manager Simon Fuller to take care of his commercial interests, it is also obvious that Murray also expects a windfall.
Last year, we were hooked on Formula One as it went to the wires before Lewis Hamilton could seal the title at the last turn of the season in Brazil. This year may be the year of tennis .... and Andy Murray, of course.
