This was, for more than an year the most anticipated thing in the entire country. Every time India played a match the only thing discussed was "Will Sachin Tendulkar be able to score his 100th 100 in this match" and there were a lot of disappointing innings - innings when Sachin was not able to score the 100. More disappointing even than the loss of India is some of those matches.
Sachin has said that when he is on a tour, he doesn't watch news. I guess this is the only way to avoid being affected by all the discussions going around him and this is the reason for the longevity of his career. If only I could find a way to screen criticism or discussions like Sachin.