When I watched the Roland Garros men's final live, as the world number two emphatically affirmed his status as the world's best current claycourter, it didn't even seem possible that a week later, he would be lifting another trophy, having won the grasscourt tournament at Queen's Club. The BBC noted during its pre-match coverage that no man had previously won Roland Garros, and, within a week, also reached the final at Queen's (or won the tournament). Ilie Nastase won both tournaments in 1973, but they were not held within seven days of each other, as the Italian Open (also won by Nastase) occurred after Roland Garros, in a year that also contained a three-week gap between the French Open and Wimbledon.
I watched the match, with my camera, from the gantry that separates Court 1 and Centre Court - being finals day, courtside seats for photographers are at a premium, and there aren't enough for everyone. The size of the court and its seating is intimate enough that no-one is too far away from the action, and it turned out to be an excellent viewpoint. Also, the sun showed itself during the match, which means that, exposed as I was up high, my sun-tan can now legitimately be said to have been topped up beside tennis courts in six countries in the past few weeks.
The final was one of the best matches I have seen all year (probably the best final I've seen at Queen's for many a year), and I think many of the Tribe felt the same way. This is an interesting rivalry. The crowd atmosphere was electric - the only thing missing was a third set. Beforehand I had Djokovic as the slight favourite, with the caveat that Nadal's match-fitness right now is excellent - and he hadn't lost a match since the second round in Rome. Once we reached 3-3 in the first set (with Djokovic having won the first three games, and Nadal the next three), the match was full of energy, with many high-quality rallies. Djokovic held a set point during the first set tiebreak, and was within two points of taking the second set, after his opponent lost serve and left him serving for the set. Time after time, Nadal was able to erase these advantages. While it's true that he plays every point with intensity, I don't go along with the idea I've heard from some commentators that he plays every point with the same intensity - this is a player who knows how to react under pressure, and tackles the big points with controlled aggression, and extra focus.
After the excitement was over (following a breathless run down to courtside for the final photo-opportunity), I left the Club for the last time this year. To get there, I've been driving from home, and taking the Underground from Southfields, one of the two stops that a week from now, will be steadily decanting large numbers of visitors making their way to the Wimbledon Championships. I used to live close by, and know where to find a convenient parking-space - though all these will be blocked off once Wimbledon starts. On my way home, I drove along Wimbledon Park Road, past the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and the church, something I once did every day. The Club is starting to dress itself up for the Championships already - a big green bridge spans the road outside, and it looks as though the cover-up has begun on the building works still going on around Centre Court, where the new structure and roof should be completed for 2009.
On the evidence of Queen's, and with the defending Champion having won his warm-up tournament in Halle, there's a lot for tennis fans to look forward to when the Championships begin. A Queen's Champion last won in SW19 in 2002.
As always, enjoy today's tennis. More photos coming soon.
