Good morning. This is today's gathering place for the Tribe to discuss the tennis going on in Madrid and Zurich. Please keep the talk focused on tennis until after the day's play is over - afterwards it's OK to drift off-topic.
I arrived in Madrid yesterday - much as expected we're seeing warm weather here, though this marks the first time during this autumn that many of the players have come indoors to play. It's also the last time that this event will be staged in the current venue - the concrete, glass and steel structure known as the Rockodromo. Next year it will be outdoors, on clay, in the run-up to Roland Garros.
Turning up at around 5 p.m., I had a good couple of hours to investigate the venue before the evening session kicked off at 8 o'clock. I've been to the Madrid tournament before, but didn't see as much on that occasion. Apart from a vast number of tennis-related concessions for the public to visit, I also discovered the main practice courts, which are housed next to each other, separated from the public area only by a low wall. Naturally, it was clear from the size of the crowd beside it as I approached that Rafael Nadal was using the first of those courts. He was working with two practice partners across the net. I couldn't identify one of them, but I caught sight of the other as he walked out - it appeared to be Willy Canas.
Photographers are treated well at this tournament. There are dedicated spaces beside the main courts. In addition, on Pista Central we're allowed to move around in the walkways and stairways in between the main audience seats; both are viewpoints worth trying out. The courtside spaces were very busy during the first evening session, between Nadal and Ernests Gulbis, which means that even photographers can get in each other's way, so it's worth spending time on the walkway that circles the court just behind the red-shaded courtside boxes.
The atmosphere last night was excellent. While clearly the local crowd heavily favoured Nadal, Gulbis' many spectacular shots were given the applause that they deserved, and he walked off acknowledging the crowd. He had an awkward moment or two during the match - the line judge nearest to me received a verbal blast at one point - but in general he directed his annoyance at himself; Gulbis has a fine array of pained expressions and arm gestures. He served beautifully - except when he didn't, for example conceding the first set on a double fault.
