Though we're in the midst of serious Davis Cup action, I'm already anxious for the next big tennis event, the Indian Wells Masters. Why? Because I'll be there! For a few days, anyway. I'll be wreaking havoc ... er, hanging out with several TWibers (Jenn, vetmama, beth, jb, and Tari, to name a few). From what I hear, many of you plan on attending the tournament, so a TWibe meet-and-greet is definitely in order.
Here's the plan, for those of you attending: We'll be gathering at The Beer Hunter on Friday the 13th around 9:30 PM. Please join us if you're able! If you already have plans or can't make it for whatever reason, please let me know as soon as possible, either here in the comments or via my Tennis.come-mail and I'll try to arrange a second time for us to meet. Sound good?
As I prepare for this trip, I'm reminded of the last time I attended a tournament - the Cincinnati Masters last July. I had never seen live tennis prior to that, so it was quite the thrill to be that close to the action ... and to all the players. The experience was so satisfying that I couldn't resist doing it all over again in IW.
I realized I often mention my time in Cincinnati here - usually in broad (and hyperbolic!) terms - but many of you weren't around when I shared details about the trip. With that in mind, I thought it'd be fun to reproduce some of those anecdotes here. Whether you're seeing these posts for the first time or not, I hope you still find them entertaining - and that they give you a sense of why I'm clamoring to be back in that live tennis environment. I'm telling you, it can't be beat.
Post #1 ("An Auspicious Beginning"):
I knew these few days in Cincy were going to be incredible when, no joke, 2 minutes after walking into the hotel (Monday night around 9 PMish) I see Marat Safin stroll past my room! Of course, I raced up to him, without thinking twice; luckily, at the same time, another lady was there and asked for a pic first, so I wasn't the only one embarrassing myself. I took one for her and she returned the favor. (This is all happening just as he's about to go into the elevator. He's with a pretty blonde, who's holding the elevator door open for him and smiling at all of the attention he's getting.) Marat is gigantic in real life, by the way. After the fact, I realized that he had just lost his 1st round match to Dima; considering that, he was awfully gracious to take the time to please us needy fans.
Post #2 ("First Night"):
Just a little while after meeting Marat, I took a pic with Dr. Ivo - most hilarious pic ever since I look like I'm his child. Then, hotel bar time. (We went to the bar each night, and can I tell you that those experiences were SO enlightening. Changed the way I looked at some of the players.)
First, we walk past Julien Benneteau. Then, we see Hott Sauce. And my goodness, he couldn't have a more appropriate name. In that moment, I'm wondering if I should go over and ask for a pic or wait until he's done eating/drinking. My decision is made for me when I see him turn away two people who ask for his pic. I realize later that it's really best to leave the guys alone when they're in that kind of environment. Side note: Hott Sauce smells fantastic. (I promise I'm not creepy.)
Next, look who walks in - Feli. Pretty sure if there's anyone who can out-hott Hott Sauce, it's Feli. Gorgeous in real life. Almost untouchable, that's how attractive he is. He and his friends proceed to go over to a table with these two young girls and they buy them drinks and start chatting. Clearly, I wasn't about to ask for a pic during any of this, so we leave the bar and head to the business center to check e-mail. I'm totally in a bad mood at this point, cursing the missed opportunities and wishing I had gotten even closer (I know - how greedy am I). Those thoughts quickly vanish when only minutes later, I see Feli and his friend walk past the room. I leap out of my chair and out the door and ask for a pic. He's very sweet and obliges. His friend jokes, "Do you want one with me, too?" and I mutter something about being an equal opportunity picture-taker. Smooth. Anyway, I get my pic, and I'm endlessly happy.
Keep in mind that this all happened in the first 3-4 hours of being in Cincy.
Post #3 ("Impressions"):
It was almost more fun to watch the practice sessions than the actual matches since we could get so close. Shirtless EVERYONE because it was boiling hot (and/or because these guys are hams ;)).
Hmmm ... what else did I glean from the practices. Dima hit a few balls to us fans watching him so clearly I grabbed one. Muzzah has a mouth - dropped f-bombs all over the place! (No kids around, I hoped.) I felt like Marat and I were stalking each other because every time I sauntered over to the practice courts, he'd show up. He was always out there! Fed-Rafa practiced on adjacent courts at the same time TWICE - on both Tuesday and Wednesday. (Orchestrated? I kid.)
I loved watching matches on Grandstand. No assigned seating meant I was practically at court-level. The best match I caught there was probably Andreev-Steps on Tuesday night.
I was tense during Robby-Fed, no doubt ... but for whatever reason, I find that watching tennis live is less stressful than watching it on TV/ATP feed/whatever. Maybe because I didn't have commentators in my ear? Or maybe I was just so appreciative of the experience that I didn't much care about the end result? Whatever the case, I really enjoyed every minute of that match, even when it got heart-stoppingly close to ending in disaster (for me, anyway)!
Post #4 ("TMF"):
Tuesday. I watched Fed practice vs. Bolelli. Rafa was hitting right next to him (with Feli) and snuck several glances at his arch rival! I was pressed up against the fence, right next to a fellow with a Swiss flag and a couple of lovely ladies who I imagine met through RF.com, one of whom came all the way from Singapore! (We all ended up exchanging numbers and e-mails. Tennis (and Fed) bringing the world together. :)) Since he was playing Robby later that day, he didn't take any time to sign autographs after the 1/2 hour practice. I was disappointed, yes ... but more giddy than anything!
Wednesday. Fed was slated to practice at 5 PM on a court with bleachers, so I knew that given the time and the setting I was about to be mobbed. I set up camp a little after 3:30 in the front row (early bird gets the worm, right?). Earlier, I changed into my "Got Federer?" t-shirt and had Federbear out. Gotta be prepared. (Some of the kids were looking at me funny. I think they were freaked out ... rightfully so, perhaps.) Before I knew it, the bleachers were packed. Kids were sitting on the ground up against the fence in front of the first row of bleachers, too.
