The TMS Cincinnati you didn't see on TV

[TennisHack]

Well, after voraciously rereading the threads about the tournament I attended, my excitement for the trip was renewed and I couldn't leave tonight without at least beginning my tales of TMS Cincy. To do that, I need to lay some background info on the grounds, and some of the nicknames I used in my notes.

First of all, the tennis complex is in the ritzy ditzy part of Mason, OH, a suburb of Cincinnati proper. We stayed in Cincy itself, practically the heart of downtown, so this is what greeted me the first day we drove out (qualifying day #1).

The directions to the parking lot said get on "Golf Center Drive" from "Fairview Parkway" so obviously there's a golf theme going on. But no way would I have imagined driving to the parking lot through a subdivision, which was built on a golf course! It was too surreal. I mean, these houses just seemingly randomly placed on a gigantic golf course. And of course the houses where small and right next to each other on perfectly manicured lawns, the dead giveaway that these people had more money than they knew what to do with, but I digress. So we drive through the subdivision and go into the golf center. Apparently the tennis complex is just sprawled in the middle, because the parking lot was actually a lush, green, grassy knoll of some sort (so you can imagine when it rained it was a complete mudpit, but more on that later).

It wasn't a bad hike from my lot (ticket packages parked separately from single session and day pass people) to the entrance. In fact, we had our own entrance, away from the main gate to the public, it was pretty cool

Center Court and Grandstand were connected by the indoor press box, and also by the players' complex, which was located in Center Court. Courts 9 & 10 were behind the Grandstand and served as practice courts for the whole week. Courts 5-8 were all lined up next to each other next to the main entrance, and Court 4 is also right there. Court 3 was a small stadium court adjoining Court 4. But basically, everything was right near everything else except Courts 9 & 10.

The best part about Cincy, though, is the so-termed "big board". This is a huge electronic board that was located right next to the players' entrance to the grounds (and subsequently, entrance to the players' lounge) that had all the matches of the day, but it scrolled all the practice times and courts. I knew the second I saw it that I was going to be spending a lot of time there. It was updated throughout the day, so you could go there immediately and get a whole days' worth of practices, which made it so much easier to plan the day

And, since it was right next to the players' entrance, it was an excellent place to stargaze and also sneak peaks at the tournament transportation. Apparently the tourney gave some of the players (Ferrero, definitely) cars to drive to and from the grounds to their hotel. I'm talking, new model Benzes, the players' lot was full of them

Also 2 terms that will pop up frequently in my writings: "Flag Man", who I have now discovered is this guest of Schuettler and/or Schalken and "Ball Magnet", who was a linesman who kept getting hit with balls.

I kept a little book of notes and my thoughts that I wrote as if I was typing them directly up to you guys. I wrote practice reports, match reports, crowd reports I kept track of my pictures as well, so I can give you an official picture count as well if you'd like

A bit of forewarning for the guys on the board: after seeing Jarkko for the first time, my week quickly started to revolve around him and his matches & practices. There will also be some drooling about various players but I'll try to keep it at a minimum

[TennisHack]

PRACTICE COURT SESSIONS--Saturday, 8/9

10 am
Court 5: Moodie/Chang
Court 6: Lee/Kafelnikov
Court 7: Hewitt/Ferreira
Court 8: Fruttaro/Ram
Court 9: doubles (someone I didn't care about enough to name )
Court 10: Black/Schalken


11 am
Court 5: Ancic & 3 others
Court 6: Gaudio/Corretja
Court 7: Chang/Gambill
Court 8: Coria/Guga
Court 9: Grosjean/Clement
Court 10: Nieminen/Enqvist/Verkerk/Mathieu


12 noon
Court 5: doubs
Court 6: Chela/Lapentti
Court 7: Moya & 3 others
Court 8: Youzhny & 3 others
Court 9: Martin/Lee/Sargsian
Court 10: Schalken/Ljubicic


1 pm
Court 5: Verdasco/Luczak
Court 6: Costa/Mantilla
Court 7: Stepanek/Novak
Court 8: Moya/Calleri
Court 9: Vicente/Spadea
Court 10: Vanek/Zib


**I should mention that I didn't see the main draw for the singles until I got there Saturday morning. I still don't know why Bjorkman didn't play singles I didn't see the doubles draw until Monday because the draw sheets were pffffft

I'll never forget my first memory of Cincy. After noting the practice times, I decided I'd start my week by watching Yevgeny Kafelnikov practice. He's always been a old sentimental favorite of mine (I didn't really follow tennis when he was in his prime, unfortunately) and what better way to start the day?

There is a walkway between Court 6 & Court 7 where spectators could stand and watch the practices. Court 5 had seating, and you could sit on the grass outside of Court 8 but it wasn't very comfortable. So, I head off for the walkway. I still remember clearly seeing Kafel through the green tarp around the fence. Somehow, it was the best beginning I could have hoped for.

So, I went to see Zhenya practice with Hyung-Taik Lee. On the other side of the walkways was Potato and Wayne Ferreira. Yes, I did say "Potato" in Hewitt's presence, but of course nobody got it (unless Zhenya was paying attention to me ). From there on out I called all the players by the nicknames we use for them here. My mother, who went with me, got quite the lesson and I think maybe she thinks I'm nuts

Anyway. Zhenya loves to be watched. He practices shirtless and fully enjoys the attention he receives, and he definitely drew quite a crowd. He was joking with Ferreira's coach across the walkway, asking him, "So, have you paid your bills, old man?" after asking about his weight Too funny. But anyway, my first pics are of Zhenya. Also noticed that Lee has a very soft serve, he doesn't appear to put much on it, pace or spin.

I left about 10:45 to head over to Courts 9 & 10 to see Schalken then the other Scandinavian boys and who do I see but Jarkko! He was alone (the only time I saw him alone the whole week, practically), and walking from another direction. I was a hair's breadth away from asking him for a picture right there but decided to not have all my fun right away Jarkko immediately shed his shirt and put on some sunblock. He was joined soon after by the others who were going to practice with him and they played some sort of game in the stands while they waited.

con'd

[TennisHack]

I turned my attention to Schalken and Wayne Black, who was in qualifying for singles. Black hits very, very hard! He's quite quick around the court but has an intensity I couldn't even sense in Potato. Grosjean and Clement walk up to Court 9 and wait for the court. They have their coaches with them and are speaking to everyone in French and English

Grosjean/Clement
Both took the court and were in quite good spirits. I found it most amusing that neither Sebby nor Arnaud took off their shirts, but their coaches whipped theirs off! A lot of the coaches did that, whether they should have or not (Zabaleta's coach: definitely NOT, but more on that later). Sebby & Clement were immediately joking around as they began to hit. Clement kept crying, "Yoohoo!", like "Woohoo!" as he hit the shots. I took some pics of both for the Clement fans but needless to say, my attention was drawn elsewhere . . .

Nieminen/Enqvist/Verkerk/Mathieu
Verkerk and Enqvist hit and Jarkko & PHM hit, splitting the court. Tha Face (Verkerk) saves his faces for the courts, mainly, though in one of the pics I took of Jarkko he's giving me a weird look Jarkko & Face were shirtless while Enqvy and PHM were a bit more modest Jarkko mainly worked on his backhands (one and two handed). He got more frustrated as the practice went on, but I thought he was hitting rather well, considering it was the first day of practice. Mathieu's coach kept looking into the crowd, sort of like, "Why aren't you paying attention to MY charge?" Jarkko and his coach had quite a few discussions, but where on the other side of the court from me so I couldn't hear them. PHM and coach kept standing in front of me so they could watch Face & Enqvy practice and I guess ruin my pictures ;D Jarkko was very frustrated because his transition game from baseline to net was not working; he hit an approach but can't finish off the short ball. He screamed in frustration at one point. After his first return practice point, he sank down to the court on the opposite side from me and his coach ruffled his hair as if to give him a bit of comfort. For most of the practice I was very self conscious because I had been snapping pictures all the time, and focusing my attention on him, and I hoped I hadn't been the cause of his frustrations.

I watched Jarkko & Enqvist almost exclusively. Jarkko continued to have problems with his running shots and banged his racquet against another tarped wall.

con'd

[TennisHack]

RAIN DELAY: 1 pm and counting:

It started raining at 1 pm, then stopped long enough for the courts to be dried before the big storm came. It's 2:15 now and there's no end in sight.

Moya/Calleri were supposed to practice at 1, and I passed them on the way to the big board to check times. They were walking out like they were going to the practice court even though it was starting to rain. As we looked at the scrolling messages on the board, some kids came up beside me and were talking amongst themselves. One of them said, "Hey, is that Coria? Yeah, that's Coria!" then took off after him with one of those big balls. I looked over and sure enough, it was Coria, walking towards the Grandstand. He didn't have anything with him, so maybe he just came out of the locker room

We walked around a bit during the first rain delay, then I saw some players I didn't recognize Now, back to Jarkko:

After his practice session, he and his coach had a long discussion, 10 minutes. I could sort of hear them but didn't understand, of course (appeared to be communicating in Swedish). At one point his coach pointed (it seemed right at me! ) and I hope that someone (me) constantly watching him was not the cause of his trials today. After the 10 minute pep talk, he got up and slowly walked aroudn to come off the court. He was right in front of me but looked so dejected I dare not say anything. I should have gone up to him when I saw him as we were going to watch Schalken but I didn't. I wasn't nervous, more excited and at a loss of words. Hopefully he will have another practice session tomorrow and I can try again (aye, how naive I was on the first day, hehe!)

Since it's still raining, they are showing Federer-Roddick on the big screen in the dining tent. Big ups to Schuettler for upsetting Agassi!

At 3:45, we stand near the big board and make note of who's walking around near the players' entrance.

Coming in:
Fabrice Santoro
Gustavo Kuerten -- in flip flops ;D and someone immediately stopped him for a pic, which he happily obliged
Wayne Arthurs -- All Serve No Shots may not be that great of a player but dude can wear a pair of jeans!
Juan Ignacio Chela
Robby Ginepri & Minnie Driver -- were leaving the lounge. Minnie Driver was stopped for an autograph but no one paid attention to her boytoy
Mario Ancic walking around -- his match was delayed by the rain so I guess he's antsy?
someone who looks like Corretja (later determined to be Calleri's hitting partner)
Prakash Amritraj walks by several times
Albert Costa -- leaving, chatting on his cell phone
Juan Carlos Ferrero -- leaving, phone in hand as well, but he stops to sign autographs
Gaston Gaudio -- off to practice
PHM -- off to practice
Stefan Koubek -- off to his qualy match
Alexander Popp -- arriving from practice

con'd (LOL, the qualifying weekend was the longest of the days, so this will take a few posts. and I haven't even gotten to the qualifying matches!)

[Lee]

Wow!!!!!!!!

Guga the beach bum ;D

[Layla]

Oh gosh, this is so much more exciting than Umag! So many players to see!

Fantastic report! You have a great eye for detail. It's great that you were so diligent in writing your notes.

LOL @ Arnaud! Actually, yoohoo is what you would say in Slovenia as well. The woohoo thing I picked up on the internet.

I see you had no problems locating the stargazing hub. Wow, the big board showed practice matches! That's so great. I had to roam around the courts and hope my timing didn't suck too badly, impossible to plan anything, even my swimming breaks.

I'm sure Jarkko wasn't frustrated because you were watching him and snapping pics. If anything, he must have been pleased he has such a great fan. The coach was probably pointing at something else.

[Dissident]

Thanks Hackie. Great stuff. Not that we didnt know it would be, anyway.

I agree with Layla. They were probaly pointing at you and saying "Damn, despite the awesome support of that girl, I still cant hit it right!"

[vaiva]

Great report, Hackie, to set us really hungry for more
It sounds like you were very busy on the tennis complex and must have seen lots of Jarkko. Do you think the experiences will keep your batteries charged until your next tourney?

Anyways, keep the reports comming

[RogiFan]

Wow! Such detail! I s have made notes too but I was too busy manipulating my camera and my videocam at the same time while gazing upon tennis players...

I do have a tiny few seconds of Jarkko on my video... sadly no pix though

Love the setup of the place, Hackie... v interesting! You had parking passes for the week? That's what I need in TO... think you have to buy then entire week's tix to get it... I better investigate NOW!

Love the big screen... that's what we need and what my sis and I noted... a suggestion for the new tennis ctre next yr...

You were v lucky to get your pic w Jarkko... the prob in Montreal was that my faves Rogi and Juanqui were slam winners and were protected by security, thus making it impossible to get nr them... you had to be either tall, aggressive or both!!

Awaiting your next instalments... esp any reports of my guapo ALEX!!! How dare he skip Canada... I am longing to meet him... anyone I know who has says he and Marta are so nice...

Also, any Rogi encounters???

[TennisHack]

Well, glad you guys are enjoying detail because I have a lot of detail. I wrote about everything I saw. But to continue . . .

Still on Saturday

4:25 pm Play resumes

Q1: Salzenstein vs Dupuis
Went to the Grandstand to wait for Mario's match. Came in at 6-3, 1-0 Salzensetin. Salzenstein is a lefty with a big serve. Dupuis, the wily French veteran, has more of a ground game. He likes to run around his backhand, and it is noticeably weaker.

4-all second set: Dupuis double faults then misses a forehand and looks amazed. He appears to be giving up almost. Salzenstein gets to deuce then commits 2 stupid errors to lose the game.

2-1 second set tiebreak: Dupuis gets a bad line call. The serve looked out to me (I was sitting on the baseline) but the return was definitely good. 3-1 for Salzenstein. Dupuis wins the set anyway, further delaying Ancic's arrival on court.

Dupuis has the curious habit of always wanting the balls on the server's side of the court when he's NOT serving. He will get the balls and hit them over the net after the points. It got quite annoying after a few games.

2 double faults in the opening game of the third set yield 2 break points, and an unlucky netchord gives on the first chance. Dupuis' determination, so solid after arguing in the tiebreak, goes down as he is broken.

Final result: (Q1) Salzenstein d. Dupuis 6-3, 6-7, 6-3


Q1: Ancic vs Vanek
At first glance, you'd never know it was Vanek who was the claycourt specialist and Ancic who had success on hard and faster courts. Vanek hits very hard and crisp, clean, while Ancic has long, loopy shots with heavy topspin. Vanek misfires more often, however.

Ancic still breathes like a racehorse, even exhaling on his opponent's serve, as if he had served himself. (I saw some of you commenting on this in the thread -- his breathing is an extreme exaggeration of how tennis players breathe to help them hit through the ball). He has good footwork, but because he is so tall, he looks very awkward.

As the first set wears on, Ancic's serve begins to pick up speed, but it's also obvious he needs to come in more. Vanek is cutting him off A LOT, hence the break of serve early in the set. Mario loses the first set 6-4 behind one break of serve. He is very angry and frustrated with himself.

Mario has 4 double faults in a very long opening game, second set. He has practically no first serve to speak of and he's staying back way too much.

Ancic gives himself a pep talk at 1-2 down and comes back to break and level the set. He goes down 2 break points in his own game (and swears very loudly in Croatian) but holds on to take the lead for the first time.

Ancic is broken on a double fault in his next service game. He's still not coming in enough! He can't win from the baseline; Vanek is like Rainer-Schuettler-lite out there. Another storm is brewing, however, so this ould be a reason why Mario fell back into his frustration.

Vanek has that nasty spitting habit, as well. But, he spat and fought his way to a relatively easy victory over Ancic.

Final result: (Q1) Vanek d. Ancic 6-4, 6-4

[ILR]

excellent ;D Sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for these reports so far and looking forward to some more. You didn't collar Jarkko 1st time! I would be too scared that I might not be able to see him again!I can't wait to hear about your next encounter

[TennisHack]

(Evening) PRACTICE COURT SESSIONS--Saturday, 8/9

6 pm
Court 5: Mantilla/Blake/Ferrero
Court 6: Srichaphan/Ljubicic
Court 7: Lapentti/Gonzalez
Court 8: Moya/Clement

7 pm
Court 3: Vicente
Court 4: Zabaleta
Court 5: Schalken/Calleri
Court 6: Hanescu/Stepanek/Novak
Court 7: Enqvist/Costa
Court 9: Coria
Court 10: Verkerk

7:30 pm
Court 8: Kuerten

8 pm
Grandstand: Chang
Court 5: Vicente
Court 10: Black/Ullyett


After Ancic's match, we walked back to the big board to update the winners of the quali matches. That's when I realized there were night practices. Juan Carlos was scheduled to practice at 6, and by the time we got to the board it was 7:30. I knew Ferrero was already there but I didn't know he was going to practice that night! So, I was disappointed that I didn't get to see him. BUt, we went to the practice courts anyway to see who was there. I saw Chela & Hueberger working together, and Calleri, who was scheduled to practice with Schalken. But, it wasn't Schalken he was with -- it was JUANQUI! They were starting the second half of their session, and they played a set with a tiebreak. Ferrero, Antonio Martinez, and Ferrero's hitting partner all had on the Equelite shirts, so that was cool The horde of young girls, including some tournament volunteers, were crowded next to the entrance to the court. We wormed our way through the crowd and sat down -- as luck would have it, right behind Ferrero's and Calleri's chairs! I could almost reach out and touch Juan Carlos. He is absolutely gorgeous in person, and he isn't as small as everyone made him out to be. His representation on TV is quite accurate as far as his build goes.

Ferrero & Calleri spoke Spanish, of course, and some people sitting behind us also spoke Spanish and were interpreting their comments. They were joking around, of course, about their serves and strokes, etc etc. Juan Carlos's forehand was giving him fits, but it wasn't as bad as Jarkko. A couple of times when the players came to sit down, Calleri's coach chatting with the people behind us. The weather was threatening to be bad again, thundering and getting dark, but the clouds eventually moved on. At one point, Juan Carlos looked back at the people behind us and at the sky. If I hadn't been so chicken, I would have taken a picture of him. But I was too shy.

They finished their hour, then left. Calleri went first, then Ferrero braved the hordes. He's become an expert autograph signer, moving with the crowd. He didn't say a word, very quiet all the time. Of course I took tons of pictures of Ferrero's practice, as well as him with the crowds

After Juanqui left, I was getting ready to leave as well. The practice courts were emptying for the night, except one on the far end (Court 8). It was Guga! Just working with Larri (who has shaved his head). I went over and watched for a minute as he practiced overheads, then took a picture and left. I had a massive headache from not eating for 8 hours. One last look at the big board and we left for the night.

And to cap off the perfect day, just found out Agassihole won't be here!! It was all over the local news. I jumped for joy

[Lee]

Thanks the report. I really enjoy the one on quali where I can get to know some less know players on the tour!

Larri's head is always shaved ;D

[TennisHack]

PRACTICE COURT SESSIONS--Sunday, 8/10

9 am
Grandstand: Vanek/Zib/Salzenstein/Moodie
Court 3: Hanescu/Arazi
Court 4: Kendrick
Court 5: Massu
Court 6: Ram/Amritraj
Court 7: Friedl/Cermak
Court 8: Novak/Stepanek
Court 9: Hewitt
Court 10: Ferreira/Costa

10 am
Center: Koubek/Draper/Okun/Popp
Court 4: Llodra/Santoro
Court 5: El Aynaoui/Calleri
Court 6: Philippoussis/Gonzalez
Court 7: Nieminen/Kafelnikov
Court 8: Clement/Verkerk
Court 9: Hewitt/Luczak
Court 10: Grosjean/Henman


The first thing I did was take a picture with Jarkko. I checked the big board to see practice times and, remembering how distraught he was after his practice yesterday, I decided to stop him before he went out on court. I saw him come in to put his stuff down, then waited very nervously for him to come out to practice. He came out with his coach and I let them pass me, then ran after him (damn shyness!). I called his name twice, to no response, then went up right beside him and asked, "Jarkko, will you take a picture with me?" He was talking to his coach, so I hated to interrupt, but I knew this would probably be my last chance. He said, "Yeah" and his coach left to the practice court.

He stood next to me (no arm, I was on the wrong side ). My camera's batteries were dying, so my mother had to take the equivalent of 3 pictures before one took. Those of you who frequent Finnish Athletes United! here might appreciate this Though he didn't put his arm around me, he did press up to me, 3 different times as my mom fumbled with the camera. I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't just as flustered about the whole deal. So I guess the Finns are touchy feely

Anyway, I had to make sure it took before my batteries died. I was quite flustered and nervous and I apologized. Jarkko asked if it took, and I said yes and showed it to him. I thanked him and he went to the practice court. My only regret is that I only looked him in the eye once, when I finally managed to get his attention to ask. Apparently when I asked him, he looked down at my bag in search of my camera, so I missed an opportunity! Damn! Oh, well.

My mom ran off to find some batteries, and I stopped one short of Jarkko's court so he wouldn't think I was following him He ran off the court as he waited for those in front of him to finish and he passed me (narrow corridors, I'm telling you!). I almost apologized but didn't. He passed me again on his way back but I didn't realize it was him until he passed me. My eyes stayed glued to Mantilla the whole time.

con'd

[TennisHack]

Philippoussis & Gonzo are practicing on Court 6 across from Zhenya & Jarkko on Court 7. Clement is also in the distance (Court 8). Gonzo's knee is still strapped, but he appears to be okay in the warmup. Now to the task at hand

Well, the battery replacements died, so no pictures of Jarkko, Zhenya, Scud, or Clement But, I did get a pleasant surprise. In the retail tent, they were selling posters, and they had a huge stack of Michel/Volkl posters so my mom got me one. Micha is the one I wanted to see when I went to the tournament in the first place, and I did get to see him after all plus I finally have a proper poster of him.

Scud grunts louder than he hits, so its rather amusing to watch. You can totally tell he's using the psych-out. Gonzo disappeared, though, but his hitting partner is hitting with Philippoussis. Sorry I couldn't get any pictures Mark has a Florida accent but his dad was speaking in Greek to him.

Oh, and while I was waiting for the batteries, Clement walked right by me. So did Zhenya, who made a show of ducking into the trees to get around us. He's such an ass, LOL

Nieminen/Kafelnikov
Jarkko appears to be having a better practice than yesterday. I heard his coach say as they passed that "it doesn't matter how hard you hit the ball as long as you hit through it." He appears to be working on coming into net more, working on his transition game. He has very nice volleys

Gonzo completely disappeared, no idea where he went. Scud practiced with Gonzo's hitting partner for about 1/2 hour then called it a day.

Jarkko is very quick. He looks thinner and more in shape than he did even in Miami in March, when lokon saw him. He's definitely put in some work in the gym.

Yevgeny isn't have as good a day. His groundies are frequently finding the net.

Schalken walked in to use the practice court Scud vacated, and stopped to watch Zhenya & Jarkko for a moment.

Corretja came in and ran across the court Zhenya & Jarkko were playing points on. Mathieu is also watching this practice with quite a bit of interest. Corretja went to practice by himself on the far court, Court 5. Like an ass, he just entered Court 8 and ran across all the courts

con'd

[TennisHack]

Schalken is practicing with Enqvist. Damn, I wish they had put up a longer schedule! It appears this is a very good practice for Jarkko. He hurried off the court with Zhenya to work with Paradorn. Mathieu is now with Zhenya. (At this point my notes get really hurried and fast, LOL)

Okay, I went to Court 5 so I could sit. Jarkko-Paradorn are on the far court (8), Zhenya-Mathieu (7), then Enqvist-Schalken (6) and Corretja and Chela are right in front of us. Corretja's racquet is strung really loose. He's barely hitting these serves as he warms up and it makes a weird sound.

Corretja is not having the best of practices. He keeps misfiring on his groundies and it almost appears as if Chela's power is too much for him. You can definitely tell he is best on clay; his long, loopy footsteps and slides aren't enough to keep up with Chela.

Schalken is a practice machine! He had 3 practices scheduled yesterday and is back out on Court at 11 am today with Enqvist, who undoubtedly is happy to see Mantilla intead of Agassi in the first round.

Nieminen/Srichaphan
I join Jarkko-Paradorn match after the other two players leave ( there were two others warming up with them. HAVE to check the big board, I feel so lost without it!) Anyway, now Jarkko & Paradorn are playing points by themselves.

Paradorn is very aggressive. He hits very hard and always wants to go on the offensive. That's what Jarkko appears to be working on himself. He's mixing it up more. His coach speaks to him in English and Swedish.

It appears Jarkko has more trouble with players that hit very hard, like Sricha. He has a harder time handling the pace. He's a bit more frustrated in this practice than the one with Zhenya. He falls into that trap of trying to match power with power instead of mixing it up more. He just served & came in and won the point . . . twice in a row!

While watching Jarkko & Sricha, I see Coria coming into the center court with another player I don't recognize.

As Jarkko's practice ends, who shows up but FERRERO! I need to get batters for my camera, and now!

So I ran off to find batteries, and we finally found some. I stopped by the big board, but it wasn't working I missed Jarkko, Scud, Schalken, Enqvist, Corretja, but I will get Juan Carlos!

con'd

[TennisHack]

Ferrero/Zabaleta
Juan Carlos is practing with Zabaleta. On the next court over is Youzhny & Acasuso (7). Coria is on Court 6. The stupid big board not working has messed up everything. I'm happy I was able to watch Jarkko but I wish I could have taken some pictures, too!

Zab is a fiery young lad to say the least. Now they are playing sets, and Zab is furious for serving numerous double faults. He's quite loud on court and only gets louder as he gets more frustrated. Martinez also talking to Juanqui but he is quiet, as per usual. He hardly says a word, and having a huge audience to see him practice doesn't seem to phase him.

Jarkko's practice match was good, too bad I didn't see the end. I'm sure he's happy I left, he kept looking at me as I tried to watch his practices. Hope he doesn't feel stalked! Court 8 you are so close to the players. Ferrero's hitting partner also keeps shooting looks at me. Ugh, I just wanted to be a fan!

Juan Carlos seems to be playing pretty well, a good morning workout against such a hard hitter. The pictures will be blurry because of the fence but hopefully they will turn out. He hits so hard! And the backhand that I love so much is even more beautiful to see in person.

(Excuse the jumble of my notes ). We found batteries, finally. I saw Ferrero walk on court as Paradorn & Jarkko were finishing up, and I couldn't take it anymore. We ran all the way to the other side of the GrandStand Court and found a little boot with batteries. It was $6 for 4 batteries, but I was distraught. I dashed back to Court 8 to watch Ferrero practice. He was quite good vs Zabaleta. I'm just amazed at how calm he stays. He is the ultimate professional. There was quite a crowd gathered to watch.

Zab was recieving a lot of coach as he played, but I think he still lost the practice set. As the practice was ending, Nikolay Davydenko walked into the court. That guy is PALE!! You'd think with as much time as the guys spend in the sun . . . As I wondered who he was practicing with, in walks Carlos Moya, racquets in one hand, overgrips fluttering in the breeze in the other He spoke to Zabaleta, then Juan Carlos. I took that opportunity to go around to the side of the court where the players entered/exited. There was already a big crowd gathering, waiting for our guy He and Moya continued to chat in Spanish as Martinez gathered the balls from practice. He went out first, then Juan Carlos was assaulted. I took some pictures. In this time, he continued to be ever calm, ever cool, never really hurried. He stuck his head back in the door and continued to talk with Carlos, it was funny Davydenko was trying to get Carlos's attention but he was too busy talking to his friend.

I was going to leave to check the big board again, so I followed the chaos. Poor Juanqui. Court 8 is so far away and there's only a narrow corridor. He was stopped several times, enough for me to get in front of him (though I was still behind his practice partner). Someone even tried to interview Ferrero on camera! He turned the guy down of course. It was kinda surreal. Anyway, I emerged from the corridor and Ferrero cut closer to the wall to get back in front of me. I continued to follow him and he signed autographs, but I veered off to the big board. Ferrero was stopped for a picture and the crowd out by Center Court spotted him. He handles the crowd quite well. Jarkko's the same way, or at least he was the same with me. He was very nice and patient.

con'd

[TennisHack]

PRACTICE COURT SESSIONS--Sunday, 8/10

12 noon
Court 4: Gambill/Mantilla
Court 5: Coria/Robredo
Court 6: Ginepri/Spadea
Court 7: Acasuso/Youzhny
Court 8: Zabaleta/Ferrero
Court 9: Rusedski/Lee
Court 10: Ljubicic/Blake


1 pm
Court 5: Grosjean/Lopez
Court 7: doubs
Court 8: Moya/Davydenko
Court 9: Lee/Kunitsyn
Court 10: Verkerk/Stepanek


2 pm
Court 4: Moya
Court 5: Amritraj
Court 6: Henman
Court 7: Vacek/Kucera
Court 9: Arthurs/Hanley
Court 10: Gonzalez


3 pm
Chang/Srichaphan
Court 5: Ginepri/Vahaly
Court 6: Calleri/Costa/Fish/Ancic
Court 9: Etlis/Rodriguez
Court 10: Ram/Vanek


4 pm
Court 3: Lapentti
Court 4: Vahaly/Youzhny
Court 5: Chela/Massu
Court 6: Corretja
Court 7: Moya/Schalken
Court 9: Ljubicic/Ferrero
Court 10: doubles


5 pm
Grandstand: Gambill
Court 3: Vicente
Court 4: Zabaleta
Court 5: Coria
Court 6: Kuerten/Kucera
Court 7: Gambill/Acasuso
Court 9: Gaudio
Court 10: Mantilla

Anyway, the only bad thing about practice courts is there's no place to sit, so I decided to get some lunch and rest my poor feet before heading to the practice courts again. Corretja, Moya, and Guga (and Schalken AGAIN) are going to be out tonight.

Ferrero is scheduled for Court 9, but since I've seen him twice and the others none, I'll make the sacrifice for you guys

con'd

[TennisHack]

We got bored watching Federer-Roddick again so decided to go to the players' entrance to see who's coming and going. We arrive just in time to see Jarkko leaving (presumably, for the day). He signed a few autographs then departed, Raccoon boy (aka Massu) right behind him. I look up to see Juan Carlos arriving. He's driving one of the new Benzes, or at least he was today. Silver spectacular ;D (I snuck up and took a pic of it so you guys could see, how crazy am I?)

Ancic & Vahaly headed for the practice courts. Mario took a pic and signed some autos. Calleri also headed out. The players' entrance has become the home of autograph hounds. Robby Ginepri also headed out, sans girlfriend this time. Tha Face headed in and Costa came out, close enough to touch. Verkerk headed off the grounds soon after, signing autos along the way. Davydenko signed autos as he headed into the lounge. He's very pale and looks older than 21. Paradorn heads for practice, father trailing. Chela & unidentified player leave. Chela is so tall and soooooo skinny. I guess its his practice clothes. Kucera also walked by within touching distance.

Even Lips (Stepanek) was asked for autographs. Lapentti wanders in, model girlfriend in tow, 45 minutes before his practice. Kucera's in and out some more as well. Amy Martin (Todd Martin's wife) gets help lifting her baby carriage down the steps of the players' entrance and she's engulfed by tournament officials. Dupuis is wandering around the grounds, and we hypothosize that since he's lost in qualifying, first round, he's looking for some groupies ;D (Found out later that it's a regular custom for players to stick around after they've lost to practice with everyone else.)

And for you Lapentti fans, I stopped into Court 3 to get some pics before moving onto the Corretja/Moya/Schalken contingent. But, he decided he was too good to practice, I guess, so Schuettler came out intead! Fresh from Canada and what a surprise!

Schuettler went out on court and hit for 20 minutes straight before taking a water break -- and it is quite warm out here, direct sunlight. I can hear him talking to his coach and hitting partner (later identified as Nenad Zimonjic). The hitting partner says he is strong for lasting so long in Canada and now he doesn't have jet lag and is already practicing. Schuettler just shook his head modestly

con'd

[Lee]

Did you take lots of pic of Schuettler, if so, I'm glad Lapentti didn't practice. ;D ;D

[ILR]

Its typical of him though! model g/f with him, doesn't practice. Maybe if he did he might do better! (ouch )

[RogiFan]

ILR said:

Its typical of him though! model g/f with him, doesn't practice. Maybe if he did he might do better! (ouch )

I heard that this GF has quite the figure... ahem... up front that is!!

Rogi definitely was without Mirka in Montreal...

[ILR]

RogiFan said:

I heard that this GF has quite the figure... ahem... up front that is!!

Rogi definitely was without Mirka in Montreal...

yeh? Well I've seen pics of one of his model g/f's not so long ago but I dont know if she's the latest catch with him!

[Lee]

ILR said:

yeh? Well I've seen pics of one of his model g/f's not so long ago but I dont know if she's the latest catch with him!

The same one in TMS Miami or Indian Wells?

[ILR]

Lee said:

The same one in TMS Miami or Indian Wells?

Oh Im not sure! What colour is her hair? He's such a slut

[Lee]

I'm not sure whether this is the one as her front is not quite loaded . OK I think I remember where I saw her pic. Go digging!

[TennisHack]

LOL, I'll answer all your questions when I finish up my Sunday reports (they just keep coming! I saw a lot of people and it was the SHORTEST day of the week ).

I hurried over to see Moya/Schalken and Corretja and took many pictures. Schalken is definitely growing on me. He does a great model pose with Aquafina, LMAO!

They are doing some sort of promotional ad on Court 8 with Srichaphan. The photographer was Aussie but that doesn't mean the ad will be of course. Looks like a print ad shoot. Schalken was watching them too, hehe.

Moya drew quite a crowd for his, what, sixth practice? He's getting frustrated and cursing himself in Spanish. Schalken, like Ferrero, never shows his emotions. He's also got a beautiful one-handed backhand.

And Guga enters as Moya/Schalken leave. What luck!

As Guga begins and warms up, the 'braying' starts as well, low and soft. It gets louder as the practice goes on. Larri also grunts from the first ball struck. It's a stange sight, that groan accompanying such soft, easy shots. Obviously it's his habit to grunt from the second he hits a ball, but it's still a humourous sight

Mr. Fashionista (Koubek) is on Court 5, shirtless with his now-infamous yellow shorts. His hair is as bright as ever and of course the two yellows clash! I took a pic, of course ;D

Does Guga have some sort of supersition about staying on one side of the court during practice? I picked the wrong side to stand on so I couldn't take many pictures of him -- only when he came to net. Before Fashionista came out on Court 5, one of the seniors was playing and his partner hits a lob from between the legs that landed in. Guga watched the point and applauded, which meant his crowd applauded as well. In fact, everytime Larri collected the balls, Guga would look over the crowd that had gathered to watch him. He looked sort of like he wanted to say something, but didn't.

Guga did some backhand drills, and I watched for a moment before leaving. I went out to check the big board and the place was completely deserted It was almost surreal. The players lounge looked active still but there were no tournament people around. I wanted to get an order of play for tomorrow, so I went to the information booth and took one of the copies they had lying around. I probably wasn't supposed to do that (and indeed, I wasn't), but oh well. There was no one there to stop me.

I never watched one of Moodie's matches, but since he made the main draw I have one more chance. Also, no sign of Federer yet. I was sort of surprised to see Rainer already. When he walked on court, Mardy Fish jumped on his back, proclaiming, "Now you're all wet! I'm going to get you all wet everytime you make the semis of a Masters Series!" to which Rainer replied, "I'll lose in the quarters next time" ;D Fish had just finished practicing with Ancic which is why he was so wet.

Like I said before, he hit for a solid 20 minutes before taking a water break. Most people were filtering out of the stadium, and I felt kinda bad leaving him but what can you do. I had to see Moya and Corretja, after all. Schuettler's hitting partner mentioned trying to qualify for some events in singles and Rainer was telling him about it, encouraging him. He mentioned something about "it pushes you hard" but I couldn't hear the whole conversation, I was too far up (in the third row of the bleachers, haha). I guess itw as in English because the hitting partner appears to be either Spanish or maybe South American (turns out I was wrong, I figured out it was Zimonjic on Monday). Rainer's accent is so adorable

con'd

[Lee]

During the digging process, come across the hitting partner of Schuettler, Nenad Zimonjic.

[TennisHack]

There's something I noticed yesterday that was even more apparent today. Though the players aren't celebrities, they aren't exactly approachable, either. You still feel like an outsider looking in, a viewer into someone else's life. As you watch practices, you don't think, "Wow, I am watching 3-time RG champ Kuerten." The players are human, but not exactly personable, not to the extent that you can approach them. I wasn't really expecting that. When I saw Jarkko for the first time, all the things I had thought about saying just flew right out of my mind. Asking for a picture was suddenly a nerve-wracking thing! And I could never approach Juan Carlos.

Speaking of whom, Agassi's withdrawal was plastered all over the local news, but when they mentioned the quality of the field left, they showed a list of players' names but skipped over Ferrero everytime they read it. They mentioned he'd be the #1 seed, which was also wrong (and scared me for a moment ) But that's okay, he drew huge crowds on his own. I've already mentioned how calm he was, not to mention patient with the hordes that surrounded him.

One last mystery -- at 6 when I went to the big board, I saw Gonzo run into the players' lot! No knee wrap, no nothing. No clue why he left his practice with Scud, then. Mystery, mystery . . . and the end of Day 2!

[TennisHack]

Dissident said:

I agree with Layla. They were probaly pointing at you and saying "Damn, despite the awesome support of that girl, I still cant hit it right!"

LMAO, well, if he didn't notice me on Saturday or Sunday, he definitely knew I was there by the end of the week. Now that I'm not in that environment again I don't think it was me who was causing his bad day, but I was so self-conscious around all those beautiful people that it's hard to not turn it in on yourself.