Indian Wells 2005

[CaliforniaSuds]

Forgive me because I posted this question on Safinator site. I live in the LA area and I am going to get tickets for one stickin day up at Indian Wells, after I see the draw and schedule, and drive my poor ass up there and spend one damn day and night watching matches. I can't get one stinking family member or friend to go with me because they don't consider tennis a real "sport", I can't get them to turn tennis on the TV (like, during the AO) and they laugh at me. My girlfriends laugh over my little obsession with what I think is not only a superhunk, but number one player of 2005, Marat Safin. I guess I'm feeling sorry for myself in a wallow of self-pity, but IM RIGHT!!

Here's my question. How does one spend a day, and evening, watching tennis matches at Indian Wells, by oneself. I'll be sitting there, by myself, yelling, enjoying all the killer points, etc. I would appreciate all the advice I can get, or maybe even a comrade............

[sirius]

find like-minded fans and have a good time? *shrug*

[kasey]

sirius said:

find like-minded fans and have a good time? *shrug*

That's right, make Safin supporter friends and have a good time together ;D....i think its just natural to want to be friends with the people around u cheering for the same player

[CaliforniaSuds]

Egads. Im finding this sort of painful. I thought I bump into a bunch of fan telling me what to carry in my bag, if there're going to be there, how to mull my way into the best seat ... but what I got was look for Safin fans and we'll have a big luv fest. Thanks anyway,. I'm on the site, yet still feeling all alone. Poor me. I really do appreciate the help, but did you see the part about I'm not an extrovert. Should I wear a Safin fan sign on my hat so they will wave me over? Do Safin fans have curly hair or some other obviously recognizable features? I'm trying to convince myself to go to it. Is anyone else going to be there. If so, maybe will where a sign on my pink hat.

[tall_one]

CaliforniaSuds said:

Egads. Im finding this sort of painful. I thought I bump into a bunch of fan telling me what to carry in my bag, if there're going to be there, how to mull my way into the best seat ... but what I got was look for Safin fans and we'll have a big luv fest. .

a lot of the people here haven't been to a tourney, pretty hard to tell other people what to do if you haven't gone

CaliforniaSuds said:

Should I wear a Safin fan sign on my hat so they will wave me over? Do Safin fans have curly hair or some other obviously recognizable features? I'm trying to convince myself to go to it. Is anyone else going to be there. If so, maybe will where a sign on my pink hat

ummm what?! what exactly do you want people to do?

[Karen]

You don't need to find a group of Safin fans just to go watch Marat play.
I went to a match alone, found my seat and cheered for Marat, that's it. I had 2 Federer fans on one side and 2 young boys who were Safin fans on the other side. I wasn't looking for Safin fans just enjoying the match. Until it was over and the 2 young boys stepped all over me to get outside and get Marat's autograph.
Go, watch, enjoy, and when it's over follow the crowd outside and you'll see the line of ppl waiting for autographs.
Forget the pink hat and Safin signs, just go.

[maratisgr8t]

For God's sake, just go and enjoy yourself! I've been to many, many matches by myself, and have had a great time. Id rather go by myself than with some boring people I know who just sit there, never getting into the matches. If you want to get talking to anyone, hang around the practise courts, it's a good way. I always get talking to people at practise courts. And dont forget to yell nice and loudly for Safin when you're watching him like I do! There's bound to be plenty of his fans around, all getting into his match and yelling for him.

[Annie]

Same here! Even when I've been to matches with friends, it's not like you need someone to sit and talk to or anything. Trust me, when Marat's playing live in front of you, you'll feel like the only person in the stadium, even if you came with 100 friends ;D

OK, here's my suggestion, for what it's worth - between matches, check out the practices courts - that's the best and most relaxed way to meet all kinds of people, including the players themselves. Just listen to the conversations going on around you - you don't have to be watching Marat practice to find Safin fans ;D He will be mentioned a few times, I'm sure!
Re: matches, I don't know if seats are assigned at the LA tourney, or just on certain courts, but sit in on the previous match to Marat's if poss. It's great if you have a low-ranked, slightly uninteresting match before Marat's because if seats aren't assigned, you can grab a front row deal, and stay there until Marat arrives. Take a tennis magazine(s) with you and buy the big programme at the tourney- that way you can check the times of matches etc, and also they usually have little articles and interviews in them, so you can read them if you get bored.
Re: food - buy something you can eat during a match. You can't leave a court until the players sit down, and you can't return until they are sitting down. If you're not quick enough, you can miss a lot of tennis! So either bring something from home (tourney food is usually expensive anyway and long long queues) or buy something you can keep in your bag and munch on. And drinks too
Other stuff to take: camera, (and batteries - Vee! ;D) pen & something for him to autograph (if you're so inclined) - if it's hot, then the obligatory shades/cap/suncream...... it's difficult to know, since all tourneys are different and I've never been to the LA one, but that's what I would recommend baed on my own experiences

[CaliforniaSuds]

Thanks for your advice Ruth. I went all around the place, but frankly, people were kinda cold. I thought for sure people around my seat (had a nice box seat) would be conversant, but nope. I had a good time anyway (even the painful Safin match). Everyone was laughing at how loud Sharapova was, and everyone luvs Davenport. Thanks again.

[SAFINNO1]

When i have been watching this event there seems to be no life in the audience and i feel that it begins to rub on the players. not even hewitt could get himself syked up and he was playing well.
i go for hewitt or Roger to win this tournie.

[Karen]

I agree Saffino. Watching last night the stadium was not even half full. There were empty seats everywhere I couldn't believe it. And I guess I'm going to go with Federer to win this tourney.
And when did IW become a TMS event? I don't remember it from last year.

[tall_one]

Karen said:

And when did IW become a TMS event? I don't remember it from last year.

it has been a tennis masters series event for as long as they have been TMS events.
Maybe you don't remember because Marat never does well here

[Karen]

All this time I never knew it was a TMS event. That's pretty darn embarrassing. I must have been paying more attention to the whale commercials instead of Patrick McEnroe. ;D

[SAFINNO1]

i think the 1st 2 are often the most forgetful for the public.

[CaliforniaSuds]

I was also surprised about how subdued the IW crowd was, but I have to tell you, the majority of the people in the stands were old, old, old. I thought maybe it was seniors day, but then again, it was a Tuesday. They were really rooting (when there was some enthusiasm) for Taylor Dent to and kinda booed Marat when he smashed a racket or questioned a call. I really really wanted him to trash that stupid ala Hewitt hat. I'm still stunned with disappointment over this lose and my husband is laughing his ass off over my "big day" to go watch Marat play. Grrrrrrrrrr.