Post by sabz on Jan 22, 2009 16:38:54 GMT 3
Waiting for the Safin Moment
Marat Safin can be counted on to produce entertainment other than his excellent tennis skills. Hardly a match goes by when he doesn’t (a) display some sort of fierce emotion, (b) say something funny or inappropriate or (c) both of the above.
Secretly, every spectator goes to a Safin match hoping for some kind of on court outburst.
Granted, it seems less likely in his first round doubles match on Margaret Court Arena against locals Adam Feeney and Robert Smeets. The atmosphere is much too relaxed for one thing.
As the players warm up, a gorilla is playing tennis in the stands. There is a meticulously coordinated Australian section in nón lá hats painted green and yellow t-shirts. They rise to sing the national anthem of their own accord, while a ballkid retrieves a mask of Barack Obama’s face that has somehow found its way onto the court, and hands it to someone in the front row.
The Australian players are wearing matching socks. Safin and his partner Argentine Guillermo Canas – who has already lost once on this court today against the speedy Fernando Gonzalez – do not match.
The match begins. A count down to a Safin moment. In the third game, Safin and Canas have a crash. Safin looks like he’s smiling. Phew, one potential disaster averted.
Meanwhile, the crowd is providing almost as much of a spectacle as the match itself. In the breaks between play, the green and gold Australian contingent are playing pass-the-parcel with an over-sized parcel to the tune of Happy Birthday.
Every oppressed cricket fan is having their day with plenty of Mexican Waves.
Across the court, a couple of girls are holding up a banner that reads “We believe in Marat Safin!” Sorry girls, I’m not sure there’s room for any more females in Marat’s entourage.
Play continues. It seems like the metaphorical fear of dying alone has been lifted off the shoulders of the players as they slap hands at the end of every point, regardless of whether it comes out in their favour. They actually appear to be enjoying themselves.
The pass-the-parcel has made its way halfway around the court. It turns out to be a recruitment tool for the green and gold. A girl opens it to find a green nón lá hat and a bright yellow t-shirt. As soon as she puts them on, the Australian brigade chants in unison: “What do we think of her? She’s alright!”
The Australians win the first set 6-4. In the first game of the second set, Safin chucks his racquet and throws his hands in the air as if to say, “What can I do?”
It feels as if a storm is brewing.
The Aussie fans are chanting:
“Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!”
Someone clearly supporting the opposition yells something in another language, then ends with “Oi! Oi Oi!”
At the beginning of the second game, Safin has a lengthy discussion with the chair umpire.
It’s coming …
In the third game, he throws his racquet high in the air.
Any minute now …
But the Australians are pulling ahead. Time’s running out.
Suddenly, it’s all over. Smeets and Feeney have raced through the second set, 6-1.
We didn’t get the moment we were looking for.
Or perhaps it just didn’t come from Safin.
Well I know Davis said this match was boring (and it probably was by the sound of things) the crowd sound hilarious lol ;D
Fingers crossed Marat will be more inspired against the smurf. Cannot wait to watch. DAVAI MARAT!!!!!!!! ;D
Marat Safin can be counted on to produce entertainment other than his excellent tennis skills. Hardly a match goes by when he doesn’t (a) display some sort of fierce emotion, (b) say something funny or inappropriate or (c) both of the above.
Secretly, every spectator goes to a Safin match hoping for some kind of on court outburst.
Granted, it seems less likely in his first round doubles match on Margaret Court Arena against locals Adam Feeney and Robert Smeets. The atmosphere is much too relaxed for one thing.
As the players warm up, a gorilla is playing tennis in the stands. There is a meticulously coordinated Australian section in nón lá hats painted green and yellow t-shirts. They rise to sing the national anthem of their own accord, while a ballkid retrieves a mask of Barack Obama’s face that has somehow found its way onto the court, and hands it to someone in the front row.
The Australian players are wearing matching socks. Safin and his partner Argentine Guillermo Canas – who has already lost once on this court today against the speedy Fernando Gonzalez – do not match.
The match begins. A count down to a Safin moment. In the third game, Safin and Canas have a crash. Safin looks like he’s smiling. Phew, one potential disaster averted.
Meanwhile, the crowd is providing almost as much of a spectacle as the match itself. In the breaks between play, the green and gold Australian contingent are playing pass-the-parcel with an over-sized parcel to the tune of Happy Birthday.
Every oppressed cricket fan is having their day with plenty of Mexican Waves.
Across the court, a couple of girls are holding up a banner that reads “We believe in Marat Safin!” Sorry girls, I’m not sure there’s room for any more females in Marat’s entourage.
Play continues. It seems like the metaphorical fear of dying alone has been lifted off the shoulders of the players as they slap hands at the end of every point, regardless of whether it comes out in their favour. They actually appear to be enjoying themselves.
The pass-the-parcel has made its way halfway around the court. It turns out to be a recruitment tool for the green and gold. A girl opens it to find a green nón lá hat and a bright yellow t-shirt. As soon as she puts them on, the Australian brigade chants in unison: “What do we think of her? She’s alright!”
The Australians win the first set 6-4. In the first game of the second set, Safin chucks his racquet and throws his hands in the air as if to say, “What can I do?”
It feels as if a storm is brewing.
The Aussie fans are chanting:
“Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!”
Someone clearly supporting the opposition yells something in another language, then ends with “Oi! Oi Oi!”
At the beginning of the second game, Safin has a lengthy discussion with the chair umpire.
It’s coming …
In the third game, he throws his racquet high in the air.
Any minute now …
But the Australians are pulling ahead. Time’s running out.
Suddenly, it’s all over. Smeets and Feeney have raced through the second set, 6-1.
We didn’t get the moment we were looking for.
Or perhaps it just didn’t come from Safin.
Well I know Davis said this match was boring (and it probably was by the sound of things) the crowd sound hilarious lol ;D
Fingers crossed Marat will be more inspired against the smurf. Cannot wait to watch. DAVAI MARAT!!!!!!!! ;D
!
)
[unlike some fans outside the arena after the match 
