Post by Annie on Jun 28, 2005 19:49:15 GMT 3
Wimbledon 2001 By Zainab Nalla
Please do not use without the owners permission
The first time I met Marat was in 2001 at Wimbledon. Me and my friend had queued up since 4.00 in the morning so we could get tickets for court 2. Although we waited for ages, it was worth it! Once we got through the gates, we headed for the bridge where all the famous tennis players walk past. We kept waiting for Marat, and when we finally saw him, we both went crazy! We kept screaming out his name, but he didn't seem to notice. After watching Maray play against Knowle (well Knowle actually retired - phew!), me and my friend quickly ran back to the entrance to the changing rooms, which is surrounded by security guards! We saw Marat coming surrounded by fans and security guards, and i began to get very scared and shaky (because he was so near) but i managed to give him my ticket and pen for him to sign. Unfortunately he dropped the ticket but guess what? infront of all those fans, he tried to find it! BUT, although he tried, he didn't manage to find it, so he turned and gave me back my pen. That pen is now treasurd in a little box in my room because he, MARAT SAFIN, touched it!! I know I'm mad! But that day got better, because he kept walking past, and we began shouting his name out again, and this time he noticed. Everytime he walked past he gave us these really sweet smiles and little waves, it was so cute! He then went to get his lunch/dinner with his family and he came and sat on the table closest to us, and was facing us too. So as you can guess, me and my freind just stayed there until he finished eating and chatting to his friends.
We also went 4 days later, which was even more amazing! After queuing up for ages again, we headed for court 18 where Marat was to play Clement. However the court was full and we had to wait ages outside. Our hopes were ruined, and we were getting really upset, until some (really silly) people decided to leave before Marat was due on court. There seats happened to be right at the front, by the sidelines of the court. So, we managed to get the best seats in the whole court. When Marat entered the court he chose the seat right opposite us. It was amazing! Everytime Marat got up to serve, he came right next to us to get the balls from the ballgirls. And everytime he went to sit down, me and my friend were pretty sure he kept staring right at us! At first we thought we were imagining it, but honestly, he kept looking over-maybe it was because we had been looking like complete fools the last time we went. After the match, which he won of course, we quickly ran out to stand by the entrance again, and this time i was a lot luckier. He came surrounded by security guards again, but this time they were pushing all his fans out of the way, saying 'can you move please, we have a proffesional tennis player coming through'. however, I didn't listen and went and gave marat my book to sign, the security guards oushed me again, but guess what??? Marat came and signed it for me! I was so happy, i was speechless for a few minutes! He is such an amazing person, and is so kind!!!! I will never forget that day!
Please do not use without the owners permission
The first time I met Marat was in 2001 at Wimbledon. Me and my friend had queued up since 4.00 in the morning so we could get tickets for court 2. Although we waited for ages, it was worth it! Once we got through the gates, we headed for the bridge where all the famous tennis players walk past. We kept waiting for Marat, and when we finally saw him, we both went crazy! We kept screaming out his name, but he didn't seem to notice. After watching Maray play against Knowle (well Knowle actually retired - phew!), me and my friend quickly ran back to the entrance to the changing rooms, which is surrounded by security guards! We saw Marat coming surrounded by fans and security guards, and i began to get very scared and shaky (because he was so near) but i managed to give him my ticket and pen for him to sign. Unfortunately he dropped the ticket but guess what? infront of all those fans, he tried to find it! BUT, although he tried, he didn't manage to find it, so he turned and gave me back my pen. That pen is now treasurd in a little box in my room because he, MARAT SAFIN, touched it!! I know I'm mad! But that day got better, because he kept walking past, and we began shouting his name out again, and this time he noticed. Everytime he walked past he gave us these really sweet smiles and little waves, it was so cute! He then went to get his lunch/dinner with his family and he came and sat on the table closest to us, and was facing us too. So as you can guess, me and my freind just stayed there until he finished eating and chatting to his friends.
We also went 4 days later, which was even more amazing! After queuing up for ages again, we headed for court 18 where Marat was to play Clement. However the court was full and we had to wait ages outside. Our hopes were ruined, and we were getting really upset, until some (really silly) people decided to leave before Marat was due on court. There seats happened to be right at the front, by the sidelines of the court. So, we managed to get the best seats in the whole court. When Marat entered the court he chose the seat right opposite us. It was amazing! Everytime Marat got up to serve, he came right next to us to get the balls from the ballgirls. And everytime he went to sit down, me and my friend were pretty sure he kept staring right at us! At first we thought we were imagining it, but honestly, he kept looking over-maybe it was because we had been looking like complete fools the last time we went. After the match, which he won of course, we quickly ran out to stand by the entrance again, and this time i was a lot luckier. He came surrounded by security guards again, but this time they were pushing all his fans out of the way, saying 'can you move please, we have a proffesional tennis player coming through'. however, I didn't listen and went and gave marat my book to sign, the security guards oushed me again, but guess what??? Marat came and signed it for me! I was so happy, i was speechless for a few minutes! He is such an amazing person, and is so kind!!!! I will never forget that day!
