Post by Annie on Jun 28, 2005 20:09:29 GMT 3
Australian Open 2003 Report
By Evelyn
Please do not reproduce this without the owners permission
DAY ONE
Monday 13th January
Hi, girlies!!
Today, as I was watching Dinara's match, who did I see but our Marat!!!
Unfortunately, I was seated on the other side of the court, but because our seats were about level, I think he was looking at me! lol. By the time I walked over to his side of the court, he decided to leave...And then, Dinara started to lose, and eventually
lost the match. Oh, well...
The good news is Lizzy chased after him after he left, and she got his autograph again!! AND the blonde girl is definitely not Marat's girlfriend, 'cause he was seated next to Denis, and was joking around with him. I think she's actually with Denis!!! A fan jumped down from a row behind, and straight next to our Marat, and he seemed very nice and friendly to her. She offered her zinc cream to him, and I think he passed it on to Denis! lol. A couple of people seated behind him and dressed in Spanish gear waved at him, and Marat waved back as if his arms were helicopter blades! lol
After Marat left, Denis stayed a little while before leaving too. The only ones who stayed for her whole match was the blonde girl and Dinara's mum - who was shouting words of encouragement the whole time. And our Dinara seemed terribly upset...I think she lost her confidence as soon as Marat left...Oh, well...Marat was wearing a blue Adidas cap and looked absolutely huge! He was joking and smiling, looking very relaxed. But then he got a bit bored, and decided to leave.
I really hope I can see him tomorrow and get his autograph! Lizzy and me will be there, so watch out for us on the telly! lol.
See you soon!
DAY TWO
Tuesday 14th January
Hi, girls!
I just came back from the Vodaphone Arena where Marat won his match against Sluiter! If you hear someone go 'Woo! Go, Marat!" every single time he won a point, that was me! lol. Anyways, I knew that
Dutch contingent would be a problem (like the Swedes last year at the final), so practically all the girls in the front (some as young as 6!), were all screaming for Marat!
Anyway, got some great photos of Marat, as I was in the fourth row up the front! I had a white hat on, and my pink jumper on, just in case you saw me on the telly!
Didn't get his autograph, though...I had no idea how aggressive 6 year old girls are! They were practically leaping all over the place, creating a bit of a crush...Oh, well, I'll try to get his autograph when he plays on
the practice courts in a couple of days! I have tickets for practically the whole Open, except for the finals...
Well, see you soon!
DAY THREE
Wednesday 15th January
Hi, girls!
Today I got to the AO really early as usual. And just after I got Richard Krajicek's autograph after his practice, there was this chick with a sign around her neck, saying that Marat would be signing autographs at the 'Autograph Island.' So, I wait around, and get autographs from Anastasia Myskina and Magdalena Maleeva,(and my pictures taken with them). But then, they announced that Marat's appearance was cancelled, because he injured his wrists during his practice and had to go to hospital! They said he would still be playing tomorrow, though. So, hopefully, I'll get his autograph after his practice tomorrow!!
I saw Yevgeny's match, though. He lost to Nieminen(it's like Eminem...lol). But it was pretty close for a while - 2 sets each and 1 game all in the fifth set. Was funny seeing the Russian contingent yelling, 'Davai, Zhenya,' against the Dutch contingent. The Russian contingent was very gracious in defeat, though, standing up and
applauding the winner.
Well, let's hope I finally get Marat's autograph tomorrow! lol.
See you soon!
DAY FOUR
Thursday 16th January
Hi, girls!
I just came back from the Rod Laver Arena, where Marat just won his match against Albert Montanes!! And I got Dinara's autograph as she was walking back out of the arena! Anyway, I wasn't having much luck getting Marat's autograph at the tourney, so I decided to try a different tactic - basically wait at the hotel lobby until he showed up! Which he did!!! Yay! Finally!
Anyway, after getting Paradorn's autograph (he signed for the Thai media and some hotel porters too - he's soooo nice!) , and Daniela H.'s autograph (and a picture taken with her! She's really nice, too!!), who should arrive through the doors but our Marat, with Denis in tow! I asked him to sign my official tour programme, which he did. And then, I asked him if I could have my picture taken with him. He said, "Sure!" So, I asked Denis to take the photo!! Then, I wished him Happy Birthday for next week, and gave him a birthday card. He looked surprised and said, "Thanks!" So, I finally had a very happy day at the AO - thanks to the hotel, that is! No screaming 6 year-old kids with gigantic tennis balls getting in my way this time! lol.
Oh, the match was really excellent, too! Very entertaining to watch - broke his racquet, and hit his head a few times...After he got an extra racquet from his bag and lost another point, someone yelled, "Break another one!" And sometimes, the only applause for Marat was from two people in his players' box - Anatoly and Denis!! Was very close in the second set, and was down in the third set for a while, but he soon came through!! He really seems on form this time. Not too many signs of his numerous injuries!
See you soon!
DAY FIVE
Friday, 17th January.
Hi, girls! Since yesterday, my luck has improved 100% at the AO!! Today, after the Anna/Rubin match, I saw James/Merklein vs Kafelnikov/Stepanek match, and our James won!! Yes! Very happy right now!! lol. He actually lost the 1st set (while I was at the Anna match - she won with Rubin! Yay!). But when I arrived for the 2nd set, he seemed to get in gear and he managed to win the 2nd and 3rd!
Maybe it had something to do with me being in the 2nd row, taking photos of him with my zoom-lens camera (trying very hard not to drool! lol), and going, 'Woo! Go, James!' every time he and Merklein won a point!! Got the rest of the crowd - 80% girls - cheering for him too! Anyways - this is the amazing bit - after the match he signed a few autographs, and he only had one security guy with him when he left the court. So, me and the girls kept following him, being very polite (lol), and I finally managed to ask him for an autograph! He said, "Sure!" and signed my programme for me on page 61 (where there's a nice photo of him, but no profile). He says, "There you go!" and was soooo nice!! And very sexy, I might add! lol. Got lots of nice, close-up photos of him playing, with his gorgeous smile!! Hehehehe...Very tasty!!
THEN, I decide to check out the practice courts, and I see a topless player looking very nice! And it was Tommy Robredo! There were only 2 other girls waiting for his autograph, so I decided to wait a while and get his autograph, too!! After, that is, I got some nice topless pics of him!! Ahhh...lol. So, I get his autograph, and my picture taken with him, topless...And he put his arm around me!! lol.
Oh, Anna and Rubin's doubles' match against Asagoe/Miyagi (6//1 6/3) was hilarious!! The mostly 20-something, male crowd was getting too excited, so they decided to start a Mexican wave that went three times around the Margaret Court arena! The umpire had to say, "Quiet, please!" But they kept going!! Lol. The players were all waiting to start the game, but the only time the crowd stopped was when Anna turned to them, gave them a clap with her racquet and a smile! Lol. It's like they wouldn't stop until they got her attention! Then, they all cheered and sat down! Lol.
Well, can't wait to see our Marat tomorrow!
See you soon!
DAY SIX
Saturday 18th January
Went to Vodaphone Arena extra early for Marat's match, and got really good seats (4th from the front), but then the announcement came: "Due to a wrist injury, the No. 3 seed, Marat Safin has withdrawn from the tournament." Well, that was it for me! Lol. Checked the schedule and discovered that James Blake was due to be playing at Rod Laver Arena! So, I checked that out instead!! Had a funny discussion with this old guy (about 70 years old) who was seated next to me&ldots;When I arrived, he said, "Where were you? I was reserving this seat for you all day!" lol. I said I was at Vodaphone Arena, waiting for Safin to play, but he pulled out because of a wrist injury. When James's match finally started, I yelled, "Woo! Go, James!" every time he won a point. Then, the old guy said, "You seen to be keen on this James bloke!" lol. "Is he your favourite player?" I said, "One of them. I like Safin, too." He said, "Safin?! Safin never wins! He only pretends to win!" lol.
Anyway, for James's doubles' match yesterday, he was just wearing a normal T-shirt, but for his singles,' today, he wore the sleeveless top! Arrgghhh!! And he changed his sleeveless shirt (from a black one to a white one) during his singles match! Very nice!! Hehehehehe...Was very happy when he won the match against Alberto Martin!!
It's tough that our Marat had to pull out with an injury! But I was kinda expecting it, after he pulled out of Sydney...Hopefully, he'll get well soon...Poor Maratik!! Nevertheless, I have lovely pics of him bending over during his matches for you all! Lol
By EVELYN 2003
By Evelyn
Please do not reproduce this without the owners permission
DAY ONE
Monday 13th January
Hi, girlies!!
Today, as I was watching Dinara's match, who did I see but our Marat!!!
Unfortunately, I was seated on the other side of the court, but because our seats were about level, I think he was looking at me! lol. By the time I walked over to his side of the court, he decided to leave...And then, Dinara started to lose, and eventuallylost the match. Oh, well...
The good news is Lizzy chased after him after he left, and she got his autograph again!!
AND the blonde girl is definitely not Marat's girlfriend, 'cause he was seated next to Denis, and was joking around with him. I think she's actually with Denis!!! A fan jumped down from a row behind, and straight next to our Marat, and he seemed very nice and friendly to her. She offered her zinc cream to him, and I think he passed it on to Denis! lol. A couple of people seated behind him and dressed in Spanish gear waved at him, and Marat waved back as if his arms were helicopter blades! lolAfter Marat left, Denis stayed a little while before leaving too. The only ones who stayed for her whole match was the blonde girl and Dinara's mum - who was shouting words of encouragement the whole time. And our Dinara seemed terribly upset...I think she lost her confidence as soon as Marat left...Oh, well...Marat was wearing a blue Adidas cap and looked absolutely huge! He was joking and smiling, looking very relaxed. But then he got a bit bored, and decided to leave.
I really hope I can see him tomorrow and get his autograph! Lizzy and me will be there, so watch out for us on the telly! lol.
See you soon!
DAY TWO
Tuesday 14th January
Hi, girls!
I just came back from the Vodaphone Arena where Marat won his match against Sluiter! If you hear someone go 'Woo! Go, Marat!" every single time he won a point, that was me! lol. Anyways, I knew that
Dutch contingent would be a problem (like the Swedes last year at the final), so practically all the girls in the front (some as young as 6!), were all screaming for Marat!
Anyway, got some great photos of Marat, as I was in the fourth row up the front! I had a white hat on, and my pink jumper on, just in case you saw me on the telly!
Didn't get his autograph, though...I had no idea how aggressive 6 year old girls are! They were practically leaping all over the place, creating a bit of a crush...Oh, well, I'll try to get his autograph when he plays on
the practice courts in a couple of days! I have tickets for practically the whole Open, except for the finals...
Well, see you soon!
DAY THREE
Wednesday 15th January
Hi, girls!
Today I got to the AO really early as usual. And just after I got Richard Krajicek's autograph after his practice, there was this chick with a sign around her neck, saying that Marat would be signing autographs at the 'Autograph Island.' So, I wait around, and get autographs from Anastasia Myskina and Magdalena Maleeva,(and my pictures taken with them). But then, they announced that Marat's appearance was cancelled, because he injured his wrists during his practice and had to go to hospital! They said he would still be playing tomorrow, though. So, hopefully, I'll get his autograph after his practice tomorrow!!
I saw Yevgeny's match, though. He lost to Nieminen(it's like Eminem...lol). But it was pretty close for a while - 2 sets each and 1 game all in the fifth set. Was funny seeing the Russian contingent yelling, 'Davai, Zhenya,' against the Dutch contingent. The Russian contingent was very gracious in defeat, though, standing up and
applauding the winner.
Well, let's hope I finally get Marat's autograph tomorrow! lol.
See you soon!
DAY FOUR
Thursday 16th January
Hi, girls!
I just came back from the Rod Laver Arena, where Marat just won his match against Albert Montanes!! And I got Dinara's autograph as she was walking back out of the arena! Anyway, I wasn't having much luck getting Marat's autograph at the tourney, so I decided to try a different tactic - basically wait at the hotel lobby until he showed up! Which he did!!! Yay! Finally!
Anyway, after getting Paradorn's autograph (he signed for the Thai media and some hotel porters too - he's soooo nice!) , and Daniela H.'s autograph (and a picture taken with her! She's really nice, too!!), who should arrive through the doors but our Marat, with Denis in tow! I asked him to sign my official tour programme, which he did. And then, I asked him if I could have my picture taken with him. He said, "Sure!" So, I asked Denis to take the photo!! Then, I wished him Happy Birthday for next week, and gave him a birthday card. He looked surprised and said, "Thanks!" So, I finally had a very happy day at the AO - thanks to the hotel, that is! No screaming 6 year-old kids with gigantic tennis balls getting in my way this time! lol.
Oh, the match was really excellent, too! Very entertaining to watch - broke his racquet, and hit his head a few times...After he got an extra racquet from his bag and lost another point, someone yelled, "Break another one!" And sometimes, the only applause for Marat was from two people in his players' box - Anatoly and Denis!! Was very close in the second set, and was down in the third set for a while, but he soon came through!! He really seems on form this time. Not too many signs of his numerous injuries!
See you soon!
DAY FIVE
Friday, 17th January.
Hi, girls! Since yesterday, my luck has improved 100% at the AO!!
Today, after the Anna/Rubin match, I saw James/Merklein vs Kafelnikov/Stepanek match, and our James won!! Yes! Very happy right now!! lol. He actually lost the 1st set (while I was at the Anna match - she won with Rubin! Yay!). But when I arrived for the 2nd set, he seemed to get in gear and he managed to win the 2nd and 3rd!Maybe it had something to do with me being in the 2nd row, taking photos of him with my zoom-lens camera (trying very hard not to drool! lol), and going, 'Woo! Go, James!' every time he and Merklein won a point!! Got the rest of the crowd - 80% girls - cheering for him too! Anyways - this is the amazing bit - after the match he signed a few autographs, and he only had one security guy with him when he left the court. So, me and the girls kept following him, being very polite (lol), and I finally managed to ask him for an autograph! He said, "Sure!" and signed my programme for me on page 61 (where there's a nice photo of him, but no profile). He says, "There you go!" and was soooo nice!! And very sexy, I might add! lol. Got lots of nice, close-up photos of him playing, with his gorgeous smile!! Hehehehe...Very tasty!!
THEN, I decide to check out the practice courts, and I see a topless player looking very nice! And it was Tommy Robredo! There were only 2 other girls waiting for his autograph, so I decided to wait a while and get his autograph, too!! After, that is, I got some nice topless pics of him!! Ahhh...lol. So, I get his autograph, and my picture taken with him, topless...And he put his arm around me!! lol.
Oh, Anna and Rubin's doubles' match against Asagoe/Miyagi (6//1 6/3) was hilarious!! The mostly 20-something, male crowd was getting too excited, so they decided to start a Mexican wave that went three times around the Margaret Court arena! The umpire had to say, "Quiet, please!" But they kept going!! Lol. The players were all waiting to start the game, but the only time the crowd stopped was when Anna turned to them, gave them a clap with her racquet and a smile! Lol. It's like they wouldn't stop until they got her attention! Then, they all cheered and sat down! Lol.
Well, can't wait to see our Marat tomorrow!
See you soon!
DAY SIX
Saturday 18th January
Went to Vodaphone Arena extra early for Marat's match, and got really good seats (4th from the front), but then the announcement came: "Due to a wrist injury, the No. 3 seed, Marat Safin has withdrawn from the tournament." Well, that was it for me! Lol. Checked the schedule and discovered that James Blake was due to be playing at Rod Laver Arena! So, I checked that out instead!! Had a funny discussion with this old guy (about 70 years old) who was seated next to me&ldots;When I arrived, he said, "Where were you? I was reserving this seat for you all day!" lol. I said I was at Vodaphone Arena, waiting for Safin to play, but he pulled out because of a wrist injury. When James's match finally started, I yelled, "Woo! Go, James!" every time he won a point. Then, the old guy said, "You seen to be keen on this James bloke!" lol. "Is he your favourite player?" I said, "One of them. I like Safin, too." He said, "Safin?! Safin never wins! He only pretends to win!" lol.
Anyway, for James's doubles' match yesterday, he was just wearing a normal T-shirt, but for his singles,' today, he wore the sleeveless top! Arrgghhh!! And he changed his sleeveless shirt (from a black one to a white one) during his singles match! Very nice!! Hehehehehe...Was very happy when he won the match against Alberto Martin!!
It's tough that our Marat had to pull out with an injury! But I was kinda expecting it, after he pulled out of Sydney...Hopefully, he'll get well soon...Poor Maratik!! Nevertheless, I have lovely pics of him bending over during his matches for you all! Lol
By EVELYN 2003
