Post by Annie on Jun 28, 2005 20:18:19 GMT 3
Roland Garros 2005
Report by Kristin
Please do not reproduce this elsewhere without the owners permission.
Hey, all...curious for a live report? (Apologies ahead of time for the length)
Sometimes I just love my life and today was one of those days where being alive is just so much fun.
I arrived at Roland Garros a little after noon and thanks to Vee (really, I send you my many, many thanks), I learned where he was practicing. Ok, I am going to start with one of the more irrelevant details, but one that IS a subject of conversation of late (my justification for not feeling like too much of a girl)...the curls. In person, they are so adorable. I just wanted to reach out and grab one (yes, I was that close to him at one point...sigh). Now returning to the mature tennis fan that I am...
I missed the first part of the practice so I don't know how that went. Maybe Vee can fill you in. She left shortly after I arrived, so I'll give you the second half update. He seemed to be becoming increasingly frustrated with his serve. There were a couple of racquet bounces, no smashes. It was a bit worrisome when for the last five minutes he kept muttering to himself in what seemed to be self-admonishment. After the practice he was smiling a bit so maybe it was just typical Marat-style practice. I've never attended one of his practices before. Peter didn't say much. There were two men on the court sitting on a side bench who were with him, but I didn't recognize either of their backs. The one just sat and read from a Russian newspaper most of the time. I was trying to figure out which paper because I was curious, but I couldn't see that far.
Now for the fun part - the exhibition...
Marat has been/is/will always be my favorite tennis player. Yes, I love his court antics and the beauty of his game (when he is on), but most of all I am a fan of his because of who he is. On one hand it sounds strange to say that about someone I've never met in person, but obviously through all of his interviews and quotes, I've learned of his wisdom and unique perspective on life. I gained a lot of respect for him after he won Bercy. Most tennis players when they win tournaments are jubilant (and deservingly so) but you feel as if you are just watching their own private celebration. When Marat won Bercy, while the smile on his face relayed his happiness, the overwhelming feeling you felt as a fan was his gratefulness to you for being there and supporting him. Besides thanking us A MILLION times, he kept putting his hand on his heart and bowing and waving to us.
Even though I've realized what a special person he is, I never until today truly realized the extent to which he is one of those rare beings in life who when they enter a room, they just command everyone's attention/respect/awe. It was so palpable when he stepped onto the court today. Now the details...
First, they introduced Justine. Then they introduced Steffi. The crowd went wild when she came out onto the court. Marat was the third introduction and again the crowd went mad. They really love him (it would be interesting to see how they reacted to a Safin/Santoro match). Gilles, even though he is French, received much less applause than Marat. Marat was really cute when he came on to the court, he did this little strut, which I couldn't begin to describe.
They started off playing Marat/Steffi vs Gilles/Justine. Then they switched halfway through to Marat/Gilles vs Steffi/Justine. Marat, of course, was hilarious. Unfortunately, from where I was siting I couldn't hear most of what he said, but the stadium burst out into laughter at most of it. The audience, the umpire, the linesmen, the other players were amused by him. I just felt so much joy that he could change the atmosphere like that. This match proceeded Roddick and I-why-can't-I remember-his-opponent (some French dude). That match was - yawn. Before that was Santoro/Nadel - somewhat interesting, but boring nonetheless. And Marat...
Like I said I didn't hear most of what he said, but the few things I heard were "the racquet is too small" when he missed a volley. He said something almost before every serve like "do I do this now?" "Should I stand here?" When Justine/Steffi first served, he instructed Gilles that they should both stand way behind the baseline. I really wish I could tell you guys more, but I didn't hear (even though I still laughed).
They had an interview with him at the end and the last question was "Thank you for coming. How do you feel?" He responded with thank you for having me, thank you for supporting me. He said he hoped the weather was good for two weeks (oh, that reminds me - it was a bit windy today), and then he asked the crowd to support all the players, no matter their nationality, whether they are French or Spanish or Italians or even those Russians. It was funny the way he said the Russian part.
Well, that is it. Sorry this is so long and for throwing in so many personal commentaries. I don't know if I am going to go and see anymore of the open, which will be really annoying if I don't. I've watched it every year on TV from the States and now that I live in Paris, I can't watch because I don't have tickets or a even a TV. If I manage to go, I'll let you all know.
Good luck, Marat!
Report by Kristin
Please do not reproduce this elsewhere without the owners permission.
Hey, all...curious for a live report? (Apologies ahead of time for the length)
Sometimes I just love my life and today was one of those days where being alive is just so much fun.
I arrived at Roland Garros a little after noon and thanks to Vee (really, I send you my many, many thanks), I learned where he was practicing. Ok, I am going to start with one of the more irrelevant details, but one that IS a subject of conversation of late (my justification for not feeling like too much of a girl)...the curls. In person, they are so adorable. I just wanted to reach out and grab one (yes, I was that close to him at one point...sigh). Now returning to the mature tennis fan that I am...
I missed the first part of the practice so I don't know how that went. Maybe Vee can fill you in. She left shortly after I arrived, so I'll give you the second half update. He seemed to be becoming increasingly frustrated with his serve. There were a couple of racquet bounces, no smashes. It was a bit worrisome when for the last five minutes he kept muttering to himself in what seemed to be self-admonishment. After the practice he was smiling a bit so maybe it was just typical Marat-style practice. I've never attended one of his practices before. Peter didn't say much. There were two men on the court sitting on a side bench who were with him, but I didn't recognize either of their backs. The one just sat and read from a Russian newspaper most of the time. I was trying to figure out which paper because I was curious, but I couldn't see that far.
Now for the fun part - the exhibition...
Marat has been/is/will always be my favorite tennis player. Yes, I love his court antics and the beauty of his game (when he is on), but most of all I am a fan of his because of who he is. On one hand it sounds strange to say that about someone I've never met in person, but obviously through all of his interviews and quotes, I've learned of his wisdom and unique perspective on life. I gained a lot of respect for him after he won Bercy. Most tennis players when they win tournaments are jubilant (and deservingly so) but you feel as if you are just watching their own private celebration. When Marat won Bercy, while the smile on his face relayed his happiness, the overwhelming feeling you felt as a fan was his gratefulness to you for being there and supporting him. Besides thanking us A MILLION times, he kept putting his hand on his heart and bowing and waving to us.
Even though I've realized what a special person he is, I never until today truly realized the extent to which he is one of those rare beings in life who when they enter a room, they just command everyone's attention/respect/awe. It was so palpable when he stepped onto the court today. Now the details...
First, they introduced Justine. Then they introduced Steffi. The crowd went wild when she came out onto the court. Marat was the third introduction and again the crowd went mad. They really love him (it would be interesting to see how they reacted to a Safin/Santoro match). Gilles, even though he is French, received much less applause than Marat. Marat was really cute when he came on to the court, he did this little strut, which I couldn't begin to describe.
They started off playing Marat/Steffi vs Gilles/Justine. Then they switched halfway through to Marat/Gilles vs Steffi/Justine. Marat, of course, was hilarious. Unfortunately, from where I was siting I couldn't hear most of what he said, but the stadium burst out into laughter at most of it. The audience, the umpire, the linesmen, the other players were amused by him. I just felt so much joy that he could change the atmosphere like that. This match proceeded Roddick and I-why-can't-I remember-his-opponent (some French dude). That match was - yawn. Before that was Santoro/Nadel - somewhat interesting, but boring nonetheless. And Marat...
Like I said I didn't hear most of what he said, but the few things I heard were "the racquet is too small" when he missed a volley. He said something almost before every serve like "do I do this now?" "Should I stand here?" When Justine/Steffi first served, he instructed Gilles that they should both stand way behind the baseline. I really wish I could tell you guys more, but I didn't hear (even though I still laughed).
They had an interview with him at the end and the last question was "Thank you for coming. How do you feel?" He responded with thank you for having me, thank you for supporting me. He said he hoped the weather was good for two weeks (oh, that reminds me - it was a bit windy today), and then he asked the crowd to support all the players, no matter their nationality, whether they are French or Spanish or Italians or even those Russians. It was funny the way he said the Russian part.
Well, that is it. Sorry this is so long and for throwing in so many personal commentaries. I don't know if I am going to go and see anymore of the open, which will be really annoying if I don't. I've watched it every year on TV from the States and now that I live in Paris, I can't watch because I don't have tickets or a even a TV. If I manage to go, I'll let you all know.
Good luck, Marat!
