Friday: Day Three's "up-Lifting" Encounter with Rafa
Although Susan slept through the match, our intrepid reporters in Monte Carlo did not. Here's the latest from MAC and Spanish Eyes:
Day Three...
Not such an early start today, but we wanted to see if we could blag our way into the players' hotel early to save on car park charges. No problem. SpanishEyes may be more used to the luxury hotel lifestyle than I, but frankly I was completely blown away by being able to hand my car keys to someone who then parked the car for me!
Our bags were whisked away, leaving us to head up the hill for the tournament. Got there at 10am and despite SE's fears of stalking, I decided to go and check out the practice courts just in case.
Just as I got there, 2 familiar figures walked onto the court. Despite SE's warnings and fears of a looming restraining order, I settled myself down right behind Rafa's chair. Sadly, it was the other side of the wire fence from Rafa. Frankly I think it's just mean that they don't let you on court with him! I'd be no trouble and would get far better photos that way.
It was nice to see his interaction with Uncle Toni at close quarters, but unfortunately I speak no Spanish so don't know if Rafa was asking whether the mad stalker woman was still behind him. Left him to it after a while because we wanted to see the start of the Gaudio/Robredo match. Don't know how it looked on TV, but from our vantage point Robredo was playing pants! Still, at least it was over quickly - and then it was Rafa Time!
Our seats are right beside and above the entrance passageway that the players take on and off the court. It's really weird seeing them walk down that passageway with a camera crew walking backwards in front of them, filming their every move at close quarters, but Rafa takes it all in his stride and does his usual little bounce up and down while they're introducing the other player.
I should point out at this stage that we are risking serious sunstroke on this court just for you! The blazing heat of the noonday sun was pretty fierce but we hung on in there. Which is more than can be said for his mum, dad and sister, who left there seats just up to our right - in the members' area - to go and sit further back and in the shade!
Didn't he play well? We really felt that he is playing himself into top form beautifully now. Guillermo's Superhero outfit clearly did him no good today. An awesome performance from Rafa, over all too quickly but we're happy to take that as a good win.
Don't know if they showed in on TV but after the match they brought lots of tennis balls out on court for Rafa - and a couple of others - to hit into the crowd. They've been doing this every day - something to do with this being the tournament's centenary year - but we're not really sure exactly what it's all about. However, Rafa was smiling and looking really relaxed as he belted the balls into various sections of the crowd. Unfortunately, there were so many people leaping about and screaming that we couldn't get any pictures.
After that, we had a wander for food and shade and managed to completely miss Federer. We went back for Ljubicic/Gonzalez. Interesting to see that the family Nadal - minus Rafa - watched the whole of that match, although Dad did start reading the paper at the beginning. We were pleased to see Gonzalez win as we feel Gonzo/Fed will be a more entertaining match to watch tomorrow than Fed/Lubo.
After the match, we thought about getting the bus back to the hotel but decided to walk as there were lots of people waiting for the bus. This is when you realize that it's small decisions which can make a huge difference to your life...
We picked up our room keys at reception and were directed to the lifts. We set off towards them and suddenly realized that we were walking behind two very familiar figures - and a photographer!
Well, your intrepid reporters did not shrink from their duty. As Uncle Toni pressed the button for the lift we waited patiently with them. The lift arrived and in the five of us get. Rafa is standing against the back wall, texting someone on his mobile phone. Uncle Toni was standing next to Rafa in the right hand corner, while SE and I stood either side of the photographer in front of the doors. I flattened myself against the wall so that the photographer could get a clear shot of Rafa and Uncle Toni laughed and asked if I'd like to be in the picture too. I said 'Yeah, sure,' in a joking manner. Uncle Toni then checked with the photographer which magazine he was working for - Paris Match or L'Equipe - turns out it was L'Equipe. Rafa was ignoring everybody.
Toni got out on the 4th floor, leaving the rest of us to travel on up in the lift. We contemplated smiting the photographer with his camera and jamming the lift, but decided it was a little unseemly. Besides, SE said it broke the No. 1 rule of stalking - Never let your victim know you're stalking them.
Of course, it could be not coincidental at all - indeed, we suspect that Rafa may be stalking us...
Just to be on the safe side, after Uncle Toni got out of the lift, SE checked with Rafa which floor he wanted - sadly it wasn't the same as ours.
In our excitement following this encounter we went outside onto our balcony for a breath of fresh air. In the process, we managed to shut ourselves out on said balcony - six floors above the ground. This would have been a good plan had Rafa been with us... (Note to selves: make sure all necessary participants are present before commencing irreversible procedures which may leave one helpless, and not a little embarrassed, on very visible balcony of luxury hotel.)
Luckily, SE plays the damsel in distress role really well. It was only a matter of half an hour or so before we attracted the attention of several helpful men - none of them Rafa - and two sturdy gentlemen came to our rescue.
Phew, after all that adventure, SE and I need a large drink and a nice dinner before calling it a night. We do feel now that we've had more than our fair share of Rafa-encounters and luck, so please don't expect too much tomorrow...
Too tired now to load pictures up. May try later or tomorrow. Bear with us!
From SE: had to post to make and addition to our earlier note...
We have to give an honourable mention to Guillermo Coria. First he prolonged his match against Mathieu to give us time to arrive at the tournament and watch Rafa's match. Then he distracted us at the practice courts long enough so that we were still there when Rafa arrived. And now he has obligingly lost to our boy at the crucial moment. We have a soft spot in our hearts for him! Not sure what more he can possibly do to help us since he will soon be on his way back to Argentina I guess. Maybe he could have got us off the balcony a bit sooner... but he's really earned his superhero outfit in our books! (He is now known in these parts as Sooper-Guillermo! )
And - note for iboy - I WILL definitely check out how our boy smells next time I see him... (well, barring rushing onto court and stopping play, obviously!)
Day Three...
Not such an early start today, but we wanted to see if we could blag our way into the players' hotel early to save on car park charges. No problem. SpanishEyes may be more used to the luxury hotel lifestyle than I, but frankly I was completely blown away by being able to hand my car keys to someone who then parked the car for me!
Our bags were whisked away, leaving us to head up the hill for the tournament. Got there at 10am and despite SE's fears of stalking, I decided to go and check out the practice courts just in case.
Just as I got there, 2 familiar figures walked onto the court. Despite SE's warnings and fears of a looming restraining order, I settled myself down right behind Rafa's chair. Sadly, it was the other side of the wire fence from Rafa. Frankly I think it's just mean that they don't let you on court with him! I'd be no trouble and would get far better photos that way.
It was nice to see his interaction with Uncle Toni at close quarters, but unfortunately I speak no Spanish so don't know if Rafa was asking whether the mad stalker woman was still behind him. Left him to it after a while because we wanted to see the start of the Gaudio/Robredo match. Don't know how it looked on TV, but from our vantage point Robredo was playing pants! Still, at least it was over quickly - and then it was Rafa Time!
Our seats are right beside and above the entrance passageway that the players take on and off the court. It's really weird seeing them walk down that passageway with a camera crew walking backwards in front of them, filming their every move at close quarters, but Rafa takes it all in his stride and does his usual little bounce up and down while they're introducing the other player.
I should point out at this stage that we are risking serious sunstroke on this court just for you! The blazing heat of the noonday sun was pretty fierce but we hung on in there. Which is more than can be said for his mum, dad and sister, who left there seats just up to our right - in the members' area - to go and sit further back and in the shade!
Didn't he play well? We really felt that he is playing himself into top form beautifully now. Guillermo's Superhero outfit clearly did him no good today. An awesome performance from Rafa, over all too quickly but we're happy to take that as a good win.
Don't know if they showed in on TV but after the match they brought lots of tennis balls out on court for Rafa - and a couple of others - to hit into the crowd. They've been doing this every day - something to do with this being the tournament's centenary year - but we're not really sure exactly what it's all about. However, Rafa was smiling and looking really relaxed as he belted the balls into various sections of the crowd. Unfortunately, there were so many people leaping about and screaming that we couldn't get any pictures.
After that, we had a wander for food and shade and managed to completely miss Federer. We went back for Ljubicic/Gonzalez. Interesting to see that the family Nadal - minus Rafa - watched the whole of that match, although Dad did start reading the paper at the beginning. We were pleased to see Gonzalez win as we feel Gonzo/Fed will be a more entertaining match to watch tomorrow than Fed/Lubo.
After the match, we thought about getting the bus back to the hotel but decided to walk as there were lots of people waiting for the bus. This is when you realize that it's small decisions which can make a huge difference to your life...
We picked up our room keys at reception and were directed to the lifts. We set off towards them and suddenly realized that we were walking behind two very familiar figures - and a photographer!
Well, your intrepid reporters did not shrink from their duty. As Uncle Toni pressed the button for the lift we waited patiently with them. The lift arrived and in the five of us get. Rafa is standing against the back wall, texting someone on his mobile phone. Uncle Toni was standing next to Rafa in the right hand corner, while SE and I stood either side of the photographer in front of the doors. I flattened myself against the wall so that the photographer could get a clear shot of Rafa and Uncle Toni laughed and asked if I'd like to be in the picture too. I said 'Yeah, sure,' in a joking manner. Uncle Toni then checked with the photographer which magazine he was working for - Paris Match or L'Equipe - turns out it was L'Equipe. Rafa was ignoring everybody.
Toni got out on the 4th floor, leaving the rest of us to travel on up in the lift. We contemplated smiting the photographer with his camera and jamming the lift, but decided it was a little unseemly. Besides, SE said it broke the No. 1 rule of stalking - Never let your victim know you're stalking them.
Of course, it could be not coincidental at all - indeed, we suspect that Rafa may be stalking us...
Just to be on the safe side, after Uncle Toni got out of the lift, SE checked with Rafa which floor he wanted - sadly it wasn't the same as ours.
In our excitement following this encounter we went outside onto our balcony for a breath of fresh air. In the process, we managed to shut ourselves out on said balcony - six floors above the ground. This would have been a good plan had Rafa been with us... (Note to selves: make sure all necessary participants are present before commencing irreversible procedures which may leave one helpless, and not a little embarrassed, on very visible balcony of luxury hotel.)
Luckily, SE plays the damsel in distress role really well. It was only a matter of half an hour or so before we attracted the attention of several helpful men - none of them Rafa - and two sturdy gentlemen came to our rescue.
Phew, after all that adventure, SE and I need a large drink and a nice dinner before calling it a night. We do feel now that we've had more than our fair share of Rafa-encounters and luck, so please don't expect too much tomorrow...
Too tired now to load pictures up. May try later or tomorrow. Bear with us!
From SE: had to post to make and addition to our earlier note...
We have to give an honourable mention to Guillermo Coria. First he prolonged his match against Mathieu to give us time to arrive at the tournament and watch Rafa's match. Then he distracted us at the practice courts long enough so that we were still there when Rafa arrived. And now he has obligingly lost to our boy at the crucial moment. We have a soft spot in our hearts for him! Not sure what more he can possibly do to help us since he will soon be on his way back to Argentina I guess. Maybe he could have got us off the balcony a bit sooner... but he's really earned his superhero outfit in our books! (He is now known in these parts as Sooper-Guillermo! )
And - note for iboy - I WILL definitely check out how our boy smells next time I see him... (well, barring rushing onto court and stopping play, obviously!)
posted by Susan at 1:35 PM
4 Comments:
Absolutely brilliant blogging, MAC !
OMG that was a great encounter with rafa wow man "inside the lift". you can Mac you could have kissed him and say this is all for the VR members. . .
Yeah rock on MAC loved the report!!! Gracias!!
Vamos you guys. . . louder cheers please for him today for Rafa in the SF !!!! Go Vamos Brigade. . .
LOL, you two are priceless!! I hope you at least had the forethought to take your drinks out on the balcony with you ;)
Fabulous blog! ... can't wait for the next instalment....
Brilliant blog!!
I was chuckling the whole time I read it!!
Well done SE and MAC!!
Keep up the good work.Can't wait to read the next installment in your Monte Carlo Adventures!!
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