Wednesday 7th, 7am - Rain still clattering down here. Could be another long day. Yesterday was a wash-out as you know but at least the authorities cancelled early - around 1.30pm - so everyone could escape the site.
So draining just sitting around waiting. There's not a whole lot to do in the player lounge. Couple of table footy games and lots of TV screens showing re-runs. One of the TVs is a multi-screen of eight of the courts. Depressing viewing... all flooded.
Someone brought us in a box of cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery and some English breakfast tea bags. Terribly considerate!!
First time I came here in 2003 for the juniors, there were video games, putting stand, table tennis and racing car games in the lounge but nothing like that now. It's more like IPads-R-Us!! There's a big gym upstairs which is always mobbed on wet days and there's also the Jean Faurel hair & nail salon which is free to players and their guests. Nice touch.
Luckily there are three indoor courts for players to use. The rest of the indoor courts are transformed during the event for hospitality and the USTA Smash Zone. Visited that the other day. Best kids zone of all the Slams by miles. 18 different stations in there including a mini commentary booth where kids can put on headphones and use microphone! Liked that a lot.
Saw the BritPack yesterday - Broady, Edmund, Morgan and Golding all won rd 1 junior singles. Liam was venturing outside in a terrible, but functional, yellow poncho.
The junior zone is over at the indoor courts. They have their own gym over there and their player service desk.
All the TV stations were desperately trying to find fillers for their programmes so trawling the lounge for people to speak to them. Got asked by Pam Shriver for ESPN and Justin Gimelstob for Tennis Channel but bailed!
Andy got collared in the lockers by Mark Petchey and ended up doing a wee clip for Sky Sports with Colin n Ross which centred round Petch's hair transplant :) funny stuff! Talking of Sky, did you see that ex tennis pro Dan Lobb is doing Strictly!! Can't wait. Betting he goes further than Castle & Hingis did. And he will be more Waite than Simone. And funnier than Brucie!!
Another grey day here. Not looking good. The weather, I mean. Haha. Off to get the bus with my book. It's by Mo Hayder and it's called "Gone". Appropriate!
Manana people!!
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This is a personal web blog. The opinions expressed here represent the views of the author and not those of the LTA.
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