There is nothing more exciting, as a
journalist than sitting in the front row, of any major sporting event (for me
there are three; The Australian Open, The Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Avalon
Airshow). Of course, these events are strictly limited to Australia, because
honestly, if I start to prattle on about international sporting events I could
be here for a long time.
I’ll level with you, the AFL season is not
of a particular interest of mine, however, I am exposed to it constantly as my
Mother, a crazed Essendon ‘Bombers’ supporter seems to think that every new
season, is a new season to try and convert me. So far she has not convinced me,
nor has my sister in trying to bring my fandom to English Football (or soccer
as we call it here in Australia). Rugby League, Golf, most Olympic sports, I’ll
still stay honest; it just doesn’t sell me.
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| David Ferrer |
This year did not disappoint, and with the
semi finals seeing a battle between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, as a tennis
fan, I couldn’t ask for more. This year,
Melbourne Park shone a little different. The gargantuan Heineken beer Garden
seemed to trump years before, a smart and well thought out money-spinner. The
grounds are being renovated, however they still managed to make the courts and
the outside-seated areas, in front of large televisions, look good.
 |
| Na Li |
Here is where I will name my friend ‘The Serbian’. He won’t mind you see,
especially so because Novak Djokovic, although losing the battle throughout the
quarter final, still displayed a wonderful performance of passion, and that of
a humble, and that of an understanding gentlemen; when he did not advance to
the next round. I’m going to recount just one of my days at the tennis, because
if I consider recounting more than one, we could be here until Wimbledon
starts.
‘The
Serbian’ and I arrived at the tennis around 12pm;
it was a sweltering 44 degrees. We had good seats in Hisense Arena; the line up
saw two separate matches, one including Tsonga, Rogowska, Monfils and the other
Federer.
Walking through the grounds, we were
greeted with the epitome of ‘tennis’ spirit. How the promoters could keep it
together in this heat, I don’t know! ‘The
Serbian’ and I had a bite to eat (I was pleasantly surprised when I found
vegetarian rice paper roles to eat, and my friend opted for a healthy option
also, usually sporting events see only food that puts your heart at risk of
bypass).
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| Tennis Australia Spidercam |
We then, with a Powerade each in hand, made
our way into the stadium. The women were playing, (Radwanska def. Govortsova)
and although our seats were front row we opted for something higher up,
something that would keep us in the shade. We found solace near a particular
obese family, however trying to walk past them ‘The Serbian’ not having much room, was bumped into a concrete
pole, leaving his knee rendered sore, painful and useless for the rest of the
day. All I can say about this is fat
people in crowds, rolls eyes.
The more people that poured in, the hotter
it got. We left the stadium, peeling away from the fat family and luckily we
did. The heat had got to me. I awoke in the St Jones ambulance air-conditioned
portable room, lying on a bed that resembled that of WW2. After an hour of
monitoring, tennis Australia had decided to close the roof on both Rod Laver
Arena and Hisense Arena; only after however 28 people had also passed out.
 |
| Novak Djokovic |
The experience didn’t taint me, and thus my
dear friend, ‘The Serbian’ looked
after me with an abundance of the Jacob’s Creek Moscato rosé,
which proved to be the perfect pick me up. We then sat, in comfort for the rest
of the afternoon, particularly cooler, enjoying our countless wines and then finally,
enjoying the finesse of Roger Federer. That man is like watching liquid gold,
he is particularly limber, flexible like a ballerina and without awkwardness or
robotic movement.
You see, Roger Federer is a marketers dream and
it is evident why. The way he controls himself as a sportsman, his well-spoken,
but slightly accented speech and finally, his all over class. ‘The Serbian’ and I were a little
disappointed that their was only a fraction of player merchandise (only one
Roger Federer cap and one Rafael Nadal cap) compared with ‘Aus Open’ merchandise, this for us was a little disappointing.
Evidently, I could continue, but it would only
be to bore you. ‘The Australian Open’
is an event you must discover, even if you only buy a ground pass and sit with
your friends on the lawn with a picnic, while watching the event on the big
screens. It is safe to say that my dear ‘Serbian’
friend and I will be watching Friday Nights’ (January 24th)
match with bated breath (Nadal vs Federer). Can I choose between the two who I
want to win? I simply can’t. It’s like asking the question “which of your
children do you love the most”.
 |
| Roger Federer |
If I have however, convinced you to join the
tennis fanatics of Australia for the event, you should always, take your own
personal ‘Serbian’. Why? They know a
lot about tennis, their passion is unregistered and they always look after the
ladies (never an empty wine glass and always an arm to help you down the
stairs).
It is
also worth booking seats to Rod Laver Arena and Hisense Arena, as that is where
most of the top players exhibit. Purchasing early in October means that you
will get very good, possibly even front row seats.
Above are a series of photographs, shot by Sunny
Lim for © CLiQ photography at this years Australian Open. I’m sure his
representation of this event is far more engaging than my own.
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