Fast4Tennis
Rafa Vs Verdasco Charity Match
'The Summer Set'
Margaret Court Arena, Wednesday 14th of January
Words: Journalist and Blogger Claudia Sorace
It’s
a hot and balmy night in Melbourne, I’m three rows from courtside, seated close
to the infamous ‘Uncle Tony’, Rafael Nadal’s coach. It’s a pre-Australian Open
‘Summer Set’ a charity match between Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal. Fast 4
Tennis commissioned the event, that is being held at Margaret Court Arena. The
stage, ‘The Arena’ has recently been revamped and this event gives the media
and the general public or the tennis possessed, the chance to see the arena,
that doesn’t even reflect a shadow of it’s worn and what used to be a tatty
former self. I’ve been lucky, having had supportive involvement in the ‘Rafael
Nadal Foundation’ for many years; I sit welcomed by the fabulous seats I’ve
been humbled with and the Channel 7 camera man asks me to smile, look excited
and give the live coverage a wave.
It
isn’t just Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal that the public get to see
perform this evening. However, before Rafa is even introduced, US Open junior
champion Omar Jasika is announced, in which then, the world’s favorite Spaniard
Rafa walks out to claim his territory, his exhibition match. As two men are declared
they walk though a tunnel of dramatic smoke shooters and purple haze. Melbourne
has decided to put on a proper party. The ladies have wine and daiquiris and
the men also, this is a fruity, cheery audience. The gentlemen banter, they are
here to make the crowd happy, excite them for what is to come this Australian
Open. Alas though, Rafa makes short sets against Omar, winning 4-1.
A
man we have not seen in a very long time on this stage, Davis Cup hero, Mark
Philippoussis takes to the stage, fog machine in toe. The crowd wasn’t
expecting this, we didn’t expect to see him, but he has aged like a fine wine.
The ladies in the audience seemed delighted that this ‘milk shake’ (the event itself) has brought all the boys to the
yard. However, it is a quick match against Rafa and Philippoussis, as with
Omar, is taken down 4-1 also.
This
exhibition isn’t about winning though, the DJ has the crowd in a fine mood, the
latest beats are pumping between pauses in the tennis, the Mexican wave is truly
in continual steed and this tennis is a display of repartee more than rigor.
Rafael introduces one of his best friends, after hugging Mark. Fernando Verdasco lights
up the court with his tall frame and striking way in which he carries himself.
Rafa hugs Fernando and you can see, their relationship is a close one. They
play, and at times Rafa cannot even serve without stopping to burst into
complete and utter cachinnation.
The crowd is rowdy, but
this is ok, also. This is not the kind of charity match with the intention of a
stiff upper lip. It’s fun, its bold. Rafa has dressed for the setting; he’s boldly
wearing electric Florissant pink and white shorts with a hot pink glitter strip
down each side. Verdasco is in grey, however, Rafa seems to have thrown
sensibility to the wind, as this is ultimately a charity match.
Between sets, the
gentlemen sit on fuchsia pink thrones, a huge difference from the professional
seating they sit between sets at the major Grand Slams. They are content with
the audaciousness of the styling this event has paraded in front of the
Melbournian audience. As a tennis fanatic, I can earnestly say, it was one of
the most enjoyable matches I have witnessed. Without a doubt, I love the
intense competitiveness that Grand Slams bring, having been an annual member
and tennis enthusiasts of the Australia Open and the Kooyong Classic. This
match however, showed the two Spaniards as lovable, jovial and charismatic as
well as being highly both respected for their sportsmanship.
At the end though, this
was Rafa’s match, and ‘Uncle Tony’ gave him some sharp looks at points, as to
say “Now Rafa, you’ve had your fun, its about time you showed them all that you
can win this” and that he did. It didn’t take Nadal long, in fact it was only
117 minutes on the court to ‘take out’ good friend Fernando 2-4 4-3 4-3 3-4 4-2.
Enthusiastic
for the next two weeks at The Australian
Open, with my incredible photographer standing by to snap all that he can,
we will bring you Grand Slam action in motion. This match, unlike the other
minor tournaments that start the year’s tennis in Australia, have me pumped and
after speaking to some close girlfriends who also joined the charity match, an epiphany
has come to attention; The Australian
Open is changing.
Bolder,
Bigger and smarter than ever before, with the new and improved Margaret Court Arena,
the stage is set to become a strong competitor against the ‘other’ hard-court
US Open. Australian’s are great at creating a laid back feel, whilst delivery
in all aspects. The Australian open is not just about tennis, it’s a
fine-engineered contender for an improved draw card for tourism and more than
anything it is a contender for a really great time. Happy forehands folks! May
the race to ace begin!
