We have a bucket list. As much as I dislike the term (an unfortunate geezer vehicle comes to mind), I'm pleased as punch to have been able to cross another item off -- attending one of the four grand slam tennis tournaments! This was not the only reason for our trip to Australia, but tickets to the women's semifinals matches and one of the men's semis were magically on sale when we looked and surprisingly affordable.
Melbourne has also been on our list of must-see places because a good friend lives there and we'd heard nothing but great things about the city, surrounding countryside, shopping, restaurants and weather. In a rare convergence, all of these things proved true! But where was I? Oh yes, TENNIS!!
The city's excitement for the Australian Open was palpable even at the airport. Flags draped everywhere, kids bouncing those oversized yellow balls, special vehicles for tourney peeps. The goosebumps never let up. Matches were broadcast on every screen. Snippets about the latest defeat were heard on every street corner.
We arrived early on the day of the women's semis to take in the stadium, walk the ground and hit the gift shop. Pelle was hoping to find a new racket, and although none were on sale, we managed a couple little souvenirs.
We feared that our seats in the upper section would require the binoculars we had safely left at home, but no. Rod Laver Arena is surprisingly intimate for the 15,000 or so fans and our view was great. We could hear every grunt from the players while staying cool in the shade of the roof. And while the doubles match proved a little bit of a letdown (not that the players weren't superb, my early excitement was just fading), the women's matches were excellent. Clijsters (2011 Champ) v. Azarenka, Sharapova (2008 Champ) v. Kvitova.
For the men's semi, we had a night match. The 2008 and 2011 Aussie Open Champ, Novak Djokavic v. the perennial hopeful, Andy Murray. Djokavic has been setting courts on fire for over a year, so we were doubtful that Murray had a chance, but it was a nail-biter through the 5th set. Back-forth, back-forth. Djokavic breaks. Now Murray breaks. Djokavic breaks back. Then Murray. The athleticism and finesse these guys showed was astonishing, giving the lucky crowd a match equaling a final.
Azarenka and Djokavic each went on to win it all, but the real winners were The Fornbergs.
The city's excitement for the Australian Open was palpable even at the airport. Flags draped everywhere, kids bouncing those oversized yellow balls, special vehicles for tourney peeps. The goosebumps never let up. Matches were broadcast on every screen. Snippets about the latest defeat were heard on every street corner.
We feared that our seats in the upper section would require the binoculars we had safely left at home, but no. Rod Laver Arena is surprisingly intimate for the 15,000 or so fans and our view was great. We could hear every grunt from the players while staying cool in the shade of the roof. And while the doubles match proved a little bit of a letdown (not that the players weren't superb, my early excitement was just fading), the women's matches were excellent. Clijsters (2011 Champ) v. Azarenka, Sharapova (2008 Champ) v. Kvitova.
Azarenka and Djokavic each went on to win it all, but the real winners were The Fornbergs.
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