Last part of JC’s 2009 European tour: Wimbledon. Check out part 1: Madrid and part 2: Roland Garros.
Guided Grounds Tours
Wimbledon for me was the crowning star stadium of tennis – where so many growning up as boys and girls have dreamed of getting to ever since they first hold a racket or watch it on TV.
That year, I was lucky enough to see center court on the first year that they put up the retractable roof completed.
Wimbledon Museum
When you purchase your entrance ticket, you can enter with or without the museum option. I would definitely opt to see it, if you have not been before or are a fan of the game/history. It has many amazing tennis artifacts dating back over a century and a half.
Nadal shoes:
Nadal and Federer 2008 outfits:
Read the complete story on tennis-8.com
Unlike yesterday, a lot of women’s tennis for me today at Roland Garros, and a little bit of Rafa.
But first, I would like to congratulate Virginie Razzano for her incredible win over Serena Williams. There is no more deserving player than her. So happy for her.
Like yesterday, I didn’t stick to my plan. Court 2 was already packed at 11 o’ clock, so no Ferrer for me.
On Court 9, Donald Young at practice:
Young lost to Grigor Dimitrov later in the afternoon. He is 2-12 this season.
On Court 11, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Pauline Parmentier:
Thanks to JC for sharing his pics and anecdotes about his 2009 European tour.
Next stop of JC’s European tour: Roland Garros
How do you get into the French Open, sit in the reserved box seats just behind the Tennis Magazine team, and then watch Nadal play live just a few feet away on center court (Court Philipe Chatrier) – all for just 19 Euros?
Answer: Benny Berthet Day. This exhibition day is held each year on the eve of the tournament; the profits are donated to various charities. This is similar to the Arthur Ashe day event held at the US Open annually. The public can attend 1-set matches with most of the top players spread out across the top 3 courts. Many of the French tennis starts come out for kids to get autographs and pictures.
Thanks to JC for sharing his pics. Read the full story on tennis-8.com.
Thanks to JC for sharing his pics and anecdotes about his 2009 European tour.
On this self-guided five-city tennis journey, I flew to Spain, France and Great Britain to retrace the footsteps of the tennis legend and my personal hero – Rafael Nadal. Along the way I discover many wonderful cultures and met individuals from all walks of life, all of whom celebrating tennis.
From the Bull-fighting in Madrid, to the Picasso Museum nestled in the Gothic quarters of Barcelona; I wanted to explore Nadal’s homeland of Spain both as a traveler and as a tennis fan.
First leg of the tour: the Madrid Open
Some pics of Palacio Real, Parco del Retiro and Plaza de Toros:
La Caja Magica – the Magic Box – home of the Madrid Open:
Women’s final: Dinara Safina defeats Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 6-4
Men’s final: Roger Federer defeats Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-4 (it was the day after the thriller semifinal opposing Nadal and Djokovic)
Read the complete story on tennis-8.com
