Scottsdale – Episode 4

Thursday - Andre Agassi v Franscisco Clavet.

Today was "Kids Day" there were "Kids" everywhere!!!

Andre had yet another caged practice session, same time, same cage as yesterday so I decided to get round the back entrance this time. Sara at this point was off studying Nicolas Lapentti (by the way he's a great Tennis Player from Ecuador!).

Well the view was equally as good if not better from this end too! There was hardly anyone else there, (rent a crowd were at the other entrance) I felt a bit weird watching him from this gate with only an audience of 4 other people - BUT it WAS rather good :o)

Comments like "Hey no problem I can hit that mark with my eyes closed (pause) - see!" were coming from the cage! These comments always had a big cheer following them. I can't remember who the practice partner was that time but to be honest I wasn't really paying attention to the other side of the court.

To all the doubters and non-Andre fans out there who write all the negative stuff about Andre - you know who you are and lots of you get paid for your writings, I challenge to you watch just one of his practice sessions and dare you not to enjoy it! To be totally honest the Practice Sessions are even more enjoyable than the matches!

Life could not have been better!

UNTIL

The Sphinx Police Female Security Guard who'd had far too much power for breakfast came up and kicked us off our spot SHOUTING that this was a RESTRICTED area and you had NO Right to be here - poor woman REALLY missed her vocation in life!

She obviously had forgotten to read the rules on Tennis Ettiquette too.

Id like to put a personal note of thanks at this point to Mr Reyes for sorting out this problem. I am sure the two American Sisters would also like to thank you too.

 I had a great position for this match (the same seat ironically for the Marcos Match) bearing in mind Id just witnessed one of the best practice sessions ever, the match proper was a bit different.

To be honest it was as if somebody, whilst Andre was in the cage, had gone onto the main court, rubbed out all the lines, repainted them 1/2" narrower than they should have been all round and lifted the net 1/2" higher too.

The poor guy really put his life and soul into each shot - but missed. They were ALL "just" out and ALL "just" clipping the net, even when he was up close to the net and just had to tap the ball over - someone else had got the remote control to the ball and managed to steer it onto his side still.

The match ended with a loss for Andre - Poor Guy had a bad match - IT HAPPENS!

THEN I lost my temper. The words round the courts were "That was a complete waste of money then" "Do you realise how much Id paid to see THAT match?" THEN "He TANKED" Obviously the idiots stating those comments were not Tennis Fans, also did not understand the game, also did not care for the fact that the Guy on court actually too was only a Human Being with feelings and stuff (unlike the Androids that made the comments).

Obviously they think he's someone that is meant to provide a service for them all the time - selfish idiots! They should have seen some practice sessions too!

I really felt like bundling them all up into a bus and dumping them down the Grand Canyon! BUT I'd have probably got lost driving the bus.

It made me MAD!

Oh well Andre had left the tournament... I went off to find Sara (who was camped out at the front of the Grandstand Court watching Nico play Wayne Ferreira). Tim was watching this match too (his next opponent was the winner of this match). Nico was 2 match points down and struggling - Tim left the Audience. Nico saved both points and proceeded to win the match.

Sara and I had made an agreement that we would stay at all tournaments until Andre and Nico had both left the competition. Oh well... time to keep to the agreement... it wasnt too hard, as I like Nico - he's easy to tease.

Friday - (Andre had left for Indian Wells)

Nico was on the main court having a practice session. Sara was having a major loyalty complex. She'd had a lovely chat with Nico on the way to the session, explaining her support would have to be quieter than usual, showing him a copy of Henmagic at the time, she told him she'd been waiting for this match for over a year now - and now didn't want it to happen. (she also said a few other things to him but THATS confidential!) He gave her a reassuring "I understand" hug and wicked grin.

Half way through the session - Nico catches Sara's eye, Sara then says Hey Nico - can I borrow your white cap for today's match? When Tim plays she wears the British Cap all other times she wears the Ecuador Cap.

He immediately (in front of everybody) shouts "What happened to the one I gave you at the World Championships!"

Sara replies - "It's at home"

Nico (frowning) "Why is it at home?"

I noted Sara was starting to drown at this point so I shouted out "What happened to the Cap SHE gave YOU at the World Championships Nico?"

Nico (quietly with sheepish grin) "It's in Miami"

Sara wished Nico luck for his match. (She was also on Cloud Nine He'd remembered Hannover too).

The result of the Tim - Nico match was a win for Tim.

Calo's English had improved on a daily basis - we were parked at our own private (successful) Capture the Players spot after the match (Sara was very low - not surprisingly - she hated every point of the match) Calo appeared (looking sad) he just looked at us and said "Where Nico?" we just looked back and said "he went that way (pointing)" - it was a lovely poignant moment - you had to be there).

Sara couldnt stay on to watch Tim in the Semis as the tickets had sold out.

SO... Scottsdale had come to an end for us. It was a lovely friendly tournament. So many friendships were made there. Next stop.... Indian Wells.