Basil and Sara take on America - stage two - Indian Wells
So... we left Scottsdale behind (until next year ... I wish) It was a lovely place, full of lovely people, both famous and not famous with a lovely hotel too - well you get the picture - we had a great time there.
Still - onwards we go! We WERE going to get to Indian Wells via the Greyhound Bus Service BUT whilst in the taxi heading for the Bus Station we changed our minds and hired a car - the Hertz place was calling to us from the Roadway! It was just meant to happen - they also happened to have a brand new silver Mustang just waiting for two English Girls to do the Thelma and Louise bit (Sara wouldn't change her name!) for the bargain price of two bus tickets too.
4 hours crammed in a Greyhound bus compared to travelling in our own time, air-conditioning, CD player and outstanding natural beauty surrounding us - we REALLY enjoyed our "Whippet".
Driving into Palm Springs was a bit awe-inspiring for me - an English Country Mouse - cruising along places and scenery lifted straight off the sets of Melrose Place etc - BUT I soon got used to it :o).
We found our hotel, dumped our stuff, jumped back in the Whippet (we had it for 24 hours) and headed for the Tennis - well what else did you expect us to do? It was a new tournament, it was lunchtime and we'd crossed a timezone too - bonus hour - now that just couldn't be wasted!
The New Stadium at Indian Wells - was well very nice.
The Player/Fan Access was excellent
The Practice Court Viewing was excellent
The Prices though were extortionate - I guess they have to pay for it somehow!
First player we ran into that day was Jan-Michael Gambill (see Sara's Official Website off of one of my links) he was very warm and friendly towards Sara (He came over to Her to chat - not the other way round - it makes a difference) so she took advantage of his services and got him to sign a load of pics and memorabilia for her too.
7pm Nico, Calo, Carlos Moya and Some Other Guy came out and started playing the Tennis Player's version of football, this went on for about 2 hours, poor Calo got lots of stick for "not quite understanding the rules!" - these guys were lots of fun!
There was no sign of the subject of this website - but Sunday Morning more than made up for that fact.
Sunday Morning
Welcome to the Andre and Andrei (Medvedev) show. Front barrier (waist height) central view, bang inline with the net and next to the exit gate. Ok so maybe the added bonus of a television camera filming this practice session DID make the two of them come out of their shells a bit, but I dont know, it was worth it.
Andre basically teased and taunted Andrei from the first moment, Andrei threw back as much as he was given though, so don't feel too sorry for him. There was one never ending rally which included the comment - "hey I can finish this anytime you know", followed by a a blistering return - big cheer - immediately followed by
"Bravo Bravo Excellent shot - I agree you guys, the fact he lost the point 5 shots ago doesn't matter right?" (mock sarcastic tone).
A $100 bet was then placed on a set. "Quite brave of you - but then again You Russians Like Losing your Money - right" was the response.
This carried on for about 20 minutes - with Andre being the eventual winner of $100 - (immediately paid up) they then both came out for signing.
2 Photos of Andrei Medvedev successfully signed followed by One American Flag (basically there was no way he wasn't gonna sign it) also successfully signed (signature is upside down and pointing in the wrong direction BUT there you go - Perfect!)
To be continued.....