On arrival at Indian Wells we headed for the Practice Courts as usual. As usual Mariano was always planted firmly on a court - practicing away. We also watched Calo manipulate Mariano in ways only Trainers and Fitness People can with Players - that Guy is really flexible!! - both Guys knew we were watching - so they played up a bit to us in the process.
Mariano and Eduardo (Infantino) managed to make our trip a real success. Thanks Guys - We appreciate what you did.
We did loads of crazy things like walk up to Mariano stop and chat with him (in front of crowds - he enjoyed the attention immensely) whilst at the same time shoving Marcello Rios out of the way - SERIOUSLY! contact was made between Sara and Marcello - Mariano saw this and his permanent smile just grew!! After all, in his eyes, Two English Girls had just shoved a Former No1 out of the picture and were paying HIM the attention - he was lapping up every minute!
Mariano played Fernando Vincente - he beat him. We were planted at the one row from front of the court, as Sara's full-sized Argentinian Flag taking up the front row; we'd laid it out on 3 chairs directly behind Mariano's chair. In other words, we made our presence known to him.
I noted that that there was a very handy table between Mariano's chair and the front row seats.... SO after the match - whilst he was still on court, packing up his bag, we laid out the flag on the table then called him over with the instruction. "Hey Mariano - Sign the Flag!! he said - "Ive done that already!" - "We know but this time we want it BIG!"
BIG SMILE! And He obliged!!! Each individual letter was about 6 inches high, - thanks mate! (subtle hint to any other Player that gets presented or represented with one of our flags ...)
(Jelena Dokic watched this match two rows behind us - she looked like she enjoyed it as much as us too!)
We then let him go - straight back onto the Practice Court for more practicing!!
His next match was against Marcello Rios - I caught up with him and said - "Make sure you beat him tomorrow - ok?" Big smile again "I'll try my best :o)"
Mariano v Marcello
This time the crowds were huge - but we'd still manged to take up our position (2nd row from the front - behind Mariano's chair + flag laid out at the front). There was a television camera planted dead opposite the flag - so we made sure that the signature was nice and clear and there were no rumpled up edges of the flag.
Mariano took Marcello to the cleaners. It was an awesome match. Marcello also played up a bit, he dissapeared off court and at one point told his supporters to "Shut Up as he wasn't talking to him!"
The Umpire told him off about this (we were under his chair nearly) saying they'd come to support him - give them respect!
Marcello and Mariano are both South American - after about 5 minutes of Marcello's outbursts - Mariano's fanclub had increased dramatically. (Great fun was had by most people - hehe)
Mariano won - he was ecstatic! We got hit by a low-flying sweatband too :o).