Miami - Part Two - the Conclusion

The Penultimate day to my trip - Saturday 25 March. (I had an appointment with Miami Airport Sunday Lunchtime)

Today was a great day - perfect end to a fantastic trip.

Ok so by this time (day 12 of non-AA sightings) I was starting to get "a bit ratty!" When Sara reads this she'll say "major understatement!!!" but there you go, she was starting to feel really guilty for the fact that she saw Nicolas Lapentti about 6 times a day every day since the 2nd day we arrived in the States, combined with the fact that if we turned a corner, Nico would appear on cue - It was as if he was her Genie, he appeared whenever she required to see him (24 hours a day everyday - just kidding) - all that was missing was a rusty lamp - she didn't need 3 wishes (well on second thoughts ....) ok Im rambling here ...... (Im not complaining - Nico you are great - but you know I think that - you look even better capless too!)

The previous Thursday I had a bet with Sara that Andre would be the night match on Saturday, (I then predicted a thunderstorm would strike Saturday afternoon cancelling all play until Sunday - morbidity had REALLY set in). She assured me that would not be the case, so I purchased the LAST Saturday DAY ticket - the risk was too high - Sara didn't need a ticket coz Nico was going to be around on the GrandStand Court (information provided by Nico himself) but of course Andre and Pete were always permanently placed on the Pay as You View court.

On Friday - the draw for Saturday was announced AND Sara paid up her $20!! - I then went and purchased another ticket for Saturday NIGHT! Mr Agassi you cost me a small fortune!

Also on Friday Andrei Pavel and Sargis Sargsian were playing each other (now this was a hard match for me to watch - as I like both of these players). Andrei beat Sarge in straight sets. I went up to Sarge afterwards and got him to sign my two pics from Wimbledon (see his page in the Album) and I got a distinct "Hey You're my fan" look from Andrei which was quite amusing! - photo evidence will be published soon.

So the Saturday DAY line up was as follows....

Thomas Enqvist, Pete Sampras Michael Chang Marcelo Rios Linsday Davenport and Some other people

Steffi was being "Inducted into the Hall of Fame" for basically being the Greatest Player (Female) ever in the history of the tournament after the 2nd match of the day. As at Friday afternoon Andre was also meant to be "Inducted" at the same time" for being the Greatest Player (Male) ever in the history of the Tournament - when I saw this I thought oh God, the media will probably have a field day with this event - but hey I have a ticket :o)

Friday Evening - the programme got changed - Steffi on Saturday - Andre on Sunday (when I would be 5,000 feet up in the sky heading for the rain). I DID plan on seeing Steffi's induction - honestly - but it didn't happen.

Reason? Mariano Zabaleta was playing Roger Federer on an outside court, unfortunately the two events clashed. This was going to be the last time I'd see Mariano play (until Wimbledon in June) If Mariano had finished his match in time I would have seen it, but his match was brilliant, and I basically could not leave him (from my front row dead centre behind his chair position) to see a ceremony, I would have considered that rude of me if I was him. Hope that makes sense to people.

Mariano won his match (as if there was any doubt that wasn't gonna happen). There were loads of people watching him - he's going to be a really really big player this time next year - if not sooner!

Saturday night.

Andre Agassi v Andy Roddick - scheduled 2nd after the Serena Match.

6.30 pm - I had a feeling that He'd be practicing on the Stadium court, so I went to find my seat. There were queues at all the entrances to get in (The Security Guards all said no entry till 7.30 - even more reason I thought that he was out there), so I worked my way round and found a gate that had NO queue and a Friendly Security Guy - there is always one (just happened to be my gate too (hehe).

Golden rule of being a Tennis Fan - don't take the first no for an answer - be persistant - don't give up - there are always ways to see what you want!!

So I successfully managed to get in early and there he was - I was rewarded by an excellent display of rallies between the former Top Ten Player (1989-94 - winner of 20 titles) and the Only Male person to hold a Golden Slam Himself. The handful of us that had managed to get through the security check point had a secret great exhibition! At one point he replicated his US Open Win celebration perfectly! And then after winning the next rally - so did his Coach - it was a great funfilled 15 minutes! Well worth the 12 day wait too!

The Guy was so alive! you didn't need to plug in the electricity for the floodlights - his energy during that practice session was more than enough power!

Then he left (for 2 hours).

Andy Roddick was outside practicing his heart out ready for his David and Goliath match.

Serena came on and won her match -

THEN THE MATCH BEGUN!

Well I've been to some tennis matches - but this one was so LOUD - the players came in to "2 Unlimited's - Get Ready for this" - and I half expected the MC to come out with "Lets Get Ready to Rumble!!!" I hope that sets the scene a little!!

I was up in the sky but it was incredible - Andy Roddick kept up with Andre constantly - the crowd were alternately shouting "Andre" and "Andy" (It turned out that I was sitting in camp Andy - SO of course I shouted really loud for Andre :o).

THEN Half-way through this amazing set Sara appeared saying "Come on - You're moving!" Her Mum (who joined us in Miami) had been talking to two (Corporate) people (box owners) that had to leave early. They had donated their Box Seats (2 rows from the FRONT!) to making an English Girl's Last Night in USA very happy!! - thank you very much Sara's Mum, Sara and the Two People that donated their tickets.

I was treated to 1.5 sets of the most amazing power play tennis closer than I would ever see this guy (in play) again. The match was so electrifying, seriously, Andy Roddick has a great future in the game.

These two were fiercely rallying from the baseline, AND? you say? but I mean THE BASELINE as in the white bit, each shot was hitting the opposite lines and going back over the net with further interest added.

At one point the power was so great Andy dissappeared off court (through momentum) - caught his breath, and came back for more.

Andre beat Andy in straight sets - but the result does not reflect how incredible that match was. You had to be there (and I was ;o).

I asked Sara if she'd mind waiting with me to see Andre leave (it was 11pm) Apparently it had already been decided we WERE going to wait - even if I didnt ask - which was very nice - I appreciate it.

So Sara and I waited - with 10,000 other people, the car came up - the Guy is a perfect Gentleman, and then the car left with Tennis' very happy couple inside.

My trip finished there. I could have gone back for 2 hours on the Sunday morning - but my perfect Tennis Trip ended there that night - perfectly.