Friday 3 March

We arrived in Scottsdale at about 5.30 local time (home time gone Midnight) and by rights we should have done the sensible thing like unpack (what???) and have early nights ready to start adventures the next day.

Hey come on this is Me and Sara – we could see the stadium from our Hotel – REST was not an option!! We’d both suffered a 4 month drought of Live Tennis Players – to have them at touching distance was just too tempting!!!.

6.30pm – Scottsdale Fairmount Princess Hotel and Tennis Complex.

10 minutes into the place we bump into Tim Henman!!! Who then says "Hi Sara – how are you doing? Nice of you to make the trip!!" then Lleyton Hewitt and a few others appeared out of the trees too.

The Ladies Tournament was being played the week before the Mens, with the Men’s Qualifying Comp running alongside (with all the Main Men also there for practice). We tried getting a qualifying drawlist for the Men. The Officials kept telling us adamantly that the Men weren’t coming till next week and this was a Ladies Tournament. (Whilst people like Pat Rafter were walking past at the time) The reply was any man here THIS week is to be classed as an "Honorary Lady!" there you go Guys!

Well that satisfied our craving for a bit (NOT!)

Saturday.

Walked up to Complex (after bumping into Oliver Gross in the Breakfast Room of Our Hotel). Heard familiar grunt coming from Main Court. The reason for my 11.5 hour plane trip was practicing on court. WOW! To be honest I was a bit shellshocked I dont know why I guess I just didnt except to see him so soon. So we made our way down to the front (as you do) I was perfectly happy at the back - but my partner in crime dragged me down to the front!

Lindsay Davenport then came on the court and kicked him off – I guess as she was playing in a Semi that day her need was a bit greater . Playful banter between them was fun. THEN got autograph no 3 extremely easily!!! (Frontpage Photo was today’s choice of signing material) this was starting to be a great trip! Overheard that the next practice session would be 4pm that afternoon, so of course, made mental note to self etc.

We then went to watch the Qualifying matches; collecting pictures and autos from any player that crossed our paths . Marcos Ondruska was very impressed when Sara shouted over "Marcos can you sign this please?" he was quite chuffed to see a pic of him and to be recognised too. He asked us what two English Girls were doing in Scottsdale, we informed him of our plans, he gave us advice on places to go in Indian Wells etc – nice guy.

Caught the eye of Arnaud Clement, decided during the Qualifying that he was very worth watching indeed – so he got the picture and signing treatment too.

Arnaud was playing Marcos (Sebastian Grosjean was standing RIGHT behind me – if Id moved I would have stood on his foot, he that close – another great guy). Overheard snippets from the French camp around me talking about the French Open, the fantastic 5 set match, Andre’s name came into the conversation a few times, then they started going on about the defeat after being 2 points away from victory – THEN the penny dropped and I realised I was watching the Guy that everso nearly evicted Andre early on in the French!! Sorry Matey the support stopped there!! (Just Kidding!!).

Marcos beat him!

4pm – Andre appears for another practice session – today’s partner was James Blake – Wow! He can hit the blur – sorry ball too. Halfway through this session the world stood still for Sara as Nico made his appearance known – standing at the top of the Stadium watching Andre on court looking like he’d just walked off a Milan Catwalk. Sara’s comment made heads (including those on court – bearing in mind again we were right at the front) turn – Sara was a happy bunny – but for some reason she remained totally frozen to her seat – this is very un-Sara like. Nico moved on and life returned to normal. Tim Henman came to take over the court. At 5pm Andre dissappeared off court so fast – as if he was going to be late for a really major important appointment elsewhere in the complex! Team Agassi were left to pick up the pieces. We then found Nico having a practice session on another court so focussed our attentions on him.

Saturday night....

MET THE LEOS!! (from the Message Board) This was one of the highlights of our trip! They came up to see the Ladie's Semi Finals and Finals and to meet ME!! Felt really honoured and touched and it was really great to meet them. It was also REALLY cold! Seriously Arizona at night was freezing! (when we were there anyhow!) Arranged to meet the Leos early Sunday.

SUNDAY

Sara and I arrived at the crack of dawn as per usual for another day of "Honorary Ladies" watching. Today's "honorary lady" practicing early on the main court again was Andre - wow so many sitings!! Met the Leos mid session too - they were really really pleased they got to see Andre too. I went down to try and get an autograph for Mary Ellen - but unfortunately it didnt happen as the heavens totally opened and the message from the Court was "You Guys get inside or you'll get sick!" Promised Mary Ellen we'd try to get the pic signed for her (and yep we kept the promise!!).

On the way to some shelter we bumped into Nico, and asked him if when it stopped raining we could have another photo with him. His answer was "Sure no problem how about now?" Obviously the fact that it was raining didn't bother him! Sara had an umbrella in her hand so we now have a great pic of Sara and Nico under an umbrella for her collection!

Well what can I say about the next few days except.... WELCOME TO WIMBLEDON!!! It did not stop raining until Tuesday!!! Can you believe that?? I mean it it did NOT stop raining from Sunday to Tuesday!! All the Arizonians were saying wow this is great and did you know? It hasn't rained here since September? NOT really the sort of news we really wanted to hear!! - SO! As The Leo's had a car we all went for some much needed retail therapy!!! That was a great day!

Whilst watching Nico practicing before the rain, Sara kept getting asked the following 3 questions

1. Is He the Brazilian Guy?

2. Who is He??

3. Is he Marcello Rios (SERIOUSLY!!) - she was getting a bit annoyed with this....

So!! Whilst undergoing Retail Therapy I made Sara get a TeeShirt with

"His Name is Nicolas Lapentti from Ecuador!!!!" in big blue letters done! He later signed this at an official signing session in Indian Wells (more on that later ...)

This is the end of Chapter One of our adventures as the Jet-lag is still with me a bit - tune in tomorrow for the next installment!

Basil!