<p>Just my luck, the power went out in our neighborhood after the first set of the men’s final…and couldn’t get any service on my darn iphone…very frustrating…and I am told I missed a great final.</p>
<p>Great match!!! Go RAFA!!!</p>
<p>That was an amazing match. I was watching with my hs sophomore - it was so inspirational. Hope he absorbed a little of what he saw for the next time he’s on the courts.</p>
<p>It’s the start of the Aussie summer!!! I’m home sick and bored so watching the ladies in Auckland. Caught a little bit of Hopman Cup earlier today, too. Also saw DavidF smoke Rafa in Abu Dhabi the other night, but missed the final where, naturally, he lost to Djoko. :(</p>
<p>The France/Czech Republic mixed doubles was great, emilybee. Really liking Cornet. My S spent the whole day at the Perth Arena.</p>
<p>^^^I am so jealous. I saw a bit of Poland playing “I can’t remember” and Raonic playing someone. Just checked my guide and I can watch France/Czech Republic tomorrow night. I must have missed the live broadcast. It always takes me a few days or so to get use to being on Aussie time.</p>
<p>So ready for tennis season! But I think I’m just going to wait until the AO starts because the Olympic Trials are taking over my life.</p>
<p>Good match between Llegs and Kei in Brizzy.</p>
<p>Pretty messed up draw.</p>
<p>Haven’t even looked yet. Any compelling 1st rounders? </p>
<p>Just started watching the boys in Sydney now. Maybe they’ll discuss the draw a bit.</p>
<p>So I had a look see at the draw - don’t know why you would say it’s messed up - unless it’s the all the ho-mun first rounders cluttering up the draw - but Lleyton/Seppi could be interesting. </p>
<p>Will be interesting to see how the crowd reacts when Bernard plays Rafa.</p>
<p>It’s messed up in that Djokovic gets to cruise to the final while someone like Federer has Tsonga, Murray, Nadal, and Djokovic as his final four matches. Like, hello. Everyone is in the top half.</p>
<p>There has never been a draw where one side is not tougher than the other. Then sometimes funny things happen like a lot of the top seeds on one side lose and then the other half looks harder. </p>
<p>I don’t get too worked up over draws, they are what they are. But if I was Queen of the World I’d go back to only seeding 16.</p>
<p>Have any of you been to Indian Wells? DH and I are thinking about going to the BNP Paribas Open this year to see Roger Federer play before he retires. I guess we’ll have to go for the early rounds instead of the final weekend, just in case he gets bounced early.</p>
<p>Have any of you gone on one of Steve Furgal’s tennis tours? Are they worth it?</p>
<p>I’ve been to Indian Wells the last six years. My friends and I get our own tickets, no tour. It’s a great event.</p>
<p>Tip: this is the desert. It’s hot during the day matches and cold during the night matches. Bring a jacket and a stadium blanket for the night matches.</p>
<p>Indian Wells: I have been to Indian Wells many times. We get our own tickets. I prefer the earlier rounds when there is something going on on every court. Definitely you will run into all kinds of weather. If you feel like splurging stay at the La Quinta Resort. It is a gorgeous place and close to the tennis garden. They have a show type court where a lot of the players practice. We have stayed there the last few years and have run into a lot of players and celebrities (Andy Roddick, Bryan Brothers, Gwen Stefani). I heard a lot of players also stay at the Renaissance Esmeralda which is across the street from the tennis garden.</p>
<p>The Esmerelda is close but not across the street. A lot of players stay at the Hyatt Grand Champions also. My friend saw Federer at breakfast. Even at the tennis garden, the practice courts give fans lots of opportunities to see the players. The players have a grass field to warm up and they walk past the fans to get to the locker room. I’ve seen Fed, Murray, Djoker, Wosniacki, Roddick, Ferrer, Isner and others. I had premium seats on the outer courts which put one practically on the court. I almost felt like I was returning serve, ha. Saw Stosur up close that was and heard some choice Aussie swear words. And Verdasco. What a hottie and very nice to the kid fans.</p>
<p>Woot woot!!! My Pat and lleyton playing dubs tonight. 1am my time. I’ll need to set the alarm. Even though it’s on Hisense, doubt ESPN will show it except online. Better than nothing, though.</p>
<p>Anybody watching? The tv says it’s 107 degrees, down from a high of 111! </p>
<p>I cannot imagine watching tennis in that heat, let alone playing. </p>
<p>Love the way the Aussies cover up from the sun though!!</p>