Took the day off work on Friday and bailed down to Wimbledon to catch some of that English Summer spirit. We queued from 7.30am in an enormous queue that went right into Wimbledon park and got into the grounds at about 10.30. They pre-sell most of the tickets but keep 6,000 or so for plebs like us who are too disorganised but passionate about their Tennis, or their English traditions.
So once inside we checked out the enormous board detailing the draw and schedule and found a few matches to satisfy the nationalistic needs of the mixed Dutch and Australian crowd. Holland was well represented by Janine and Jerome while Ben, Dan, Antonette and I made up the Australian team.
Tennis is clearly better drunk so we preceded to knock back a few bruskies while the Girl's sipped Pimms in the seats that they had cleverly secured while we were left standing - not too worry - the beer and sun soon helped the jealousy recede.
The watched a Dutchman beat up some no-hoper and then toddled over to some spare seats to watch an American and an Australian play two Brazilians. The Aussie was Ashley Fisher - you'll see a nice mug shot of the boy from the 'gong on the Tennis Australia site. So we carried on drinking and cheering through an enthralling 5 setter in which the Aussie took the first two setting up, we though an easy third. But it was not to be - the Brazillians, rudely sitting with their backs to their opponents and glaring at us, gathered their wits and fought a come back that saw the game levelled at a set a piece.
We were increasingly levelled ourselves but fought back to the bar for some more refreshments and settled in for the 5th. I'm afraid that Ashley couldn't do it - but redeemed himself in our eyes by coming over at the end of the match and giving us £20 "the next rounds on me". Three cheers for Wimbledon, three cheers for Ashley Fisher, and three pounds for a beer - that's Summer Tennis.
Posted by james at July 2, 2003 05:16 AM | TrackBack