tanaquiljall: (Default)
[personal profile] tanaquiljall
Last Friday, my mum and I went to Wimbledon to enjoy our Centre Court tickets that we got in the public ballot. It was Men's Semifinals day, so we were guaranteed some top quality tennis, and we got it. The day wasn't completely perfect—that would have involved Andy Murray winning his match—but it was pretty close, and we had a fantastic time. *g*

The first picture is me standing outside Centre Court. The second picture was taken underneath Centre Court, where you got access to the gangways to get to your seat, they had some lovely banners with the names and pictures of the champions. All the Brits reading will understand why the one I've show a picture of is is the one British people are fixated on...alas, we will have to wait at least another year for a British Men's champion.

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This is a shot of the Broadcast Centre – the curving window is the studio where the BBC presenters and the "talking heads" sit. One of the broadcasters was doing a piece-to-camera from the roof while I took this..

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The first picture is looking up from the bottom of "Henman Hill" as it was filling up before play started. The second one is looking down from the top of "Henman Hill" at the big screen where people who haven't got tickets for the show courts watch the matches. They were showing last year's final, and then Murray's epic match from the previous Monday at the start of the day.

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Looking across from the top of Henman Hill to Centre Court with the new roof. We didn't get to see it closed – quite a lot of gloomy looking clouds scudded over while we were there, but it didn't rain. And the clouds meant it wasn't as hot on Centre Court as it had been on previous days except when the bright sun came out. We were still applying lots of SPF50 sunblock though!

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This is inside Centre Court, and the view from our seats, and a picture of my mum in Centre Court. As you can see, the seats were fantastic: 12 rows back from courtside, which is on the same level as the front of the Royal Box, and right opposite one of the service lines. I've never sat this close to courtside at a professional match, and I was bowled over by the speed and power with which the top players play; you just don't get the same sense of that on TV.

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Here are some pictures of the players. First Federer and Haas, at the net with the umpire for the coin toss and then Haas warming up and Federer warming up.

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Then here are Murray and Roddick for their coin toss, Murray warming up and Roddick warming up.

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The matches themselves were very good: competitive and of a good standard, if not exceptional. While Federer won in three sets, Haas pushed him in each set. And although Murray lost, I didn't feel too disappointed, because he still played well; Roddick just played even better.

At the end of the day, we went back to Henman Hill so my mum could have the experience of sitting on the hill and watching one of the matches still being played on the big screen. So, finally, here is my mum in front of the 2009 floral display at the top of Henman Hill, just to prove exactly when we were there.

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Date: 2009-07-06 07:28 pm (UTC)
paranoidangel: PA (Default)
From: [personal profile] paranoidangel
I blame you completely for Friday being a bad day for the Murray family :)

Date: 2009-07-13 08:37 pm (UTC)
paranoidangel: PA (Default)
From: [personal profile] paranoidangel
Good point - don't let your mum see the Murrays play live again :)

Date: 2009-07-06 08:15 pm (UTC)
ext_47048: (Default)
From: [identity profile] jay-of-lasgalen.livejournal.com
**Am envious**

I watch Wimbledon as much as I can, but it must be a totally different experience to actually be there. There were some great matches this year - but I think the best was the Murray/Warinska (sp?) match. The final was mmarvellous, but lacked the tension of last year's.

Date: 2009-07-07 05:02 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] radbooks.livejournal.com
How wonderful for you and your mum! I'm not a huge tennis fan, but I enjoy most sports (college basketball is my favorite) and going to one of the top sporting events in the world would be a very special treat. I've never seen all of these background areas before so thanks for sharing those!

Date: 2009-07-09 04:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] telperion1.livejournal.com
Looks like you had a great day! Personally I care very little for tennis, but even I can enjoy a good day at a big sporting event even when I don't like the sport. Glad you enjoyed it.

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