It is great to be here in Newport. It is a beautiful town and the site is really impressive. A very nice and historic club. It is always nice to come to tennis clubs where you can sense the history of the game. You get that sense at the French Open when you walk on Centre Court and of course at Wimbledon, where I won my only Grand Slam title of my career. The Hall of Fame is something I have never visited, so that is something on my list that I will definitely do this week.
Wednesday I lost in straight sets to Todd Martin. Todd played a very good match and I believe his going to be hard to beat on the grass with his big and very accurate serve and his dangerous groundstrokes. Despite my loss I really enjoyed myself. The crowd was great and it was nice to play on the grass courts again. Thursday I had a day off and I am getting ready for my match today against Jim Courier. Jim is one of my toughest opponents I have faced during my career and after. During our professional career we played 10 times and I won 1 time. And we have played 3 times after we retired and I am 0-3. You would think that I would not be feeling too good about my chances tomorrow. You couldn't be more mistaken. This has been all part of a long term strategy: I trying to get Jim to relax when he plays me, and then I will take full advantage of his lack of focus. Though this strategy has backfired so far, I believe today is my day! If you are a betting man then remember this inside tip from me.
Next monday the US Open is starting already and I will visit the first 2 days. It is such an impressive event with the huge stadium court and a very enthusiastic and vocal crowd. The night matches at the Open are something special. In the men’s event, there are 4 favorites for me: Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Roddick. Roger for obvious reasons. But Djokovic and Nadal have beaten Federer on the hard court and will force Federer to play his best tennis to capture his fourth consecutive US Open crown. For me Andy Roddick is always a contender. He won here before and he has got the crowd behind. It will be an interesting match when Federer and Roddick will play each other in the quarter final.
However I am still here in Newport for a few days and that brings out the fisherman in me. Today, after I beat Jim, I am going to celebrate it with a nice fishing trip. I heard you can catch Striped Bass and some other fish that I don't know the name of. I will bring the camera, and will share with you all the pictures of the big fish I am going to catch. Unfortunately I am only allowed 20 pictures on the site. So I will make a selection of the biggest fish:)
July 11, 2007
On Saturday 7th of July, it was exactly 11 years ago that I won Wimbledon. And now I was back at the courts, to play over-35's with Pat Cash, and even playing a few games with my children Emma (9) and Alec (7) on Aorangi, the practice courts. They were so happy and excited to play in the shadow of the majestic centre court, with the loud cheers and applaus of the Nadal-Djokovic match in the background. But then a gentleman appraoched. He came to tell me that non-competitors are not allowed to play on Aerangi, but added that the pratice-courts in the back were not really visible. How very British: we have rules, but we also have a heart. Of course I understand that children cannot turn the practice-courts into their own little playground, but it's nice to see that the people who work at Wimbledon also understand that children are the future of tennis.
My kids adore Nadal. He is so very approachable and a true champion at heart. He played some tennis with them on Mallorca, and since then Nadal is their hero. When he had to leave Court One one day because of the pouring rain, he actually stopped and signed autographs for some children in the crowd. He got really wet, but he didn't care. He realised that these children came out to see him, and as he only played a few games because of the rain, he thought the least he could do was stop and sign their programs. As a father, I know what this means to children. The game of tennis needs new young fans and players, and stars like Nadal inspire the youngsters.
I really like playing over-35's, especially with Pat Cash. The crowds love him, and he is giving a great show every time he comes out. We played Ivanisevic-Pioline and lost in a very tight champions tiebreak, but it was very entertaining. Our match against the Woodies had Court 1 packed with people. I remembered the last match I played there in 2002, against Philippoussis in the 4th round, when I came back after 20 months of injuries, to reach the quaterfinals again. Back then I was really tense, but now us 'oldies' can come out and play, just because we love the game so much. The crowd like these matches a lot, because the players actually laugh (what?!) and enjoy themselves. When you are a professional tennisplayer, so much is depending on you winning matches: the dreams you have, all the years you have put in the sport, the ranking, the career, the sponsorship deals, the expectations of the people in your home country, the press. The crowd enjoy a lovely fortnight of watching tennis, but for the players, it's their job. Which is ok, it's all part of the deal.
But I'm happy now to be on the other side, as a tournament director and a former champion. People ask me if its special to see my name on the marble plaquette, up there in the players lounge, with all the winners. Off course it is. But I don't need the marble plaquette to remind me. It will always be in my heart. And that's why I love coming back there and do what I love to do most: play tennis.
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