|
June 18, 2009 |
Well Wimbledon is fast approching again.
This was my favorite grand slam to play and is one of the tournaments that I miss not being able to get out on those courts and play on since retiring. I always enjoyed the difficulty of playing on grass. I am really sad that the style of play has changed so much in the past ten years as I would love to see more serve and volley. I was very fortunate to play Wimbledon 15 times and it was always interesting to see the how the game changed from a serve and volley game to a baseline game over the years. I guess the new technology in raquets and balls have had some good and bad in them.
I really would like for Roger Federer to win again this year. Firstly being a friend of mine but secondly because he is the best grass court player out there. I just wish that he would try to come to the net more as he is so graceful coming forward and so nice to watch. He is such a complete player. I have had such great memories being at the grounds of the All England Club that everyone should make the trip to go there to be a part of the spectacle.
|
| |
|
April 26, 2009 |
I am so happy to be invited back to the Cayman Islandsd this year. This is such a wonderful place with amazing hospitality and a gorgeous resort. The event is great and there is so many other South Africans! It is really nice to get away to such an amazing place and play tennis. The wind was really gusty and it is disappointing to play tennis in it. I did get to see some of the island and swim with the dolphins as well as enjoy the unbelievable golf course at the Ritz. I am going to go home and practice 5 days a week and really get in tip top shape for my next OCS event.
-Wayne
|
| |
|
April 17, 2008 |
Hey from the Cayman Islands! It's really tough being here. Sorry you all can’t be here to suffer with me. Of course, I'm kidding, because - wow - what a great place. I got here a few days ago and have been enjoying the nice weather. Unfortunately it has been a bit windy which has been the only drawback.
So far the tennis has been going very well for me too. I have managed to work my game through the wind and have been playing good tennis. I had a tough match yesterday against Paul Haarhuis that I was very happy to win, since he has been in good form the past year and winning most of the events he has played. Today, I played and beat Todd Martin which is also a great victory for me as I have lost to him the last two times I have played against him. I play against Michael Pernfors tomorrow which will be fun as he and I play very similar tennis and always have very enjoyable and entertaining matches. I am trying, in between the matches, to do some of the nice activities that they offer here on Grand Cayman. I would be very disappointed if I didn’t get to snorkel or see the Stingray City. Everyone says it's great.
So, got to go. So many things to do. Next time I will let you all know before hand when I am coming down here and you can all come and enjoy the island fever with me. Until next time never give up you will always be surprised what you can win.
-Wayne
|
| |
|
September 19, 2007 |
I am getting ready to make my trip back to the Palisades in Charlotte for the Outback Champions Series event. I am really excited to go back this year, since Charlotte was the first event I played on the Champions Series last year. I remember being very nervous to get back out there to play competitive tennis after I had retired from the ATP tour. I was so impressed by so many things. First of all, the Palisades club is truly wonderful. It had only been open for a short time so it is going to be fun to see it a year older. What a beautiful setting. The people working at the club are also very nice and made my stay there fantastic. I was also very surprised how well the guys still played. I was hoping that they wouldn't be as good as they are but the standard of tennis was so high. Luckily I was still playing a lot of tennis so I was able to be very competitive. The tournament this year is going to be very tough. As usual, these events have some outstanding players.
I am looking forward to meeting up with some really nice people, many that I met while there last year. I have already organized my tee times too since the on-site golf course I have no doubt, it is going to be a great event again.
I have been practicing a lot for this as I want to do better than I did last year. Look out here I come.
|
| |
|
September 22, 2006 |
I am here in Charlotte for the Outback Champions Series. So far it has been a great week. Yesterday I played my first competitive match in 2 years against Sergi Bruguera. I was pleased with my level of play. It was tough physically but also enjoyable. I have missed playing like this and it was so great to be able to do it again. I didn’t end up winning the match but I enjoyed every minute of it!
Today was a better day as I beat Aaron Krickstein in a good 2 set match. This is my first event on the Outback Series. It is a fantastic circuit. The players are still in such great shape and playing at such a high level. It is great to be back around them. I unfortunately haven’t had much time to see Charlotte but the Ballantyne Resort where we are staying is world class, as is the new Palisades, where the tennis event is being played. Hopefully before I leave I will get a chance to play 18 holes of golf here at The Palisades. The course looks awesome and I have been told that it is one of the best in the Charlotte area. Even though I would like to play golf, I would prefer to win my match tomorrow against Jim Courier and be here to play tennis rather than golf on Sunday.
One thing that has been so cool is the tennis support here. The crowd has been awesome. It has made playing so much fun. Well, I am excited for my match tomorrow and will definitely play well and have as much fun as I can.
|
| |
