**********
After watching Venus survive a nail-biter, I thought it couldn't get any better, but I was wrong. My FSU hookup, Jason, tracked me down and asked if I wanted to hit the Tsonga-Querrey match on court 2. I said I needed to leave, but had a great time. We didn't have any tickets and I couldn't get in. He said he thought there was a decent chance our names would be on Querrey's list from his earlier meeting with Steve's manager. Without being sure, I figured why not at least check. It was, hold cow - so they let us in. Just a minute later we are sitting in the same box with his coach, his hitting partner, and his girlfriend (google it). I got to meet Trey Wingo people!! [Who for some reason was there with an ESPN executive that I didn't recognize. Yes, like the Trey Wingo of NFL live and the guy who is now hopping into the Mike Greenberg role on Mike & Mike in the morning.]
The Querrey match was a treat. We were cheering for him aggressively and right across from Tsonga's box. Tsonga's French and his box reflected the short distance between his home and Wimbledon. It was packed full. My favorite was the guy who was CLEARLY his brother (they look a lot alike). Sam's box was about 2/3rds full, we were actually quite welcome because it's probably embarrassing to have half the box empty. But Jason and I tried to make sure the less populated box was still the loudest!!! I'm lucky because yelling out "Sam" loudly over other voices is something I'm quite practiced at 😊 [shout-out to an adorable 5 year who is also having a fun trip this month] Steph later told me she could make my voice out from watching the match on TV. Also, the inside scoop is that "Big Q" is also one of his favorites - we picked that up from the others in the box and adopted it.
At 6-5 Querrey in the fifth, the official came out to let both players know they could quit. At that point it takes both deciding to play on. Querrey told the umpire he was game - after all - he had FTL correspondent extraordinaire Greg Burge in his box - so how could he lose - but Tsonga was the wet blanket. [I made up parts of that last sequence, you may be able to guess which parts.] After making the sweet 16, Querrey gets Kevin Anderson - as I write this they are just tied up one set each. You can probably guess I'm pulling for big Sam to be a surprise entry into the top 8. If he does make it, and if he faces Murray....Big Sam needs to get ready for Centre court.....that's for sure. If I get the call to head box to his box as a good luck charm I'm up for it.
Anyway, such fun. Since Stephanie and Sam are a big part of this trip and Wimbledon's not exactly 5 year old friendly, this may be my last trip to the grounds this month.....hopefully I'll be back some day. That's my report people, surely it came across that I'm glad I'm here and I'm glad to bring the action to the FTL crew!!!
**********
Thanks so much, Greg! What a terrific report that gives us the inside scoop on an unforgettable experience. And now you can say that your voice has been broadcast on TV to homes all over the world. Cool river. If you are able to return to the grounds this weekend, maybe they'll let you accept your Wimbledon title on Centre Court!
No comments:
Post a Comment