I first kept abreast with development in soccer after watching the 1995 Champions League final on television, I think, when Ajax Amsterdam won the European Cup. The 2010 Australian Open is the tennis equivalence of that for me. I think, I am a tennis fan now.
I was at my first ever Grand Slam several days ago and I loved the atmosphere through and through. A little bit of sunburn was not enough to deter my enthusiasm, no siree!
The best match that I saw was a double match between Gonzalez-Ljubicic pair and the Australian Ball-Huss pair on Day 6. It was exciting because each was catching up with the other but no one was breaking through. It was especially exciting after watching Davydenko abused Monaco in men’s single and seeing Vedasco winning after his opponent retired early. I wanted some action and I got some action.
Some Australian audience turned the atmosphere into something that one would only expect during a soccer match. But then again, what do I know? This is my first Open.
Gonzalez became the target of these audience but the way he handled it was admirable. So admirable that the audience loved him even as Australians supported Ball and Huss for the obvious reason. The Australian pair lost, but I dare say that the audience won.
The next Grand Slam is the French Open in Paris. I am dreaming of perhaps an impossible dream of going there in either May or June this year. I now have a real incentive to work and save.