jeevs
07-01-2007, 04:55 AM
.....It is my job to go up to the locker room and collect the players and make sure they get to Centre Court or No.1 Court on time, which is sometimes easy, especially when it is players such as Tim Henman and Roger Federer, who are always ready on time but, typically, when I am dealing with South Americans or even Rafael Nadal, it can sometimes be more difficult.
Rafael is a delightful boy but when I go up to let him know he has two minutes, he always says "OK" with that big smile of his, but then goes through a ritual that always takes longer. It's not on purpose though, and his uncle told me that if I want him ready for 1pm I should get him at 12.30pm. I did tell him a little lie before last year's final because that is the one day, with the whole world watching, when we can't run late.......:)
.......Over the years I have been privileged to meet so many great players. I started in the era of Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg and have enjoyed many walks down to Centre Court with Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Martina Navratilova as well as my favourites - Steffi Graf, who was always so sweet and humble and Roger Federer, who is a true gentleman who always takes an interest in what is happening with others. This year he arrived and put a hand on my shoulder and asked what I had been up to in the year since we had last met. He is a lovely man but he did cause some panic when we couldn't find him before one of his matches. Eventually we learned he had made his own way out to No.1 Court and had left a message which I hadn't received.......
......people like Andy Roddick, who I always thought of as an arrogant, cocky, brash American, but is actually a very generous and down-to-earth person. I was impressed with his gesture at Queen's Club when he handed a racquet to a disabled fan at the end of his match and I think he really appreciates the fans. The Williams sisters are another two who surprised me. They are always ready with a smile. They love Wimbledon........
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/othersport.cfm?id=1026582007
Rafael is a delightful boy but when I go up to let him know he has two minutes, he always says "OK" with that big smile of his, but then goes through a ritual that always takes longer. It's not on purpose though, and his uncle told me that if I want him ready for 1pm I should get him at 12.30pm. I did tell him a little lie before last year's final because that is the one day, with the whole world watching, when we can't run late.......:)
.......Over the years I have been privileged to meet so many great players. I started in the era of Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg and have enjoyed many walks down to Centre Court with Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Martina Navratilova as well as my favourites - Steffi Graf, who was always so sweet and humble and Roger Federer, who is a true gentleman who always takes an interest in what is happening with others. This year he arrived and put a hand on my shoulder and asked what I had been up to in the year since we had last met. He is a lovely man but he did cause some panic when we couldn't find him before one of his matches. Eventually we learned he had made his own way out to No.1 Court and had left a message which I hadn't received.......
......people like Andy Roddick, who I always thought of as an arrogant, cocky, brash American, but is actually a very generous and down-to-earth person. I was impressed with his gesture at Queen's Club when he handed a racquet to a disabled fan at the end of his match and I think he really appreciates the fans. The Williams sisters are another two who surprised me. They are always ready with a smile. They love Wimbledon........
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/othersport.cfm?id=1026582007