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I think this kind of thread must have been created in the past, forgive me then. You have many nice memories of making fools of yourselves in front of tennis players. And I wanted to share my just-translated article from Szczecin challenger (BTW I promised to translate as many as I can, here goes another one and I guess the last one cause I'm leaving for uni soon). Maybe someone would like to share own experiences in this matter? (Kristen?)Kindest greetings from Poland,
Nathaliia. :wavey:
Ball! Retrieve!
In the morning, when in the courts at Polish Army street there are no spectators, only the security guys out of boredom don't want to let the journalists into the press office, they already work hard. They, I mean the tennis players with their coaches.
Watching the practise schedule available in tournament's office, it's difficult to have doubts that the real Stakhanovite keeping form upon norm is Juan Ignacio Chela. Number one of the tournament can be announced for few hours long training on many courts at the same time, often with his friend and compatriot Mariano Zabaleta, who's absent in Szczecin from Tuesday. Argentine Chela's preparations have much in common with things presented in Poland by the Frenchman Gael Monfils (it's good that he doesn't play rugby in the street so far!) - the practise starts with volley game in service fields with two coaches. “Eeeeh, aaaaaaaah!” - Chela pretends the highest effort, playing a soft ball just to the other side of the net. “Buennissima!” - compliments his coach. Another solution taken from Monfils' team is quite original training – without the player's participation. Because this one stands nearby, keeping the improvement of his “bosses” last with the video camera. When the doubles finalist, great Argentinian Sebastian Prieto, enters the court, the real match begins: Chela hits the backhand volley standing opposite to the net, being happy: “I play like Max Mirnyi!”. Satisfied, he doesn't see when Prieto quietly runs to the ball and sends a lob with a comment: “I play like Guillermo Canas!”. Meanwhile, on the next court, Teimuraz Gabashvili runs in his military moro trousers, trying not to tire his injured right arm.
Who thinks that after this dose of emotion, nothing can surprise him or her, should have a walk towards the doubles sparring of Tom Vanhoudt (Belgium) and Tomas Cibulec (Czech Republic) as one pair, and seeded one Argentinians Martin Garcia with Mariano Hood. The last ones lost on previous day to Prieto and Agustin Calleri, the next opponents of sparring partners. Mariano Hood, asked if he came here as a spy or he wants to give some tips as a revenge, answered, he didn't want to be controversial (I'm not like you – he said). He didn't manage to reach his goal in 100%. Time after time he hit some balls on purpose outside the court, shouting to brave spectators, beautiful hostesses: “Ball! Retrieve!” and they were bringing the balls back to Hood with smiles on their faces. His doubles partner, instead, had a close meeting with a sponsor's umbrella, standing next to his desk, which taken up by the wind, suddenly hit the Argentine on his back. Furious Garcia run around the court after flying umbrella, finally he got it, furled it gently, and threw it angrily to reach the court ground. Things were no worse on the other side of the net. “Ciba on fireeee” - shouted Hood after perfect shots of Cibulec. In quite specific way Tom Vanhoudt was practising the accuracy of his shots: he found the non-signed below press-office girl as a target. When he finally managed to hit her ankle from the big smash, he pulled his hands up in the gesture of triumph, completely ignoring accusations of killing attempts.
But not always the tennis players are aggressive, sometimes they are victims, too. Like Alberto Martin from Spain, who was watered with the water from the tube. The proof on how little the tube operator had it in control was the fact, that instead of the red sand the poured water on banners around the court. Martin still seemed to get too few of wet substance. After he had finished the training, he went to take the shower, situated next to the press office, what helped us hear the Spaniard singing at the shower. Being honest, he should stick to playing tennis, he's already in the semifinal.
Nathaliia. :wavey:
Ball! Retrieve!
In the morning, when in the courts at Polish Army street there are no spectators, only the security guys out of boredom don't want to let the journalists into the press office, they already work hard. They, I mean the tennis players with their coaches.
Watching the practise schedule available in tournament's office, it's difficult to have doubts that the real Stakhanovite keeping form upon norm is Juan Ignacio Chela. Number one of the tournament can be announced for few hours long training on many courts at the same time, often with his friend and compatriot Mariano Zabaleta, who's absent in Szczecin from Tuesday. Argentine Chela's preparations have much in common with things presented in Poland by the Frenchman Gael Monfils (it's good that he doesn't play rugby in the street so far!) - the practise starts with volley game in service fields with two coaches. “Eeeeh, aaaaaaaah!” - Chela pretends the highest effort, playing a soft ball just to the other side of the net. “Buennissima!” - compliments his coach. Another solution taken from Monfils' team is quite original training – without the player's participation. Because this one stands nearby, keeping the improvement of his “bosses” last with the video camera. When the doubles finalist, great Argentinian Sebastian Prieto, enters the court, the real match begins: Chela hits the backhand volley standing opposite to the net, being happy: “I play like Max Mirnyi!”. Satisfied, he doesn't see when Prieto quietly runs to the ball and sends a lob with a comment: “I play like Guillermo Canas!”. Meanwhile, on the next court, Teimuraz Gabashvili runs in his military moro trousers, trying not to tire his injured right arm.
Who thinks that after this dose of emotion, nothing can surprise him or her, should have a walk towards the doubles sparring of Tom Vanhoudt (Belgium) and Tomas Cibulec (Czech Republic) as one pair, and seeded one Argentinians Martin Garcia with Mariano Hood. The last ones lost on previous day to Prieto and Agustin Calleri, the next opponents of sparring partners. Mariano Hood, asked if he came here as a spy or he wants to give some tips as a revenge, answered, he didn't want to be controversial (I'm not like you – he said). He didn't manage to reach his goal in 100%. Time after time he hit some balls on purpose outside the court, shouting to brave spectators, beautiful hostesses: “Ball! Retrieve!” and they were bringing the balls back to Hood with smiles on their faces. His doubles partner, instead, had a close meeting with a sponsor's umbrella, standing next to his desk, which taken up by the wind, suddenly hit the Argentine on his back. Furious Garcia run around the court after flying umbrella, finally he got it, furled it gently, and threw it angrily to reach the court ground. Things were no worse on the other side of the net. “Ciba on fireeee” - shouted Hood after perfect shots of Cibulec. In quite specific way Tom Vanhoudt was practising the accuracy of his shots: he found the non-signed below press-office girl as a target. When he finally managed to hit her ankle from the big smash, he pulled his hands up in the gesture of triumph, completely ignoring accusations of killing attempts.
But not always the tennis players are aggressive, sometimes they are victims, too. Like Alberto Martin from Spain, who was watered with the water from the tube. The proof on how little the tube operator had it in control was the fact, that instead of the red sand the poured water on banners around the court. Martin still seemed to get too few of wet substance. After he had finished the training, he went to take the shower, situated next to the press office, what helped us hear the Spaniard singing at the shower. Being honest, he should stick to playing tennis, he's already in the semifinal.
Well she threw a ball to the court next to the one where she was practicing and she seemed to be so worried not to get it back. But with my friend we asked a ballboy on the other court (they were playing an exhibition match so there were ballboys) to give it back and Dinara said "Merci" to us. :angel: 
