Day 35 | PERTH– Okay, so they weren’t front row, but we were so close that when I focused on the game; it was like no one was in front of us. Lynne & Nat’s Christmas Present to us kids(to Isaac, Stephanie (Isaac’s sister-in-law), and myself), was more than any of us could have asked for to be able to share together!
Included in the price of our ticket was a train transportation to and from the event. It was a short 10 minute walk to the stadium (I felt horrible as Steph’s wedges didn’t even survive the first 5 mins- both straps broke!). The Perth Arena is surrounded by a mix of old and modern architecture. The arena itself was a 700 million dollar stadium; modern shapes, an electronic roof that opened up to reveal the clouds/stars, and beautiful materials. Walking in felt like an honor, and even more exciting was to be sitting couldn’t have been more than 12 rows away from all the action. It was packed too with loud, boisterous Polish Fans and the more reserved French Fans to support there teams. Admist the large cultural fan base were the Aussies who had chosen a side to support and enjoy as the excitement unraveled on the courts.
There have been studies that speculate that you actually burn several calories during intense sporting matches. I always thought that was a bunch of bull, but sitting there in the stadium, I could feel my heart in my throat, sitting on the edge of my seat, my eyeballs bulging from the lack of blinking; not wanting to miss a single millisecond. Honestly, from our seats, being a fan was tiring. The matches went until midnight. France one the men’s singles, and Poland won the women’s singles. Tired, and ready to call it a game (this particular tournament would not affect their ranking, and second place prize money wasn’t anything to turn your nose up at!), they gave the French a good run but joyously played for the love of the game.
It was a magical night and unlike anything I have ever seen. I also didn’t know that I had fallen for a man who’s family loved tennis more than I loved playing it. What a sweet surprise indeed!
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