Last Night and Today

Last Night

Okay, I am going to talk about the sisters, but first, I want to give you a little report on my activities of last night.

I had the best time!! Went to the fireworks at Southbank, had drinks and a bite to eat at Young’s, and then went to the Midnight production of The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare’s Globe. Whether or not you like Shakespeare; this is something you should not miss if you are in London. This late night show draws an interesting, fun crowd.

Costumed musicians entertain with Elizabethan music as you enter the theatre. I could picture how it must have been in 1599, when the plays were first performed. The stage juts out into the audience, giving an air of familiarity and intimacy to the work. The theatre goer becomes an important part of the performance, reacting, applauding, and responding to the actors. This couldn’t have been a more English and uniuqe experience.

I was tempted to hit one of the clubs after the play, but thought better of it, because, (a) I didn’t want to be comatose today, and (b) I knew that getting back to Southfields where I’m staying was going take a long time.

The underground stops running at about midnight, so I had to take the N (night) bus back to the house I’m renting. From Southbank, I caught a bus to Piccadilly, then walked to Trafalgar Square where the N buses stop. The square is buzzing at this late hour with hundreds of people who have been out at bars, restaurants, and clubs, waiting for busses that stop here for all points in London. It’s very confusing because there are a lot of corners and busses here and you have to find the place where your bus stops.

The signage is not good, and people tell you lots of different places where you should be standing to catch your bus. I’ve done this many times in the past so I sort of remembered where to go, and as luck would have it, I got it right. The N57 came in about 20 minutes and I boarded to the 45 minute ride to Southfields.

The bus is populated with people who have had a lot to drink, some sleeping, some rowdy, and a couple across the isle from me who should have gotten a hotel room. I’m seriously tired, but don’t’ want to fall asleep and miss my stop, so I stay awake and amuse myself talking to the guy next to me. He’s young, probably around 22. He and his pals came from Scotland to see Andy Murray. They were all out at a club, and somehow got separated so he decided to go back to Wimbledon on his own. His accent is so thick I can hardly understand him, but he’s had enough to drink so I doubt if my answers really matter anyway.

I finally make it back to my house around 3:30 AM, and am SO happy to see my bed!

The Women’s Final

Well, everyone was right about Venus, and I want to tell you that the photographers in the pit were glad to see her holding the gold trophy after only two sets. The match, frankly was nothing special. Shooters was expecting a big match point, hoping for one great photo, but I didn’t think this would be the case as Venus would not want to rub it in to her sister that she had won, and I was right. She smiled, waved and hugged Serena. I think this photo of them hugging is the most interesting photo I got today. Note where Serena’s arm is … she is not hugging back.

Revealing? No comment.

The Night Bus

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July!! The worst part of this job is being away from home on holidays. I’m in Paris for Memorial Day, New York for Labor Day, and Miami for my birthday. Now many of you may say, “so what’s so bad about that?” Well, things could definitely be worse, and I’ve learned to make the best of it. I’m planning a big evening here in London, celebrating my Independence from the Brits.

I’m leaving here at 8PM weather or not the matches are finished, taking the train to Southbank to watch the fireworks display over the river. I did this last year and it was great!! From there I’ll head to the Midnight Matinee at the Globe Theatre. I’m very excited about this! Shakespeare’s Globe is one of my favorite places, and they are doing the Merry Wives of Windsor tonite so it will be fun light entertainment.

The theatre is very cool, it’s a faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse designed in 1599 where the original works of Shakespeare were performed. Built in 1997, it is approximately 225 yards from the original Globe Theatre. The building is circular in shape, with the stage along one wall, and a large circular yard area where you can buy standing room tickets for 5 GBP. This is surrounded by three tiers of steeply banked seating where the tickets go for between 15 and 33 pounds. I like to buy the standing room so I can mill around and see the show from different perspectives. You can also get right next to the stage if you are in the yard. It’s very casual and people are friendly.

Then, if I’m still standing I’ll hit one of the nearby clubs where you can dance until 5. I may be a bit slow tomorrow, but hey... it’s the Fourth of July! I’ll share photos and tales tomorrow.

As for tennis, we have the sisters in the final tomorrow, and surprise surprise, Roger and Rafa on Sunday. Venus has already won in the fashion department. She definitely had the best dress in the tournament, after saying that she didn’t care what she wore, she was just concentrating on the yellow ball. Serena is another story. This is a girl who should not be wearing ruffled tail feathers.

Most of the press I’m talking to is thinking that Venus will be holding the golden trophy at the end of the match. The last time they met in a major final was at Wimbledon five years ago. Serena won, but Venus was injured, and unfit, so it really wasn’t a good test. Whoever wins the photographers are sure there will be good photos, and truth is… that’s all we really care about. Both sisters are very good at giving big match points and huge celebrations after winning, so tomorrow should be a good day.

The Royals

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam to have a Royal Box. Of course England is the only place that still has “Royals”. The other slams have a Presidents Box, but how can that compete with “Royal”?
Each day the press center puts out a list of guests in the Royal Box. I must admit that I have no idea who ninety nine percent of them are, but I can tell by the British photographers pointing long lens in that direction, when s someone of importance is in residence.
Guests enter at the All England club main clubhouse and make their way to the Royal Box via two staircases which separate the royals and theVIP’s from the general public. They are treated to lunch between 11:30 and 12:45 pm. Champange is served, but not too much, as one guest put it, “They linit the amount of alcohol served at lunch so you don’t fall asleep in the afternoon”.
“The Royal Box has 74 seats. They are dark green Lloyd Loom wicker chairs.” This comes directly from the Public Relations handout. I don’t know why, but this sentence makes me laugh. It just seems so “Wimbledon”, to mention the color and brand of the chairs in the Royal Box. As if it were really important in what brand of chair the Royal Bottoms reside.

“Protocol – dress is smart, suits/jacket and ties etc. Ladies are asked not to wear hats, as they tend to obscure the vision of those seated behind them”. This, another proclamation from the Public Relations department. Of course I would think that different people may have varied interpretations of “smart”. Are rock stars invited? What is their idea of “smart”. Are nose rings and purple hair acceptable? Well, of course I’m letting my imagination get the best of me. Am I mad… they wouldn’t be invited in the first place. I’m sure that anyone so honored with an invite certainly knows the proper meaning of “smart” attire.

Children are another group banned from the Royal Box. The Duchess of Kent, who presents the winners trophy and whose husband, the Duke of Kent, is President of the All England Club, received a letter stating that children are not allowed after requesting an invitation for her 10 year old god son. She was quite unhappy about this, and threatened to boycott the Championships. Perhaps the committee was concerned that children had not yet learned the meaning of “smart” apparel.

In 2003 headlines declared the end to the bowing and curtsey by players to Royals in the box when entering or leaving the court. This was big news. Paying respect to the Royals was a time honored tradition, but the Duke of Kent, made the request that this practice no longer be necessary. All England chief executive Christopher Gorringe said. "It's sad, but we have to move on. We know there is very little bowing or curtsying done in royal circles now." Yes, progress is being made at the Championships.

The only exceptions are for HM The Queen and her son, HRH The Prince of Wales. However, players don’t have much to worry about, has not been in attendance since 1977 when she presented the trophy to Virginia Wade, and Prince Charles made his solo appearance in 1970.

The Queen’s father, Duke of York, Prince Albert, who later became King George VI, was the only Royal to ever compete in the Championship. Perhaps this explains her distaste for the sport.

Camp Wimbledon

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The overnight queue is as much a tradition at Wimbledon as playing on grass or wearing white. In previous years, the campers lined up on the sidewalk along Church Road. It was a great party atmosphere with people coming from as far away as Australia to join in the fun. They set up tents, barbeque, and of course there were always large coolers full of beverages, often alcoholic. I always enjoyed the walk back to my house, after the matches, stopping to chat, share a drink, a story, a laugh with the fans.

However, this year they have moved the campers to Wimbledon Park which is across the street from the All England Club. This is large park adjacent to Church Road where they used to pitch their tents. Apparently the residents of this upscale suburb didn’t like the idea of people camping out on their sidewalk. Too bad, this was such a fun part of the Championships.I talked to a lot of the fans, and they seem to have mixed feelings about the move, while the sidewalk was a tradition and seemed more spontaneous, it was nicer to camp on the grass(unless it rained, then the grass got pretty muddy) rather than the pavement.

The park was already sea of tents, and it was only PM and the fans would keep arriving until late in the evening. One of the stewards told me that they expected 800 to 1,000 people hoping to get tickets for Andy Murray’s quarter final match.

Fans start arriving as early as 6PM so they can get one of the first numbered cards given out when you join the queue. This was started in 2003, because they were having so much trouble with people jumping the queue. Nice British people jumping the queue? Impossible! It must have been the Aussie’s! At least this was the opinion of some of the English campers I spoke to. After all everyone knows that the British have a tradition of queuing, and they know and respect the rules. (smile).

Once they have their numbers, and a designated space, they set to work getting organized. Most of them have small tents, but there are a few who brave it with just sleeping bags, or a blanket. If haven’t brought your own supplies, there is a catering truck selling burgers, fries, hot dogs and drinks. Need a little entertainment? Well, you can play football in the field next to the tent area, or you can watch TV on your portable, play board games, maybe get a little work done on your laptop. There is lots of socializing, and meeting new and old friends. One group told me that this was the 22nd time they have camped here. Twice for each championship for 11 years. They met in the queue, got to be friends, and now make it a tradition to camp together. Another fan dressed up in the British flag with a great home designed told me that this is his nineteenth year, and each year he makes a special hat for the occasion

The party goes on late into the night, and those that manage to get a few ZZZ’s are awakened by the stewards at 6AM so they have time to pack up and form the queue. At 7:30 Am the Stewards hand out 1500 court specific wristbands starting at the front of the queue. Those lucky enough to be among the first 300 will have their choice of any court they want. The others will have to take what ever is available, but everyone is happy and excited just to be experiencing the Wimbledon Championships.

This is a hearty and dedicated group. They are young, old, cool, conservative. I’ve seen them camping in some pretty nasty weather, but they are not deterred. They are here to party, have some fun, meet new friends, and watch great tennis.

TRADITION !!

Wimbledon and Tradition go together like … Rafa and knee length pants, Arod and big serves, Roland Garros and red clay, Pete Sampras and the Wimbledon Trophy.

The Grass

The grass courts at Wimbledon are 100 percent rye grass which is considered the slowest of the four different types of grass courts worldwide. There are nineteen main courts and twenty two practice courts. Although Center and Court One are not in use except during the Championships, the other forty are used by the members of the club on a regular basis.

As you can imagine, maintaining these courts takes a tremendous year round effort. Approximately one ton of seed is used yearly. During the Championships the courts are relined, rolled, and mowed to a precise 8mm in height every day. A maximum of 3,000 gallons of water is allotted for use during the two weeks…. Of course most of the time, mother nature provides more than enough water to keep the grass green. A special compound that contains china clay is used to create the white lines.

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White Clothing

Predominately white clothing is still required for all players. This tradition was started because it was thought that perspiration did not show as much on white clothing. A couple of years ago, the juniors got wind of the fact that if you show up for a match in a colored shirt, the tournament would give you a white one… I don’t have to tell you how many juniors came wearing colored shirts!

Bow and Curtsy

In the old days, the male players had to bow and the female players had to curtsy to any member of the British royal family who sat in the Royal Box, but progress has been made, Now players must bow or curtsy only if Queen Elizabeth or her son, Charles, the Prince of Wales is at the match.

Middle Sunday

No play on the middle Sunday. I’ve talked about this. This in my opinion is the BEST tradition, one that is unique to Wimbledon and that I hope they never change.

Strawberries and Cream

How did this treat become synonymous with the Championships? The tradition started around the time of the first Wimbledon tournament in 1877. The simple fact is that the event was played at the only time of year that strawberries were available, and that it was a fashionable thing to eat in the late 1800.

Being a California girl used to giant costal strawberries, I was suspicious of the rather small berries served here, but they are surprisingly tasty. The official berry for Wimbledon is the Elsanta variety and more that 2 million berries and 1, 820 gallons of double cream are served each year.

Referring to players

Female players are referred to by the title "Miss" or "Mrs" on the scoreboards and by the chair umpires. The title Mr. is not used for male players on scoreboards, but the chair umpires refer to players as Mr. when they use the replay challenge.

Towels

The Women get two tone pink and blue towels, and the men have dark green purple and beige.

Colors and uniforms

Dark Green and purple are the traditional colors of Wimbledon.

Green clothing was worn by the chair umpire, linesmen, ball boys and ball girls until the 2005 Championships; however, beginning with the 2006 Championships, officials, ball boys and ball girls were outfitted in new navy blue and cream colored uniforms from American designer Ralph Lauren. This marked the first time in the history of the Championships that an outside company was used to design Wimbledon clothing. All photographer’s hate these outfits. You have no idea how many photographs have to be thrown away because of a distracting white trouser leg appearing between a players legs or from behind a player, making him look like he has three legs. Plus the fact the frankly a lot of these older women look dreadful in those cream pants or skirts. The navy jackets with white trim are also terroble. You constantly have horrible lines coming out from behind your player. We have all complained bitterly about these uniforms, and hopefully they will be changed when the contract is up in 2009.

Advertising

While every other tennis event in the world is a veritable bill board, Wimbledon had kept the tradition of no advertising. This provides very nice plain backgrounds that we all loved before the advent of the terrible Ralph Lauren official’s clothing.

So there you have it, some of the traditions of the most prestigious tennis event in the world. Let me know if I’ve missed any.

Wimbledon Village

“The Village” as it is called, is normally a small quiet place with attractive, upscale shops, bars and restaurants. It’s the kind of place you expect to see flowered curtains and lace linens. Chic country would best describe the atmosphere. It backs up to Wimbledon Common, where country gentleman, and women, gallop along the heath on horseback. The area has been inhabited since the Iron Age, with written records dating back to 1087, and the high street still has a medieval feeling.

However, during the Wimbledon fortnight, the atmosphere changes dramatically. The streets, bars and restaurants are crowded with fans, players, press and anyone remotely connected with the tennis. The shops windows are all decorated in the tennis theme, and signs inviting tennis people to imbibe front the public house.

If you walk up the hill from the All England Club to the Village, the first pub you see is The Dog and Fox. This place is always jammed to capacity, and on a nice summer evening you will be lucky to even find a small standing space on the patio. Around the corner is The Common Room, which is also quite popular. They have a big screen TV and a very loud DJ.

I usually start out at the Dog, and then move to my personal favorite, the Eclipse. This is a small bar down the block from the Dog and Fox with a cool atmosphere. The music is by DJ with a Latin drummer pounding out Brazilian rhythms. They used to be the only bar open after midnight so you had to get in early or there would be a huge line after the “Dog” closed.

This year, however, the law has apparently changed or the bars have gotten a new license, because the “Dog” is open to 1AM and the Eclipse to 3AM. Progress is coming to Wimbledon Village. Of course with this progress comes profit, there is now a 10 pound cover charge for the Eclipse, pretty stiff when you convert it to USD, but the atmosphere is good, the crowds are fun, and you will usually see Boris Becker in one of the plush upholstered booths. The thing to drink here is the Watermelon Martini. This is made by slicing fresh watermelon into a shaker with vodka and shaking hard until they are blended. Great, dangerous, but I don’t have to drive home so I can indulge.

I shoud add that we more than drink in the evening. A popular place for a light and not horribly expensive dinner is Pizza Express. If you want something more substantial, I love the Indian place on the corner across from the bank. A lot of players eat here so it's a good place for player watch. Piccolino on the hight street has a contemporary atmosphere with good Italian cooking, or for French try Cote, also on the High Street.

The big news at the Championships today is Andy Murray defeating Richard Gasquet in five sets. Down two sets to love I actually left the match because it was getting dark and it looked like Andy didn’t have a chance.

I had left the site to have something to eat with a friend in the village, walked past a restaurant with a TV and saw that it was 2 all in the fifth. No Way! I hurried back to the site hoping to make it for match point. The score was 5- 4 by the time I got back, and I knew I’d never make it on court in time, also it was really dark so I wasn’t going to get a good photo. I settled on going over to Henman Hill. The crowds were tremendous. The fans were jubilant. Andy won. Great day for the Brits, Murray has reached his first quarter final in a Grand Slam.

Sightings: Dinara Safin walking along the street in Southfields, talking on her mobile, wearing red and white sweats. Boris Becker at the Eclipse, Dimitri Tursunof at Pizza Express, Rajeev Ram and Bobby Reynolds at the Dog and Fox.

The Middle Sunday

How much do we love having the middle Sunday off? We are like children whose parents have promised them a trip to Disneyland. We look forward to it, we make plans, we treasure it. This is definitely one of the best traditions of Wimbledon. I’ve been here when rain during the first week forced play on the middle Sunday, and everyone was so depressed and disheartened.

Well, no worries this year. I’ve had a wonderful middle Sunday. I’ve wanted to go to Hampton Court Palace for many years and decided this was the day. Woke at a reasonable hour, got on the train, and started my adventure. It’s quite easy to get there from Southfields you take the underground to Wimbledon, then British Rail to Hampton Court. The whole trip takes about 25 minutes.

The train is clean, fast and comfortable. It passes through suburban neighborhoods, and I think to myself, how much you can tell about a family from their back yard. Some have some are neat, some cluttered with toys, some have beautiful flowers, some have vegetable gardens. It would be interesting sometime to do a story on back yards. I’m going to put that idea on my “to do” list.

I arrive at Hampton Court station, walk a short block and enter the Palace gates. I’m immediately impressed. The Palace is huge, the grounds beautiful it’s almost overwhelming.

Several different tours are offered, but I choose to wander about on my own. I start in the Tudor Kitchens, these rooms were a central part of palace life. They were not used for the preparation of food for King himself, but to feed the 600 to 800 people twice a day who served at the Court of Henry VIII. They consist of several huge rooms, one for meat, one for pastries, etc., one smaller room had a soup kettle that nearly filled the whole space. Amazing, and they did this without the help of Cuisinart appliances.

Next I tour the Kings apartments. You are not allowed to take photos inside the Palace, but I sneak a snap of the view over the gardens from his private bedchamber. Everything of course is on a grand scale. Huge intricate tapestries cover the walls, I stop to listen to a tour guide who explains that up to six weavers would be working on one tapestry at a time, and they would work from the back. How could they do that? They would have to create the whole scene backwards so it would read correctly when turned over. Very clever.

They didn’t really have corridors in the fifteen hundreds, so one room led to another. The apartments were arranged so that you began in the most public rooms and ended in the closet. This was the smallest and most private room where the King or Queen would not only dress, but write letters, and receive intimate friends.

As I walked though these Tudor rooms, rich with polished wood, crimson silk walls, I can feel and imagine the presence of the Royals who once occupied them. I run my hand along a door frame and wonder who else has left their fingerprints. I walk along the wooden plank floors and wonder if I am treading on the same wood as Anne Boleyn.

I look into the faces of people in the gold framed portraits, and think, what were their lives like? What were they thinking while they were sitting for these paintings? I look at the detail in the clothing, the delicate jeweled hair pins, the elaborate necklaces. I look into their eyes, hoping they will reveal something about the person.

I leave the apartments and walk along the gravel paths of the garden to the Royal Tennis Court. This is what they call a “real” tennis court, rather than a lawn tennis court, and is still home to an active real tennis club. The court is narrow with high walls. There is a game being played, and from what I can tell it is kind of a combination racquet ball and tennis as we know it. They serve the ball against the side wall over the net, then the point is played out in similar fashion to lawn tennis. King Henry VIII was passionately addicted to this sport, and legend has it that he heard of the execution of Queen Anne Boleyn as he played on this court.

Next I try my luck at finding my way though the famous Maze. Hmmmm thought I was very smart about directions, but much as I hate to admit it, I did get lost. I finally managed to find my way out, but only after several stops, turns, and dead ends. I wander through the rose, private and formal gardens, each different, all in bloom. There are over 60 acres of gorgeous landscaping here, so be sure to wear your walking shoes.

It’s 6PM and they are closing, I had planned to spend only a couple of hours here, but there is so much to see you could easily spend a whole day.

All this sightseeing has made me very hungry so I stop at a riverside restaurant for a bite of dinner and a glass of wine, a perfect way to end my tour of Hampton Court Palace.