A Rainy Day in Paris

9:00 AM

There is a light but steady rain falling, however, since the final doesn’t start until 3PM today, I’m not going to let a little rain ruin my free morning.

Breakfast is a delicious quiche that I bought from the patisserie around the corner and a café au lait, and then I don my raincoat, up my umbrella and set off for the galleries in St. Germain des Prix.

On a nice day these small streets would be crowded with shoppers and tourists, but today, I have the sidewalk to myself. Only a few diners brave the rain at sidewalk cafés.

I love this photo of the child running in the rain, and the Grandma or trying to catch up!

Photography and Paris are synonymous, great names in the genre, Cartier-Bresson, Doisneau, Atget, Man Ray, to name a few, all made Paris their home and subject.

My first stop is Hypnos on rue de l’Universite. This small gallery is dedicated to 19^th century photographers, and is always interesting.

Next I move on to Lumas. There are so many beautiful photos here! I find my self pausing often, saying to myself, “I love that”. I’m particularly drawn to these contemporary impressionistic images.

2:00 PM

I’ve finally made it to the site, and the rain has stopped. It’s cold, dark and damp, but we are all praying that the sky’s hold long enough to get the women’s final finished.

3:00 PM

The women are coming on court; the scene is set, and the match about to begin. Photographers in my vicinity were all betting on Safina. See How smart they are.. The match, frankly, leaves a lot to be desired. I get bored and start to play around with my camera. I’m inspired after seeing all those great photos this morning and decide to experiment with some slow shutter speed images. I used to do this a lot, and sort of stopped because I could never sell them, but there is more to photography then taking photos that you think will sell. So here goes.. What do you think .. I think they are pretty cool, I’m going to do this more often.

5:30 PM

Well, that was short but not so sweet. I’m wondering if Dinara suffers from the same disease as her brother .. Meltdown during big matches.

This French Open final is definitely not going down as a thriller. Even the match point was a yawn. but photo opportunities were rare.

All the photographers were juggling to be in the right place for the celebration photo at match point but the new champion, spread her arms, crossed herself and went to the net for the handshake. Of course she did win on a double fault from Safina, so it would be a little classless to jump up and down and cheer.

7:00 PM

The sun has finally shown its self .. Weak, but better than dark sky’s. The mens doubles final is on, but since the American’s or Brazilians aren’t in I’m not going to do any photos.

Paes and Dlouhy just won, so that’s the end of the tennis and this blog for today.

The Press Party

Last night was the greatly anticipated annual press party. After eleven days of working twelve hour days everyone is ready for a little recreation. This years theme was wine tasting, very appropriate considering where we are. Someone said there were forty vintners pouring wine, but I’ve not been able to confirm that number, let’s just say there were a lot .. And there were those in attendance who made serious attempts to try all of them.

A live band played old jazz classics, and later added some danceable beats.

There were delicious small plates of a variety of French dishes. My favorite was the lobster soufflé. I tried to get a photo, but there were always so many people crowded around that table you could barely get near it, and I haven’t yet mastered the act of balancing, food, drink and camera while standing in high spike heels…yes, I did dress up for this party ..Without making a disaster of one of the three. Suffice it to say, a good time was had by all.

12:00 PM

Bonjour, Buongiorno, Buenos Dias, Good Morning! This is what I hear when I arrive at the press center each morning. The internationality of the tennis tour is, for me, one of its most appealing aspects. People from around the world traveling, working, socializing and getting to know one another enriches your life in many ways.

To my left, I have a very humorous Italian writer, to my right a Chinese girl photographer who lives in Melbourne Australia. She’s become a new friend, and we will keep in touch and see each other when I go to Melbourne next year. Next to her, a reporter from Brazil. I’m currently working out of the international writer’s room. People from all nations labor, trade gossip, and argue about tennis. We’re a band of vagabonds, who love to travel and experience the world.

1:00 PM

First up, Soderling and Gonzalez. This could be interesting. Soderling is on a roll, but Gonzo has the big forehand and loves to play in the dirt. Soderling’s best results have been indoors on either hard court or carpet.

Celebs in attendance, the still handsome Bjorn Borg, and Desperate Housewife Eva Longoria with husband, NBA star, Tony Parker.

4:45 PM

Soderling wins .. drops to his knees, stands, grins at Borg, and goes to the net for the handshake.

Three and a half hours .. That’s what it took for the Swede to defeat Gonzo and get into his first grand slam final. Next up Federer and Del Potro..

8:15 PM

OH MY WORD… this is getting painful. 8:15 and its 4-3 Federer in the fifth. Two marathon matches in one day. How many times and how many ways can you shoot forehands, backhands, serves .. And very occasionally, volleys. It’s getting dark, and I’ve given up the camera for my laptop.

Reporters in the press room are moaning groaning and cheering with each point. I’m not sure if it is for great tennis or if they just want this over.

8:34PM

Okay, Federer is serving for the match at 5-4. YES it’s over ..Three hours and 29 minutes .. Roger is through to the final!

Everyone is typing madly, shouts of .. Three twenty eight or three twenty nine Anybody know..ring out. I’m going with three twenty nine .. That’s what it said on the scoreboard, and I’m assuming its right.

So that's it for today. I need to get this up and make the 10PM shuttle.

Speaking of Fashion

I start my day by crossing the Pont Alexandre III to the right bank. This is the most beautiful bridge in Paris. Built at the end of the 19^th century for the Universal Exposition of 1900 it is decorated with lampposts and sculptures of cherubs and nymphs, while large gilded statues guard each end. The bridge, was built to symbolize the friendship Russia and France, and was therefore named for Tsar Alexander III.

Once on the right bank I stroll along Avenue Montaigne. The Avenue is lined with tall shade trees, and very expensive designer shops... shops? Is that the right word? You can hardly call these shops, but you know what I mean. These fashion houses are guarded by intimidating doormen in impeccable black suits. Heaven forbid the “wrong” person crosses the portals of these havens of wealth…and attitude.

I notice that Dolce Gabbana and Jimmy Choo are both featuring leopard prints… is this going to be the hot look for fall?

Does your toddler need something chic for school? Of course they must have an outfit from Dior.

Need something casual? Well there are designer jeans that I’ll bet you need Sharapova’s bank account to afford.

1:00 PM

The tournament is giving white roses to all the ladies entering Roland Garros today in honor of the women’s semi final. Very nice. I have to find something to put it in so it will stay alive.

2:00 PM

Here we go, Safina and Cibulkova, I’m thinking Safina is going to win in two.

3:30 PM

Well, I was right on that one.. now lets see if we are going to have an all Russian women’s final... I’m thinking that Kuznetsova is stronger than Stosur... but then I did get a look at Stosur’s bicep, and I wouldn’t want to arm wrestle her.

6:00PM

With Kuznetsova up 1 set, Stosur took the second set in a beaker... they’re going three... c’mon girls, I still have to do the mixed doubles final and I want to get out of here at a decent hour and go to the press dinner tonight.

6:45 PM

Two matches down and one to go. Kuznetsova won it 6-3 in the third .. Couldn’t she have done this it two sets? So it will be Kuznetsova and Safina in the final.. Couldn’t we ever have someone like the Chinese player Li Na? I’m getting tired of typing long Russian names.. Well, Safina isn’t too bad .. But some of the others are not only a pain to type, they are totally unpronounceable.

8:55PM

Well, I’m a little angry with Bob Bryan and Leizel Huber for taking their final to a tiebreak, but they closed out King and Melo and are the 2009 French Open mixed champions.

The dinner starts in 5 minutes, and I still have a ton of work to finish so this is it for the blog for tonight.

The World Champions Dinner

The scene is the beautiful Pavillon d”Armenonville in the Bois de Boulogne. Tall windows overlook flowering gardens, swans paddle among lotus blossoms on a small lake, there couldn’t be a more idyllic setting.

For the 31st year, a glittering crowd of the who’s who in tennis gathers at this annual gala given by the ITF, honoring the champions of the past year. No clay covered shoes or sox at this party. Guests and honoree’s don their best... men in dark suits and tie’s, some of them black, and designer dresses for the girls. Even the photographers show up in their Sunday best for this do. I wore one of my favorites, a Chinese style dress I had made in Shanghai
The evening starts with Moet & Chandon champagne, appetizers and socializing. The theme of the evening is the rose, tiny hors d’oeuvres are topped with rose petals A jazz trio provides background music.

Most of the photographers stand in the front and snap photos of the arriving guests, but the paparazzi style if not for me. I prefer to mingle, sip champagne, and oh yes…do a few photos too. I spot Virgina Wade, she smiles and I snap a quick pic. And there's Isobel Gemmel from the ITF showing off her new, stylish French designer necklace.

At 8:45 everyone moves to the dining room for dinner and the awards presentation. The tables are spectacular, set with white triangular serving plates, red glassware, small red candles and red and white roses.

Andrew Castle is the master of ceremonies, he opens the evening with a few comments, and there is a welcome speech by Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of the International Tennis Federation, before the first course.

Wow, the waiters are arriving with glass bowls containing Sea Bass Carpaccio, with a Spring Ginger Sauce, and Sushi Rice, set in smoking dry ice. Very cool. and yes that can be read two ways, and both of them are correct!

Between the first and main courses, the 2008 World Champions receive trophies. There are awards for Men’s and Women’s singles, Rafael Nadal and Jelena Jankovic, men’s and women’s doubles, Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic, and Cara Black and Liezel Huber, the girls and boys juniors, Noppawan Lercheewakarn ..no, I have no idea how to pronounce this .. but this is the girl from Thailand, and the boy Tsung-Hua Yang from Taipai, The wheelchair champions are Shingo Kunieda, and Esther Vergeer.

Okay, awards, speeches and photos done, it’s time for the main course. The lights are dimmed and waiters arrive bearing lighted domes covering the main course of skewered ”Roasted Veal Fillet with a Dauphinois Potato Stack” ..that description is taken straight from the menu. If the first course was spectacular .. this was amazing. The French really know how to serve food.

I also have to comment about the wine. A wonderful white with the first course, and perfect Bordeaux with the main.

Now this is fine dining.

After the second course, more awards, Peachy Kellmayer for the Golden Achievement Award, and Martina Navratilova for the Philippe Chatrier Award. Past winners of this prestigious award include, tennis royalty, Rod Laver, Jack Kramer, Billie Jean King, and Chris Evert to name a few.

Martina is serious, gracious, and humorous in her acceptance speech. She has a list of a few things that she thinks would improve the game of tennis.

One thing that got a round of applause was the stopping of all the grunting and screaming, another was a limit on the number of times a player can bounce the ball before serving. There were also more serious concerns, such as more consistency in the balls used, and the hardness of the hard courts.

It’s finally time for desert, and after the last two presentations everyone is wondering what they can do with the desert that will surprise and delight us.

Well, let me tell you, we were not disappointed. Again straight from the menu, “Hibiscus Poached Peach, Candy Floss and Vanilla Cream” Beautiful, and delicious like the rest of the meal. Add to that, Coffee, Chocolate, and Macaroons, and we are all ready for the cars that will come at midnight to deliver us to our hotels.

Thank you ITF for a very special evening.

The Musee Rodin

1:30 PM

I have had the best morning ever! Since matches don’t start on Phiippe Chatrier until 2PM today, I decided to go to one of my favorite museums in the world. The Musee Rodin is just one block from my apartment, and I’ve been waiting for a free morning to visit ever since I arrived in Paris. This is on my “must do” list each time I am here.

Housed in the magnificent mansion known as the Biron Hotel, The mansion was built in the early seventeenth century by a hairdresser named Abraham Peyrenc. At this time the Left Bank of Paris was still unpopulated. The very successful and rich hairdresser decided that he wanted to build the most beautiful house ever seen in Paris.
After the death of Peyrenc, the house eventually became the property of Duke and Duchess of Biron and it still bears their name.

In 1905 plans were made to demolish the house to build rental apartments, but in the meantime it was divided into several small apartments. Attracted by the beautiful gardens, several artists, including Henri Matisse, and August Rodin rented rooms where they worked and entertained friends.

Rodin proposed to the French Government the idea of converting the house a museum of his work. To accomplish this, he donated all of his pieces of art, correspondence and property to the state. The museum opened in 1919.
The sculptures, the mansion, the gardens... beauty so astounding it stops your heart. I want to breath in the in the atmosphere, keep in a place inside me. I want to be able to draw on it when I need to renew my creative energy.

I wander through the rooms, gazing the work of Rodin, I wonder at his ability to make the bronze, marble, plaster, come to life.

The gardens are among, most beautiful I have seen magnificent sculptures among the roses. Perhaps his most famous work the “Thinker” holds a special place. I love this photo of the grounds with the gilded dome of Les Invalides in the background. I could stay there all day, but work calls, so I leave refreshed, and head for the 10 train.

2:00 PM
Recap from yesterday. Roddick lost in three to Monfils, down two sets to love Roger pulled out a five set win over Tommy Haas .. Haas was serving at 4 all in the third, up 40-15 and eventually lost that set.. then lost all his momentum for the rest of the match.. I guess that is what separates the top guys from everyone else. Robredo defeated Kohlschreiber in four, and Del Potro took out French favorite, Tsonga in four. On the women’s side, Stosur, Serena, and Kuznetsova all made it into the quarters.

2:15 PM
Heading over to court 1 for Lopez/ Robredo against the Bryans .. This should be a good match, and I love to shoot on court 1. This used to be the second show court before Suzanne Lenglen was built. The stadium is round and affords great views from every angle.3:45PM
Uh Oh .. the Bryan's have split with the Spanish team. I'd love to stay, but I need to get back to my apartment, and get ready for the Champions dinner at 7:30 PM. so I'm going to have to hope for the best and close this blog for today.

A Walk in the Bois de Boulogne

Stade Roland Garros is located in the beautiful Bois de Boulonge. This a huge 846 hectare park on the western edge of Paris. Each morning when I leave the metro, I take a different path through the park to the site. I love this tree shaded walk, with lovely gardens, and wonderful smelling roses. A perfect way to start a busy workday.

The gardens have a long history in Paris. Originally known as the “Boulogne Woods” at different times in history, they have been the home to a number of monasteries, a royal hunting reserve, and a haunt of robbers and highwaymen.

In 1852 Napoleon III, nephew of the French hero, Napoleon, made the grounds into a park. In the years following, it was transformed with lawns, woodlands, streams, and two lakes. Today it provides leisure activities for Parisians as well as visitors. Two and a half times the size of New York’s Central Park, you can go rowing on the lake, ride horses on one of the many trails, attend a horserace at Longchampm or Auteuil Racecourses.

In the Jardin (garden) Shakespeare you can enjoy an open air play by the bard. The plays are preformed in French and English. This area is called the Shakespeare Garden and Theatre because of the five miniature gardens, each named after a play by the famous playwright. I’m going to try to get out of here early enough to do this one night. This would be something special, something that I really want to do.

There are of course several restaurants, and snack bars. In fact, the Champions dinner tomorrow night will be held in one of the most elegant diining rooms in the park.

7:00 PM

And the Fashion Award goes to … Jelena Jankovic. The fifth seed lost her match to unseeded Sorana Cirstea, but won the fashion award with her cute blue tennis dress. And how about those accessories? Blue trim on her shoes, blue nail polish, blue pony tail elastic, blue bobby pins, and blue mascara!

Nice back detail with her “JJ” monogram. Good work Elena. You won the fashion award in Miami with your cute yellow outfit and have done it again here in Paris.

Meanwhile who is Sorana Cirstea? She was born in Bucharest, Romania April 7 1990 her current 52 week ranking is 41. This is her second appearance in the French Open. She lost in the second round in 2008. She has a career win loss record of 38/35. Could this be the start of something big for the Bucharest beauty?

Sunday in Paris

I love Sundays in Paris. Church bells are chiming all over the city; the small streets near my apartment are quiet and free of traffic. I start my day walking toward the Seine. I love to browse the used book stalls on the sidewalk along the river.

“Les bouquinistes” along the quais have been a tradition in Paris for centuries.

If you are a connoisseur of rare books, and you have time and patience, you may find a treasure. As far back as the French revolution there were dealers who salvaged books from raids on aristocrats’ libraries.

Some of the well established bouquinestes’ specialize in unique collections, such as rare Jules Vernes, old art volumes, graphic novels, or old comics.

In the beginning these dealers would arrive in the morning with boxes of books which they would take back home at the end of the day, but at the start of the 20th century, green painted “boxes” were allowed to be permanently installed so the sellers could leave their books overnight.

This trade is strictly regulated; each seller is allowed four of the dark green painted boxes, three of which must contain books. The fourth can sell items such as prints, collectors’ postcards, and souvenirs.

There are about 200 sellers stretching along both banks of the river, so you can easily spend hours here. Unfortunately, I don’t have hours… of course this may be a good thing, as I really don’t want to be carrying books home.

Most of the books are in French, but with art books it doesn’t matter, and I’m sorely tempted by an old book with beautiful
Toulouse – Lautrec prints, but it’s big and thick and heavy … do I really want to add this to my luggage? I gave it a pass, but I’m still thinking about it, and may go back.

Another stall has old photographs. I love to look at these faces from the past. I try to imagine what kind of lives they lived. I’m like a detective, looking for clues in their clothing, staring into the faces, looking at their hands for signs of work, wedding rings, anything that might tell me something about them. These were real people, not just faces on a piece of paper. Real people with hopes and dreams just like you and I. I wonder why and how there photos ended up in a bookseller stall. Why hasn’t their family kept these images of loved ones, of their ancestors? This is what I love about photography…the magic... stopping time, recording memories, people, moments.



11:30 AM
Ok... enough fun, time to get to work. I stop at a small café for a quick croissant au chocolat and caffe au lait, then on to the 10 train and out to the site.

3:30 PM
Nadal has dropped the first set 6-2 to Soderling, but is up 4-3, so I’ll keep my eye on that one and see how it goes. Murray has defeated Cilic in the fourth round .. Good work Andy!!

4:15 PM
Uh Oh, its 6 all in the second set, Nadal/Soderling , and the Swede took the first ..what’s going on here? Why does everything happen at once? I need to go shoot Azarenka and Ivanovic, but if Nadal is loosing I need that too… you see it’s not easy being a photographer. The writers can just watch it on TV then go get the quotes, but I have to actually be there.. Ok .. Rafa just won the breaker 7-2, so I know that its going four. I’ll have time to at least shoot one set of the girls. Anyway, I think Rafa will win now, so I’ll get him again in the quarters.

6:10 PM
Well, I guess I spoke too soon. I’m on the Azarenka Ivanovic match, Az is up 4-1 in the second, I look up at the scoreboard and see to my horror .. Soderling has won the third set .. he is up two sets to love against Rafa. I grab my gear and head to Court Philippe Chatrier. The photo pit is packed .. the photographers are smelling blood. Fortunately, I’m small and manage a seat in the first row in the corner. Soderling is serving up aces, and Rafa can’t break. The tension is almost unbearable. The fans are chanting RAFA, RAFA but still applauding for the Swede, appreciating the great tennis he is playing. I’m sure this is the best match of his career. Rafa is fighting, but Soderling is coming up with an answer to everything Nadal is throwing at him. It’s dark and a little windy, and it feels like rain is emanate. I’m sure that Rafa is praying for a downpour right now, while Soderling is trying hard to end it.

Tiebreak in the fourth .. everyone is on the edge of their seat .. is it possible the four time champion here could go out to the 23rd seed in the fourth round? Impossible. For sure he will pull it out. Soderling is up 6-1 in the breaker!! Can the Clay Court Champion win 7 points in a row? Well, I guess the answer is no. Soderling wins the breaker 7-2. Does he have something against the Spanish, first 14th seed Ferrer in the third round and now Rafa in the fourth. No one can believe it. In typical reserved Swedish style, he throws his arms in the air, but does not give a big match point photo op.

Rafa wave’s goodbye to the fans, and it’s over. Is it the short hair.. Is Nadal having a Samson moment? Does he need his long locks back?

I'm editing my photos .. he looks so sad, but it's probably my favorite photo of the tournament so far.

Just saw the score on Azarenka , Ivanovic ..Unbelievable .. both the men’s and the women’s’ defending champions out in one day.

8:45
Took a break to enjoy a very nice wine and cheese party in the press dining room, but now have at least 500 images to edit and post, so I’m ending this blog for today.