by Kat
Flying straight from my Burnet family reunion to Wimbledon proved to be
a transition from being with family I'd known all my life to a 'family'
I was meeting for the first time. But oddly enough, I felt just as
close with both. There's just something about freezing our asses off
sleeping on the streets for five nights together that will form a tight
bond among a group.
There were the countless 'bloody marvelous's and singings of 'Heart and
Soul' (Lord, please forgive me for Caz and I ever playing that on the
piano), Mel's lovely guitar playing in the queue to pass the time, the
all important survival bag distress signal. Stacey's painted hair and
face and tainted Coke, meeting charming people like Paula and Elena, and
oh yeah, there was some tennis too. Following are just a handful of the
memorable moments...
Monday: Following my fainting episode, seeing eventual champion Venus,
watching ten seats to the left of Richard still don't know how she stays
in that dress. And eventually Stacey and I's first look at Centre Court
as we resourcefully got tickets from people leaving in order to see
Conchita.
Tuesday: My first glimpse at Arantxa and my first first-hand experience
at her ever so close, nail biting wins (she's gonna give me an ulcer one
of these days). My frantic effort to get Caz's and my book from my
backpack and chasing after her despite four security men blocking my
ultimately successful attempt. A few words with Arantxa and a kiss on
either cheek being my reward. Then seeing Magui's first round win,
being (and I do mean literally) the only people at the court cheering
for her, Arantxa sitting in the first row encouraging her fellow
Spaniard. Autographs and pictures at the practice courts to follow.
Later at Caz's house, a frantic attempt to gather motivational articles
for Arantxa, at the request of Giselle.
Wednesday: Arantxa and Amelie playing dubs (after most of us slept
through some if not all of the Huber match), painfully against Magui,
leaving Caz unsure of who to cheer for (good reason and Arantxa
eventually won out). Beatriz coming mid-match to announce with disgust
'Conchita fucking lost'. Magui's ever genuine smile as we cheered for
her after her loss. Amelie's embarrassed look to Arantxa as we 'bowed
down' to her after their win.
Thursday: Arantxa's comfortable win over Grande, following an
entertaining Guga/Bowers match. An interview with a reporter, amazed at
our story, and joined (albeit very briefly) by Arantxa herself. A
charming practice session where Arantxa and Emilio both took aim at each
other's head and Emilio looked as tasty as ever in Arantxa's hair clips
and Stacey's Spanish glasses; a picture with Arantxa and autograph
afterwards. Then Stacey catching Dokic's dad's fit on tape. And
perhaps most notably (bowing down ordered to commence), Magui's win over
Pierce, IMO the upset of the entire tournament - Pierce's look of disgust
all too obviously sent in our direction, Magui's expression of triumph
at the end, and as we later discovered, Magui Mania (formerly Serna
Mania) was born. Hell, we even made it on TV here in the US which is a
major acomplishment.
Friday: Following an all too comfortable sleep in a bed, seeing Arantxa
practice (though made very difficult by the fact Henman was on the
adjacent court). Then Arantxa meeting Magui as she left the courts,
giving her a congratulatory hug accompanied by one of the biggest grins.
Paula nearly strangling a poor girl with the camera cord while trying to
take a picture for her from atop her perch on the bench arm rest.
Watching Martin blow the match against Agassi on the big screen. My
temporary brain freeze going to the wrong luggage storage place, making
for an admittedly irritating evening for all.
Saturday: Watching a Rosset/Haas five set match I thought would never
end. Then finally seeing Arantxa take court only to play like shit for
the first set and a half. Was almost made worth it to get to see her
courageously fight back, getting red hands from clapping so hard and a
sore jaw from clinching my teeth. The relieved/joyous look on her face
in her moment of victory before going to hug her mom. The sweaty wrist
band she gave me that managed to soak everything else in my pants
pocket. Sitting through the Fusai/Tauziat match, with Caz nobly
cheering for Frazier/what's her name so it would end sooner, only for
the idiot's to change the court Arantxa and Amelie were playing doubles
on without so much as a courteous announcement. Racing to court 9 to
catch a set and a half of action before play was called to a halt due to
darkness. The idiot vendors closing, refusing to take our money before
we'd had a chance to spend it.
Sunday: Sad goodbyes and my long plane ride home (let the weeklong
jetlag begin).
In short, it was an incredibly fabulous week, and one I'll never
forget. I'll always be able to look back on it with a grin on my face
and a warmth in my heart. I'm forever grateful to everyone who was
there to share it with me, thereby making it possible and all the more
memorable.
