Day 3 Wimbledon Championships
This is an ultra exciting day for us, our first Wimbledon Championships!
None of us play tennis but we are definitely fans of the sports. Each year we will fly back into Melbourne slightly ahead of time to be at the Australian Open and usually when the tournament progressed into the final rounds. Today shall be our second Grand Prix, the Wimbledon Championships, creme de la creme of the circuit, one of the most presitigous tournament in the tennis world and we couldn't be more excited.
This afternoon we hope to watch the semi final match between Rafael Nadal up against Andy Murray. A big turnout is expected for this match for it was a while since a British won the Championships. We do not hold any tickets so we needed to start early.
But before we could get to Wimbledon, this morning we are to check out to a hotel at Gloucester St, near Kensington and Knightsbridge. With four luggages, one hand carried bag and two backpacks, I was skeptic if those London cab which I've yearn to ride since our arrival could take us and the stuff but amazingly we fit in nicely. So yes, we've now done the London cab.
It was only mid morning when we checked-in to our new hotel and as anticipated, our rooms will not be ready till about 2pm, however leaving our luggages with the concierge while we are away was not a problem. We also found out that the train station is just 50 meter away from the hotel and takes us direct to Wimbledon. Now that our accommodation and travelling plan were all sorted and organised, we decided for a quick coffee at Paul, a french patisserie.
Wimbledon Village |
Bus Ride |
We knew it was near impossible to get to centre court and when were told only general admission tickets were available, we were more than happy to purchased them. We have travelled this far, we wouldn't want to miss this opportunity.
So here we are, we made it to Wimbledon Championships...
Inside almost everything looks green from the buildings, the fixtures to signages and pertunias of white and purple, were everywhere in hanging basket, on flower beds, sidewalks, on the walls ... everywhere.
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We wandered the ground for a moment, and take note of the refreshment tent, souvenir shop and the rest rooms.
At this stage of tournament, most matches are now in held indoors, hence not many activities were happpening on the open courts.
It was not in about two hours before Nadal and Murray match started but our instinct told us to take our position at the big screen on the Henman hill before the crowd start to build up.
Big Screen on Heinman Hill |
The ground area directly in front of the big screen were crowded and we could not find any space to sit. Shasha and I decided to secure our spots on the side ground next to the staircase. The view was not terrific but with more people coming our way, it was the best spot we could find. Tim and Adam on the other hand had some other ideas...
It was almost 2pm and the match everyone came for was about to start. On the big screen both Nadal and Murray were seen ready to enter the centre court. In the crowd, royalties, celebrities and sports personalities were spotted. David Beckham came with his son to rally on Murray, the next place to be after England was eliminated from the world cup... and the crown prince of Spain for Nadal before he's off to South Africa, the next best place for any Spainard to be, obviously...
Nadal on way to centre court |
David Beckham |
The sun is now in our eyes and the heat is pricking our skin. I thank god I happened to have a folding fan in my bag to at least keep me cool but how I wish I had bought a sun screen.
The match finally got underway and the crowd grew triple fold. An hour into the tournament, Nadal was ahead and the mood around us were rather sombre and not until when Murray clinched the third set, the spirit were uplifting again.
Unlike at the Australian Open where the crowds are more enthusiastic with their cheering, Wimbledon lots are pretty subdued. Since Shasha and I were rooting for Nadal (now that Federer is out of contention) we too feel compel to be polite and modest with our cheering.
When the fourth sets resumed, it was without doubt Nadal will be victorious. Murray with the nation hope on him to recapture the title may perhaps was under an immense pressure and Nadal was not an easy prey either. Nadal won the match and went on to win the Wimbledon Men Single title...yeah, yeah!
It was almost 7pm when the match ended and the weather was much cooler. None of us wanted to stay for the remaining matches and decided to leave. Enduring a day under the hot sun was exhausting but I was convinced a slow walk to the train station would be good after the all the seatings on the ground.
On the platform the crowd were buiding by the minute, mostly from the tennis and it was getting dark before a train finally arrived 30 minutes later. Just 10 minutes into our journey, our train came to a total stop and we were informed that a major rerouting of destinations were underway due to a breakdown in the northern London line after a fire broke up. There were more stops and more announcements along the way, and after much confusion we finally got off two stations away from our destination and dragged ourselves a couple of miles back to the hotel.
What a way to end the day, it was a very tiring, it was chaotic with the train incident... but somehow it was also a very fulfilling day for us. Getting to the Wimbledon Championships was a long time ambition and being able to realised that ambition was truly gratifying. We hope one day we will have the opportunity to come back again... perhaps after we had the chance to tick the boxes of the French and the US Open too.
Unlike at the Australian Open where the crowds are more enthusiastic with their cheering, Wimbledon lots are pretty subdued. Since Shasha and I were rooting for Nadal (now that Federer is out of contention) we too feel compel to be polite and modest with our cheering.
Nadal in interview after match |
When the fourth sets resumed, it was without doubt Nadal will be victorious. Murray with the nation hope on him to recapture the title may perhaps was under an immense pressure and Nadal was not an easy prey either. Nadal won the match and went on to win the Wimbledon Men Single title...yeah, yeah!
It was almost 7pm when the match ended and the weather was much cooler. None of us wanted to stay for the remaining matches and decided to leave. Enduring a day under the hot sun was exhausting but I was convinced a slow walk to the train station would be good after the all the seatings on the ground.
On the platform the crowd were buiding by the minute, mostly from the tennis and it was getting dark before a train finally arrived 30 minutes later. Just 10 minutes into our journey, our train came to a total stop and we were informed that a major rerouting of destinations were underway due to a breakdown in the northern London line after a fire broke up. There were more stops and more announcements along the way, and after much confusion we finally got off two stations away from our destination and dragged ourselves a couple of miles back to the hotel.
What a way to end the day, it was a very tiring, it was chaotic with the train incident... but somehow it was also a very fulfilling day for us. Getting to the Wimbledon Championships was a long time ambition and being able to realised that ambition was truly gratifying. We hope one day we will have the opportunity to come back again... perhaps after we had the chance to tick the boxes of the French and the US Open too.