As I sit here at the end of another day I feel as if people may think I am putting this enthusiasm on from the trip! As I have yet more positive news from the day! But I can assure you the trip has been brilliant and each and every day brings a new challenge, a new experience and I feel very fortunate to be in a position to lap it all up…
Today was GAME DAY! Early brekkie with the boys then down to the courts- Grand Slams are brilliant, as you have ‘professionalism on your door step’…what do I mean by that? You have physios on tap, sun cream, water, towels, good changing rooms, new balls for practice, most of the guys get new clothes from sponsors including sweat bands, players re grip rackets. This is all great, but one gripe with some of the guys is, why they don’t do this for every tournament? As they obviously do it for the slams, they feel it helps them play their best tennis! Their preparation today was spot on, from breakfast to physio for rub or tape, the timings of eating their food, their liquid intake. The way they dressed, equipment checks blah, blah, blah. But hey, this translates into good tennis on the court and I will be driving these areas with all of our players as it ‘makes a difference’.
Anyway, off that extremely high horse and back to the tennis. First up for the Brits were Kyle Edmund and Luke Bambridge – 2 wins in what was by now 32 degrees (and felt like 40) on court! Liam was next up – playing a straggly looking Italian who generates power from who knows where, but he does and did with great venom and success giving Liam a real tough 1st set. 5-5 break point down and Liam produces the magic that makes him the player he is and he does not look back. Off he comes 7-5 6-3 for a couple interviews and a massage – living the life! It is now 35 degrees and feels 45 degrees on court. Good idea with the black top Dan – fruit of the loom thick cotton at that!
Josh is next up on court number 7 as it approaches 40 degrees, 50…You get the drift.
A great performance by Josh with no major worries and a 6/1 6/2 victory over Australian wildcard Matthew Tanza. All 4 Brits through. Vamos!
The boys have earned a day off singles tomorrow, but are up 4th match for doubles against a pair from Israel.
I spent time watching Djokovic and Fededer practice at close quarters and in the space of 2 minutes saw them both then Nadal/Sharapova/Ferrer/Ivanovic walk past and then Goran Ivanisevic…Maybe this star-spotting will get old, but it hasn’t yet. Videos to follow so look out on our facebook and twitter pages!
Not long been in from dinner- what a lovely city Melbourne is.. Vicki we are coming back here with the kids!
Excited for what tomorrow will bring…
Play to Win!
Dan Kiernan
Director, SotoTennis Academy
Inspiring Excellence | Tennis Academy Spain