Once a year, tennis gurus from around the world congregate in Melbourne for one of the four Grand Slam tournaments: The Australian Open. Yesterday we cashed in our cheapo tickets and took a walk around Melbourne Park to see some of the elimination matches going on. It was fun and we're glad we went, but we didn't really get to see anything spectacular. Those tickets are far more expensive, apparently. [Above: panoramic of some of the outdoor courts, Below: Kane ponders some tennis players]
The people wandering around the Open are actually just as interesting as the matches going on - some of the Aussies get really into it. Australian flag capes are pretty much a normal sighting, but some people go as far as body painting, Australian flag tube tops and dresses, temporary tattoos, and, of course, a healthy combination of the all of these. Then there are the people who, for some reason, dress in tennis attire like it's a costume party. There are the 80's looking tennis player guys holding old fashioned wooden rackets and wearing headbands, and an assortment of other "tennis player" people who are apparently way too excited about the event and don't really know how to show it. Then there are the crazies who just need to be weirdos wherever they go. These people are in their undies or cross dressing or in sparkly wigs, etc, etc. I suppose this madness happens to some degree at any public outing, but I'm always amazed at the contrast to the happenings of my living room, like a caveman at Woodstock.
We actually only stayed for a short while since we didn't really arrive at a good time (there were only doubles going on when we got there and then there was large break). But we did get to see a couple matches, and we agreed that we will be open to spending more money than we would like to on tickets to a future match, if the opportunity arises (deep breath). Additional note: this event would be more fun if you had a group of people with which to pass the time between matches. Dressing up would probably also add to the hype. I will have to dig out my sparkly wig.
1 comment:
Ahhh, tennis.....the one sport I like to watch. Sounds like a real hoot! Yeah, next time wear your sparkly wig - you'll fit right in. That's pretty cool, though. I've never seen a real professional tennis match in person. But, they look pretty awesome on TV.
The stuperbowl is on this weekend ~yawn~. I won't be watching that. "Caveman at woodstock" - that's funny! Bye for now, lazergrrrl. Stay safe. I love you!
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