Amazing World Tour Finals experience

Since becoming a fan of Nole in 2009/2010, one of my biggest wishes was to watch him play tennis live.  So, in 2013 I just decided that I’m going to do it, no matter what.  First I wanted to go to Rome and watch him there, but things didn't work out, so me and a twitter friend decided to go and watch the WTF’s in London, because one of the other wishes was also to see Nole on a Hard-court.  

I also realized that there is a big probability that Serbia will play in the Davis Cup Final and I decided that I will go to the finals, whether it is in Argentina or Serbia.  If the Czech Republic beat Argentina in the SF it would be in Serbia and a flight from London to Serbia, is just hours away, so way not? (I obviously rooted for the Czech team in the SF :)).

And so, on November 2 my non-forgettable journey to my first live tennis matches and Davis Cup (something that I will probably never experience in my home Country) began.

Sunday – 3 November 2013  Arrive Alive 

It was early morning when I landed on Gatwick airport, (I have never set my foot outside my home country so this was already an experience) and I then travel by train to my bed and breakfast... Ok, here I realized already that I made a big mistake... Everyone I knew said to me: “Took enough warm clothes”, so I did take enough warm clothes :) big mistake if you have to carry your baggage by yourself from train station to train station (in SA I own my own car).  So, it took me a while to arrive at my B&B that Sunday morning. 

Monday – 4 November 2013  Exploring

Since my goal was to watch tennis, I was not that bothered to do some sightseeing and went directly to the O2 arena.  But first something funny (for me at least) happened at the London Bridge station.  When I bought my ticket in the morning, I bought a “all train ticket” but didn't know that I can’t get on the London underground with that type of ticket, so my ticket wouldn't work at London Bridge underground station, I asked for assistance but she just teared my ticket and I didn't know why and what was going on :). It was “peak time” the morning and with all the passengers, the gates almost stayed opened the whole time, so I went through and got the train to the O2.  But then, when I wanted to leave the station, I obviously couldn't with my teared ticket, so I seeked assistance again and the guy who helped me asked: “How did you get here?” and I answered: “By train” and he said: “This ticket is not for underground services, that’s why they teared your ticket” and I said: “I’m from South Africa and this is totally new to me” he said: “oh, you’re from South Africa?” and opened the gate for me and tell me to buy a oyster card, which I did.  In the days to come, when he was on duty he greeted me with “You’re that girl from South Africa” lol 

So, I arrived at the arena and was welcomed by big big pictures of the top 8 players that would participate at the WTF.

I then “toured” through the O2, but first I tried to get some tickets for the Tuesday match,  because it was between Nole and Federer and this may be a once in a  lifetime opportunity to see those two play against each other (not putting Fed into retirement though).  The tickets at the ticket deck was sold out for Tuesday morning session, so I went only and bought my tickets there.  Then I found the fanzone and of course the second and third practice courts.  Saw a bit of Radek Stepanek practicing, but then left to find the pier in the hope that Novak will arrive there.  I waited till about 2 pm till I arranged with two friends (Janet and Theresa) I’ve met on twitter (through our mutual love for Nole of course) to grab a coffee with them (and finally meet them in person).  They told me that Nole will practice at 5pm on practice court 1 and that they’re going to wait there till then, because with Rafa’s practice it was apparently quite crowded (practice court 1 don’t have seats for spectators like number 2 and 3 in the fanzone).  While waiting, I was approached by a ATP representative that asked to put me in a draw to win a pair of tickets for the final on Monday.  And so we waited, it was quite a long wait till 5pm when Nole was supposed to practice, but all that showed was Nole.  My feet was burning and just as we discussed that Nole would probably not practice that day (he was fashionolable more than 30 minutes late :)), he finally arrived.  That was the first time I saw Nole live.  He started with his stretches (amazing to think that all that movements is just a warm-up to practice).  There was a group of people that was very “chirpy”, they sing songs to Nole, and he responded by smiling at them and encouraging them to cheer for him more.  Then his actual practice started and it was so cool because he was wearing the T-shirt he got from a fan “Nolefam believes in you” again. 

When his practice finished, I waited a bit before leaving, and then the representative from the ATP approached me and said “You've been here for aaaages, and that for this, you are very passionate” (meaning Nole’s practice of course).  Yes, I guess when it comes to Nole I am really passionate (if that is what you call it, some will just call it crazy :)). 

I learned later that Nole came by cable car that day and not by boat, so at least I didn’t miss him at the pier.

Tuesday – 5 November 2013  D-Day

Went to the O2 and the pier first thing again the morning, had my copy of “Serve to win” ready for Nole to sign.  As the hours got by, we were joined by some Fedfans who was waiting for Federer to arrive.  I got along nicely with a lady and her son (Fedfans) from Wales, who did go to extreme lengths to make a very pretty gift for Roger and hope to give it to him.  The security there (very nice people, and they have enjoyed the fans’ hype so much :) ) told them that Fed is not coming by boat, but they wouldn’t believe them.  Just before 16:00 security told us that Nole is on the next boat, and the Fedfans was like: “We’ll shout Roger Federer to him when he walks past us (as if anybody couldn’t see they were Fedfans with their RF skirts/t-shirts/earrings etc etc).  Nole arrived and unlike they’ve said, the Fedfans bombarded him with “love” (not really) but they were all of a sudden like “Nole, Nole sign here” “Nole, can I get a photo?” “Nole, can I get a hug?” then my favorite Fedfan comment of the day “Draw the chicken Nole, I want the chicken” just lol.... Nole answered with “I don’t draw chickens”.... In the process somewhere he did sign my book, and yes he did sign it with the DUCK :).  As a Nolefan, this was sort of really annoying because he was so bombarded by Fedfans and I know there was Nolefans that couldn’t get the opportunity to let him sign anything... But I guess that is what happens with fans.

Subnote: (All the players but Fed past us that day, but I didn’t really take photo’s or ask them to sign or anything)

We heard that Nole will practice on Center Court at 17:00 just before the doubles, so I went in to watch some of Nole’s practise.  Then finally at 18:00 time has arrived for me to experience my first live tennis match.  I really enjoyed the doubles matches. The Brayn Brothers played against Dodig/Mello in a very entertaining match that Dodig/Mello eventually won in the third set match-tiebreak.  Then it was finally #Noletime.  I knew that there wouldn’t be so many Nolefans, but when players where announced I got the impression that it was only a slight favorable Fedcrowd, but as the match went on I realized that impression was totally wrong, I think the “casual” tennis fans totally rooted for Fed, that combined with the already fanatic Fedfans, made for a totally pro Fed crowd (It felt like 80 % vs 20 %, and I know that is probably not true, but that is how it felt).  I shouted my lungs out for Nole.  It was in a way kind of funny, I was totally surrounded by Fedfans (although a few seats from me there was an adorable boy and his dad, and the boy had a poster that said “Lets go Nole”), so everytime I shout for Nole (I have really a strong pair of lungs if it come to supporting my team/man, so I can really shout hard) a bunch of Fedfans start to oppose me cheering for Fed... Yes, I know you are a lot more than me, and can make bigger noise than me...  I think I did my bit to the atmosphere inside :)

But this made my respect and love for Nole even more, my gosh, this is what he had to deal with his whole career.  I’m really sorry to say this, but the Fedfans is totally disrespectful to the game, they cheered every point he won like he just won a GS even if that point was from the opponent’s fault.  I know there is no love lost between him and Nole, but as far as I understood, it was not much better against Nadal either.  They even cheered (like in loudly) for Nole’s Double Faults, which is the lamest thing in tennis any fan can do...  No wonder Fed have an “Aura” – not all players are cut out to beat the opponent and the crowd.... But, luckily for me, Nole did and I could celebrate.  Strangely also, I feel that the Fedfans also put him under immense pressure... He will be ready to serve, but they will keep on shouting “Lets go Roger, lets go”, he didn’t get his first serve in, and they go all crazy, and then many of those follow with double faults (think he made like 7 or 9 of those, and that was the case in all of them).  I couldn’t help it, but it was kind of karma to me.

To have experience this, made me appreciate Nole’s accomplishments so much more than before, just the thought that he had to endure this almost his whole career, and this just because certain people worship a certain player (I will write another post about the Fedfans behavior, otherwise I can go on and on for pages and pages).  I really believe that is why he could develop an “aura”, not all guys can put the crowd out of their mind while playing a fierce opponent, and I don’t suggest that Nole is not as popular as Fed or Rafa or anyone (like some writers always love to let us know), Nole have his fans, but I get the impression that his fans cannot follow him around the world like the Fedfans do (visiting Serbia later the next week, strenghten that thought), I think Nole have a lot more fans in “poorer” countries (if you look at his popularity in India, Asia etc) which I find totally not surprising, coming from a poor country himself, make those people believe they can achieve things just like he did (maybe someone can do research on Nole’s popularity in certain countries).  He had overcome all this, and he did.  He deserves immense respect just for that.  I know that every Fedmatch, there is somewhat of an hype because some feels that his best is past, and they want to “treasure” his appearances or whatever, but being rude to the opponent just because he regulary beat your man is just unacceptable in my opinion.  That was why I enjoyed the doubles match so much, the crowd were cheering every good point, even if it wasn’t from the Bryans, and they supported Dodig/Mello just as much as the Brayn brothers... They appreciated the tennis, not worshiping the players...

Sidenote: Tickets for this match sold out almost immediately and you could only get tickets on viagogo (and on there people make their own prices, because it was such a big match, the prices was crazy.  I paid £102 for a ticket that originally cost £31, and I think some other tickets may have been even worse.

Wednesday – 6 November 2013

To the pier again, and this day I finally meet another twitter friend Morann, who stayed with Janet and came from Israel to see Nole play.  We all had tickets for the whole Wednesday and Thursday originally but I put my tickets on for sale (sold the Nadal match tickets), so we three sit and wait for Nole again but he didn’t show for practise that day.  We were joined by Theresa and she was really happy to take a pic with Delpo that day.  I didn’t went to the night match because after 3 days constantly on my feet, I was dead (As if Nole don’t let us do enough crazy things, he make us lose money too, he have a big bill to pay one day #Djoking). 

Thursday – 7 November 2013

This day, I met two other twitter/Noleforum friends (Yolita and Ana) and we talked mostly about our experiences with the fans and the Troicki saga.  After that, to the pier again, where I meet up with Morann and Janet again, and today we knew we would see Nole because he had to come to play his match.  But we had a collision with the Fedfans again... Just minutes before Nole arrived on his boat, they came from watching Fed’s match in the hope to see him, and same old same old... they made it quite crowded, so from the start I’ve decided that I’m not even going to try to ask him for a photo but rather just take photos of him, but I was really happy for Janet and Morann who did get their photo with him (it was their last day to catch Nole).

Then to inside the O2 arena again, to see Nole practise watch doubles and finally to see Nole take on Delpo.  I had really good seats (in my opinion) just above the entrance, and I had a rail in front of me and I did hang my Serbian flag there and it was really awesome, because everytime Nole got the balls from that side, it felt like he looked me right in the eye (exaggerating but it felt like it).  Even the two persons next to me (two nice Delpo fans) told me at one stage “That’s so awesome, he looks right at your flag”.  I was a bit more subdued in cheering, because the players felt so close, but I did cheer for him loudly again.

When watching this match on tv later, the commentator said that it is a real privilege to see Nole on this surface, and I couldn't agree more. 

Friday – 8 November 2013

Nole wasn’t on the practise schedule at first, so I thought he won’t practice like the previous times and I decided to go and explore a bit of London, it wasn't as successful as it started to rain heavily from about 15:00.  I went “home” early and was a bit disappointed to see that Nole have indeed go to practice, but I knew I have plenty more opportunities to see him during the next couple of days.

Saturday – 9 November 2013

I didn’t have tickets to watch Nole’s match but went to the pier again.  This time, Fed was still in a battle with Delpo, but Nole was late.  We were only about 15 people or so on the pier.  Nole run to us to sign as much as possible, but when asked for a photo he answered that it can only be one and a quick one because he was really late.  I watch the match vs Gasquet on the bigscreen in the fanzone, as my hotel didn't have any Sport coverage.

Sunday – 10 November 2013 A good deed

Again, I didn't’t have any tickets, but then I was approached by a person I started to chat with on twitter (a Novakfan of course), and was invited to meet for a coffee and the person told me that tickets for the SF match of Nole will be send to my e-mail address and that I should just go to the Viagogo office and pick them up. Ok, at this point I have to admit that I have thought that this person was a guy.  I knew the person’s age but not gender, so I was kind of tentative to accept the gift (blushing), so it came as a big surprise when I was called by a lady (at least I know I’m not the only one that sometimes misjudge the gender of a twitterfriend :)) and we have agreed to meet up at Starbucks in the O2 arena, after that we went together to pick up my tickets.  I then decided that Nole would probably not come before 16:00 and that I will watch the first SF between Nadal and Fed in the Fanzone on the bigscreen.  The match eventually ended at about 15:45 and I rush myself to the pier, but you probably by now can guess what happened... The Fedfans also rushed to the pier, so I decided I will be happy with only photos of Nole again.

I then meet up again with my new friend at the entrance to go and watch Nole practise.  We had really really good seats, and the match between Nole and Stan was played in a very good spirit.  I just fell in love with their bromance this year.  At one point Stan asked Nole if a ball that was called out, was out, and Nole answered “I’m not sure, challenge” Stan did, the call was wrong and they had to replay point.  Soon after, Stan asked Nole again if a ball was out and Nole replied “yes” Stan accepted. 

Just before the match, Chirstine (my new friend) asked if Nole win, if I would like to have some final tickets (as I would say no :)).  So, we watched Stan and Nole together and after Nole won, she immediately bought me tickets for the final, and she also told me that she would take me to the airport the Tuesday morning, because my flight was very early.  I really don’t know how I could thank her enough.  She told me “That the world can be a far more better place if we can just do small gestures for each other or help each other”.

Monday 11 November 2013 – Patience paid off

Went to the pier early again,  (yep, I know a lot of people will probably say that I just wasted my money by not seeing London, but from the start, the tennis was my treat.  London, will always be there, Nole not).  The “crowd” was visibly smaller than the previous days, and we were joined by some Rafa fans, and I’ve met yet another Nolefan that I talked with on twitter.  Rafa arrived about 15:00 or just after, but he just walked past and didn’t take photos or sign anything.  He seemed very focussed.  Nole then arrived and I was this time first in line, so I asked him for a photo and he said “Sure”, Joe took the photo for me and asked Nole if he can get one too, Nole said sure and I took their photo.  Nole really spent time to sign or take photos for everyone on the pier that day and I couldn’t help but feeling “Isn’t all this distracting him, Rafa looks so focused” lol

Very happy, I went inside the arena again.  Rafa was still practicing and after that Nole practiced in my favorite green shirt.  I watch the doubles final which was very emotional with the Spanish guys edging past the Bryan brothers.  Then it was time for the big final.  I really felt that the crowd was 50/50 and what I appreciated about the crowd was that there was no venom from them.  Rafans applauded Nole and Nolefans applauded Rafa.  When it was clear that a point was won on an unforced error from the opponent, there was almost silence, same with Double Faults from each side.

I’ve learned that my concern earlier was totally ungrounded because Nole played out of this world, totally dominated.  Can I just say, to watch Rafole go toe to toe live is just something out of this world.  The whole week I’ve witnessed some pretty impressive tennis, but this was something else.  You could sense that both guys have stepped it up a notch.

I was so proud and happy to be a Nolefan after he have won.  To overcome another hard year (I really think many people forgot that he actually had an injury just before RG and I’m convinced it bothered him more than he would let us know.  Unfortunately in the process he lost some crucial matches that robbed him from his confidence) and end like this, is just immense... and I'm really happy that I could experience that live.

Christine took me to my B&B and I went to sleep for just 2 hours.... 

Serbia expedition to follow :)

All my photos of the World Tour Finals is here (sorry, my photography skills needs some serious practice)