Okay, so as I mentioned yesterday, I’m going to be experimenting with Vine here at the Citi Open, because I think it could be a fun way to bring the tournament alive in a different way, which is basically what we’re always trying to do here at The Changeover.
The only problem is that I’m going to need a lot of practice before I’m really any good at this. But that’s what you dear friends are for–trial runs!
I took my iPhone around the grounds today and took Vines of everyone practicing between the hours of 1:00-2:00, so right before the matches began today and while the heat was BLAZING. I’m great at timing.
Anyways, here’s a moving look at the Citi Open grounds, hopefully with some of your favorite players.
Let’s start with the big stretch of practice courts. Here are a few looks at this. They look like all of the practice courts ever. Fun!
On the courts, we had the dynamic duo of Nikolay Davydenko and Gilles Simon playing some points. There was not a lot of power, but they sure can run!
Sloane Stephens was hitting with Brad Gilbert (back left in the green and the hat). She still couldn’t really find her feel of the ball.
Kevin Anderson was warming up, waiting for his turn in the sun.
As I walked around, I ran into Benny, who was meandering in that way that only Benny meanders.
Dodig was practicing hard on Match Court 1. (He was practicing with Melo, who is not Vined.)
Bogomolov Jr. and Quereshi were on Grandstand 2 working up a sweat…
and Ms. Garcia was over on Match Court 2 working on her serves.
Here’s the food court and the side of the Stadium, in case you’re into that sort of thing, you HEATHENS.
On the other side of the grounds, there are two private practice courts on either side of the Grandstand 1.
There was a big crowd watching the first practice court…
because they wanted to see Delpo and Berankis! (Or, you know, just Delpo. WHATEVER.)
As I walked over to the second practice court, I ran into Alize Cornet, who was working on her grip before her match on Grandstand against Yanina Wickmayer.
There was not a big crowd at practice court 2.
Do you know why? Because it was Stepanek (who won this title in 2011, btw) practicing with a child.
But Steps didn’t practice with a child for very long. Eventually Mardy Fish showed up, and after getting his arm worked on by his trainer, he hit with Stepanek.
It is SO GOOD to see Mardy Fish back on the tennis court. Also, I overheard an extremely awkward conversation between Fish and Stepanek, but you’re going to have to wait for the podcast to hear about that. TEASER. Hahaha. The power.
Oh, and I didn’t get Vines of Grandstand or Stadium today, but here are a couple from last night. The crowds were WILD. Calm down, everyone,
Okay, out to watch some more tennis and practice my Vining!
“I ran into Alize Cornet, who was working on her grip before her match on Grandstand against Yanina Wickmayer.”
It paid off with an easy win for Cornet. Keep the Vining up!
Linz,
Give us a small hint on what Fish and Stepanek were discussing. Could it have been on Vaidisova?
OK, I’m loving all the Vines today, keep it up, it’s super fun! Thanks for that little shot of Berankis too, I miss seeing him on court.
Oh Benny! Always Benny!
So you can just bunmp into tennis players at these events? I’ve only been to the Rotterdam Open and it was way more polished and glamorous compared to what I’m seeing here. Then again, I’m not a journalist so I wasn’t allowed backstage or anything.
Anyway, fun article, do more of these in the future!