The Girl with the Goalden Boot

Sunday, January 06, 2008

 

"Feli te amo!"

I headed to the Medibank International 2008 today, just because the outside courts were for FREE (today only). My friend Vanessa had already bought tickets with her mum and sister, so they spent most of their day on Centre Court, while I was free to venture everywhere at the Tennis Centre.

I started the day watching John Isner (super tall American guy with the fastest serve ever) vs a Serbian guy. It was only a qualifying match. Isner was too powerful for the Serb. I got Isner's autograph afterwards. He warned a few fangirls not to stand too close to him while they were having their photos taken with him because he was sweating to much, LOL.

Then I wandered around and eventually found my way to the practice courts. Saw a few players I knew, and many more I didn't! I wandered a bit more and saw Tomas Berdych waiting for a court Tommy Robredo was almost finished using. As Tommy was leaving, a few Japanese girls were taking pics with him, so I thought, why not? Photo now uploaded onto Facebook. He looks quite alright. ;)

After lunch, I went back to the practice courts, this time with Vanessa. I told her that's where all the action really took place! At the same time, I was telling her about this gorgeous Spaniard, 6ft3, blue eyes, Wilson racket... and just as I was describing him, I found him practising already! Feliciano Lopez!!! He was HOT. omg. I managed to find my way to the bit not surrounded by fencing, and took many, many photos. I took my Spanish flag out (folded) on my bag, hoping Feli would sign it after he'd finished practising. The flag, along with my Nike bandana (which Heather bought for me!), caught his eye, and he gave me a quick glance as he changed sides with his practising partner. *heart beats faster* I whispered to Vanessa, "omg, did he just stare at me?"

Then Vanessa had to return to Centre Court to find her mum and sister, while I stayed on to watch Feli. Nancy, a colleague, warned me that Feli wasn't too friendly, as he refused to sign autographs when she went to the tournament a few years ago. Thank God, he was in a good mood today. He took photos with some fangirls, I just missed out because Vanessa had gone already and I had no one to hold the camera for me! I waited patiently for him to finish with the photos, and I got my Spanish flag signed! I managed a little "gracias", but I don't think he heard me because I could barely breathe by then! I have never seen anyone so handsome in my life... ♥

When Vanessa returned, she apologized for abandoning me at such a crucial moment, lol! We saw other players practising, including Ana Ivanovic, Li Na and Jamie Murray. Then we decided to take a photo together with my flag. A lady saw us with the flag and started speaking Spanish to us, and I was like *smile and nod*, lol... we ended up having a mini conversation about the Spanish players. I showed her where Feli signed my flag, and she told me she has 3 big flags, 2 of Mallorca, and I'm like, "Mallorca! Rafa Nadal!" Then she was telling us (now in English) that she's from Mallorca. I asked her if she was from Manacor (where Rafa lives), but she told me she's from Palma, which is 20km from Manacor, and that Mallorca is only 80km wide. She started telling me about Carlos Moya, and how he lives the good life *bwah!*. I told her I like him too, but I wish to watch Rafa the most, but too bad he's not coming to Sydney. She then said she will be watching Rafa down in Melbourne at the Aust Open. We had to head off, so I said "adios!" Hee.

Wow. What a day! I really didn't expect so much to happen because I thought I'd only be watching the qualifiers for free. Photos uploaded on Facebook. I'm returning tomorrow to watch Feli in his first round match before I go to work. Vamos Feli! ♥

Lola Nadal 10:24 PM