Tennis Pros

Gillermo Coria - Legg Mason (Washington D.C.) 05

2008-11-04T11:17:00.000-08:00

That was when Gillarmo Coria was just about to enter Top 10 in the World. He did not have the security guards surrounding him yet. He was playing against Fernando Gonzalez when I was at the side court on the first row. I was scared sitting in the first raw every time Fernando swag his racket so fast. He does hit violently. Fernando had problems with his drop shot, so it was not until his 5th or 6th attempt when he finally scored the first point with the drop shot against Coria. My friend then was a huge fan of Coria, so she walked up to him for his autograph. He was very friendly and likable. I hope he recovers from his nightmare French Open loss.

Rafael Nadal - Rogers Cup (Toronto) 08

2008-11-04T09:26:00.000-08:00

We met a couple of fantastic die hard Rafa fans who are Toronto locals. They told us that Rafa loves Sushi, so they were waiting for him to pass by and eat Sushi in front of the Sushi kiosk in VIP lounge. Rafael sure enough grabbed the Sushi pack according to them. Rafa was trying to pay for it, but the Kiosk attendant said that he did not need to pay. He thanked him and happily put the Sushi pack under his right arm and walked away.

It kept raining in Toronto although we did not miss any matches. We decided to go to practice courts as soon as it was cleared up. Rafa was the next one to go against Igor Andreev. We did not expect Rafa practicing so soon after it was cleared, but there he was! He hit only 15 minutes and made his way back to the player's lounge - that means, he must walk pass by us! The Toronto local ladies told me that he would never sign before the match. When he approached us, uncle Toni went ahead of Rafa, so Rafa would not encounter with us first. I just told him, "Rafa, Good luck!". He smiled and said, "thank you!" as he was walking quickly back to the lounge.

We are on the third row from Rafa as he played agianst Andreev. He looked thinner than he appears on the TV screen, which was my impression when I saw him first in Miami Open 2005.

I got three autographs from Rafa after the match against Andreev that he won in straight sets. He was relaxed and carefully choosing where to sign on each article presented. He ever lets his fans down.

Marat Safin - Rogers Cup (Toronto) 08

2008-11-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

It was early in the morning at the airport in Toronto when my friend and I were ready to board to a jet liner to Cincinnati after having enjoyed Canadian Open during the 2nd and 3rd rounds. I told my friend that I was going to finish my coffee before boarding, so she was already ahead of the line. When I finished my coffee, I saw someone who looked familiar...Robby Ginepri look-alike? Then, I glanced next to him who was tall and fantastic looking - then I knew it was not a look-alike of Robbi but it was a real Robby and Marat Safin!! My friend Valerie is a die hard Marat fan next to Rafael Nadal, so I ran to her and said that do not panic but turn around slowly and see who she saw. Her jaws dropped and she was speachless for a moment. It was Marat and Robby . How in the world is the US Open champion flying with us???

I wished Robby good luck but he seemed just stunned that anyone even recognized him. He was at the first seat from the entrance.

Marat had a backpack that he needed to put in the overhead compartment. The jet was so small that I could not pass by him while Marat was struggling to put his bag away. Marat was easily reaching the ceiling of the jet, so he actually had to bend down to put the bag in the compartment. I was patiently waiting for him to finish right behind him. After he put his bag away and had just sat down, my eyes (standing) were at the same level as his eyes (sitting). I naturally wished him good luck in Cinci. He smiled and thanked me.

There was one more Tennis star on board! Dimtry Tursnov just boaded right before the take off. All passengers applauded but it was not because he was Dimtry, but he made it before the take off. Nobody except my friend Valerie and myself seemed to know of Marat, Robbi, or Dimtry! Unforgivable fact from the standpoint of Tennis fans.

My seat was only 4 rows behind Marat's. He put his head against the window and had slept almost all the way through to Cincinnati. He did not take any drink or snack offers.

When we landed in Cinci, we actually walked side by side with Marat and his agent. He kindely paused for a photo with Valerie having chosen a nice background in the airport. I asked him who the first opponent was in Cinci. He said, "well, I actually don't know...do you (to his agent) ?" His agent said, "I think it is Andy Murray." I said, "Marat, whoever your opponent is, you will do well. You are a GREAT tennis player!" He had a shy smile and thanked me sincerely. He did not make a big deal out of the fact he is a huge tennis star. He was just like a man next door all the time in our encounter.

His fist opponent in Cinci was actually his friend Dimtry. Marat lost badly without really giving a fight.

Rafael Nadal - US Open 06

2008-11-04T07:32:00.000-08:00

A rain delay worked great on me because Rafa's match was moved to Louis Armstrong from Arthur Ash, so I moved quickly to secure a good seat while Agassi was playing his last professional game agsint Benjamin Becker. Why did I not stay until the last point with Agassi? As soon as the game was played, I saw Agassi's energy level very low and could not foresee him win or the game was going to be intersting. No offense to Agassi fans, but I do not enjoy game with low energy. Besides, I had to secure a good seat to watch Rafa's game. He did his trade mark scissors kicks after winning a long rally. He won in 3 sets and I rashed down to get his autograph, but there were many kids before me. Rafa was actually asking us not to push because there was a little boy who has been almost crashed. Rafa said, "please don't push. I will sign for everyone, but here is a little boy in danger. Please do not push. If you keep pushing, I will leave!" He was covering the little boy with his one arm as he was pushing the crowd back with the other. He played 3 hard faught sets but he still looked clean and refreshed as if he had just taken shower. He made sure that the little boy escaped the mad crowd and kept giving autograph until the Open security crew took him away. He kept signing even he was pulled by one of the security personnel. What a nice individual!