Tennis anyone?

[Kalevala]

I didn't know there was an "opening ceremony" until today when I was looking up information for the tournament. And I don't have a lot of time for the kind of gimmickry that the AO seems to be increasingly laying over the top of the tennis. There's never been an "opening ceremony" before, and basically it's just an effort to come up with an extra day they can sell tickets for. I just had a look, the tickets for tonight cost quite a lot.

They got record numbers of attendees at qualifying this week... by burying as much as possible that it was qualifying. They call it "Opening Week" now, and yes there were complaints that people thought they had bought tickets to the first week of the tournament. Things got reframed as having the tournament start on 12 January.

It's like so many things where a business has a great product and then can't leave it alone because there's always the pressure to do more, sell more, keep growing.

Sorry, I'm grumpy about several things today, and a couple of them are actually connected to the tournament.

Sorry to hear about some people thinking that they were buying tickets for the main draw and then finding out that it was for the qualifiers.

Well, the reason that I was interested in watching it (Missed the band part) was due to the fact that I had heard/read that they were going to be honoring Federer.  I quite enjoyed watching him play (Agassi was his partner) against Hewett and Rafter [with a surprise guest being invited in at the end].  They then did on-court interviews with all involved which I thought were well done by Jim Courier.  The stands were packed!

What else is bothering you about the slam Madiel?

K

p.s.  I hope that the other things work out well for you in the end.

[Madiel]

What else is bothering you about the slam Madiel?

The digital ticketing system and having to ask them whether that means my mother can't go buy a coffee without me, or go to the toilet.

Also lingering resentment about the advertising campaign encouraging people to make noise. When we literally had complaints last year that the crowds were getting too noisy.

[Kalevala]

The digital ticketing system and having to ask them whether that means my mother can't go buy a coffee without me, or go to the toilet.

Also lingering resentment about the advertising campaign encouraging people to make noise. When we literally had complaints last year that the crowds were getting too noisy.

Hmmm...any idea how they handle ticketing in the other slams?  And regarding making noise:  what the hey!?  One of the things that I see more often than I'd like, is the chair umpire having to tell people not to make noise/call out between the first and second serve.

K

[Madiel]

Hmmm...any idea how they handle ticketing in the other slams? 

Having never tried to go to any of them, no.

[Kalevala]

Having never tried to go to any of them, no.

I had hoped one year to go to the US Open, but it didn't work out.  I was thinking that perhaps you might have heard something or read an article which mentioned or was about ticketing practices.

If you can, you should really check out the Federer exhibition and tribute (obviously,skip past the parts that you find boring).  The complete video is here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlZ-BalYdio

K

[Madiel]

Every event is a separate event. Organised separately.

I feel no need to watch a tribute. I know he's great.

[Kalevala]

Every event is a separate event. Organised separately.

I feel no need to watch a tribute. I know he's great.

I know that they are all separate events.  Tried looking at the AO website and they mention things like the number of tickets that one can buy to various events, how to be listed as a companion, option to use digital face recognition re tickets, etc.  I would think that one would be able to get a print out or somehow or another share the information with the appropriate parties, but no idea.  That might be a good one to send an email to their customer service and ask how that would work (buying tickets for others in your party).  As far as I can recall, I've never used digital only tickets before.  Years ago, I did buy a ticket for myself to a music festival and I had to print out the ticket info and then was given an arm/wrist band once I arrived at the festival.  Perhaps they do something like that (no print out though), but use a colored and encoded wrist band (or something that slips around your neck and has a card with a barcode/info on it)?  If curious, slip them an email.  I also looked at their FAQ section and didn't find any information there.

I had fun watching the match and then listening to (and learning about) the other players thoughts about the matches that they had against him and also learning more about their careers too, etc. 

Probably won't catch much tennis tonight as I was up early and then spent various chunks of the day shoveling snow.  That's one way to get a good night's sleep.

Hope that you are able to watch some of it--if you wish to do so. 

K

[Belle]

Currently enjoying Stage 2 of the Australian Open.  Tonight a sensational match with Stan Wawrinka, 40, and a 21 year old Frenchman which went for 5 sets.  The 21year old was cramping and had his knees bandaged to help him deal with his 40year old nemesis.  It was one of the most exciting matches I've seen for years!!  Stan is in great form and he only just won the match on a tie break.

[Madiel]

Ticked a couple of players off the bucket list tonight for seeing live.

In Melbourne for a few more days. Won't be much time for classical music listening I expect.

[Kalevala]

Currently enjoying Stage 2 of the Australian Open.  Tonight a sensational match with Stan Wawrinka, 40, and a 21 year old Frenchman which went for 5 sets.  The 21year old was cramping and had his knees bandaged to help him deal with his 40year old nemesis.  It was one of the most exciting matches I've seen for years!!  Stan is in great form and he only just won the match on a tie break.

I heard about that match!  Will have to catch some highlights [The time difference is pretty brutal for me--that and ESPN only showing the matches on one of their channels--and more; don't get me started!].

Ticked a couple of players off the bucket list tonight for seeing live.

In Melbourne for a few more days. Won't be much time for classical music listening I expect.

Oh, nice!  I didn't know that you were there.  Hope that you are enjoying yourself.

K

[Belle]

Kalevala, I can't remember a more exciting match in recent times!!  A 40y/o causing a 21y/o to develop injuries during a match!!  Having said that the Frenchman (Gea) was outstanding.  What a bright future this man (and so many others of late) has!!  The last time I felt that tense and excited during a match was a marathon at the AO well over a decade ago with Nadal and Djokovic playing into the wee small hours!!  The fans in both cases got their money's worth and, by god, I wish I'd been there for the 'vibe'!!

Tennis is a gruelling sport for males, who go on to nurse injuries for the rest of their lives!! 

[Kalevala]

Kalevala, I can't remember a more exciting match in recent times!!  A 40y/o causing a 21y/o to develop injuries during a match!!  Having said that the Frenchman (Gea) was outstanding.  What a bright future this man (and so many others of late) has!!  The last time I felt that tense and excited during a match was a marathon at the AO well over a decade ago with Nadal and Djokovic playing into the wee small hours!!  The fans in both cases got their money's worth and, by god, I wish I'd been there for the 'vibe'!!

Tennis is a gruelling sport for males, who go on to nurse injuries for the rest of their lives!! 

I watched that match on t.v.  I remember the two players struggling to keep upright with Nadal eventually sitting on top of the net whilst the presenters and sponsors were talking (for I think that it was a lifetime for the players struggling to stay upright and also not to cramp) with them being offered  some chairs eventually and some water--nice of Novak to nudge Nadal trying to give him a water bottle.

K

p.s.  Heard about the upcoming temps:  brutal! 

[Kalevala]

  

Kalevala, I can't remember a more exciting match in recent times!!  A 40y/o causing a 21y/o to develop injuries during a match!!  Having said that the Frenchman (Gea) was outstanding.  What a bright future this man (and so many others of late) has!!  The last time I felt that tense and excited during a match was a marathon at the AO well over a decade ago with Nadal and Djokovic playing into the wee small hours!!  The fans in both cases got their money's worth and, by god, I wish I'd been there for the 'vibe'!!

Tennis is a gruelling sport for males, who go on to nurse injuries for the rest of their lives!! 

A further comment, Andy Roddick has a sports podcast...trying to remember whether I heard this here or on Tennis Channel...but there's a lot to be said for experience, particularly dealing with five setters and knowing when to expend energy vs. conserve it.  I do hope (even though he will be playing an American player who I also like)...urgh (divided loyalties!) that he is able to recover well and is able to give his best.  And I'll leave it at that.

K

[Belle]

Yes!!  I observed to the spouse yesterday during the match that experience must count for quite a bit, particularly when youth is no longer available to the player.  Will be interesting to see Djokovic when he plays in the next round, with much the same challenges.

[Kalevala]

Yes!!  I observed to the spouse yesterday during the match that experience must count for quite a bit, particularly when youth is no longer available to the player.  Will be interesting to see Djokovic when he plays in the next round, with much the same challenges.

I'd love to see them compete in the quarter finals.   

K

[Kalevala]

The digital ticketing system and having to ask them whether that means my mother can't go buy a coffee without me, or go to the toilet.

Also lingering resentment about the advertising campaign encouraging people to make noise. When we literally had complaints last year that the crowds were getting too noisy.

Did your mother (or does) go to any of the matches?  And, if so, what did you find out about tickets and access?

And who have you watched play so far? 

K

[Madiel]

My mother is going to everything. She is sitting next to me all the time except when one of us is going to get food or going to the toilet. We made that work. Is this enough information for you?

Sorry, but it feels like you want detail that would take a long time to set out and that you have no need to know because you aren't going to the event.

As to matches: Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night. ANZ Arena on Friday day for doubles matches all day. That about covers it.

[Belle]

Zverev has made it to the next round, but there's an awful lot of talent in that mix. 

[Kalevala]

Zverev has made it to the next round, but there's an awful lot of talent in that mix. 

Yes, he's done well so far.  I still remember watching him play a match at Roland Garros where he went down and seriously hurt his ankle.  It took him quite a while to recover from that one.

I still find it amazing the gap in the rankings points between the top two players and the rest of the field--over double!   

Did you manage to catch any of the matches Belle?  I took a long nap(?) and then watched some of them (doing some dozing off and on I must admit); Novak's and Stan's.  Not much of Sinner's as ESPN started their coverage of it late.  Heard that Naomi decided to withdraw from the tournament.  Sorry to see that.

Do you remember Marcus Willis [think Wimbledon]?  I see that he's still playing doubles.

K

[Belle]

Yes, he's done well so far.  I still remember watching him play a match at Roland Garros where he went down and seriously hurt his ankle.  It took him quite a while to recover from that one.

I still find it amazing the gap in the rankings points between the top two players and the rest of the field--over double!   

Did you manage to catch any of the matches Belle?  I took a long nap(?) and then watched some of them (doing some dozing off and on I must admit); Novak's and Stan's.  Not much of Sinner's as ESPN started their coverage of it late.  Heard that Naomi decided to withdraw from the tournament.  Sorry to see that.

Do you remember Marcus Willis [think Wimbledon]?  I see that he's still playing doubles.

K

I don't remember Willis.  I've been able to catch many matches on Stan - our subscriber sports channel, which offers a choice of all matches.  I haven't seen Djokovic in action yet.  Sinner barely won yesterday as he cramped badly in the heat and the roof was closed on the stadium at that time and he came alive again.  People were protesting, as he seemed likely to lose the match with his cramping.  However, all tennis was stopped from open courts and the other stadium had its roof closed at the same time.  The Melbourne heat is absolutely dreadful - life threatening for sports people - and I'll never understand why the Open is conducted there in the height of summer!!  Heat which is inhuman to tolerate had to be endured by Djokovic and Nadal in the past, when it was over 40C and the roofs were kept open.  It's an occupational health and safety issue!  And also amazed how so few players wear hats.  Sinner is fair and red-headed and the most vulnerable to Melanoma!!  Especially with his history of skiing!!