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Back in March, I had a letter from SW19. My name was drawn out in the ballot for Wimbledon tickets. This time, I was offered tickets for Court 1 on the second Thursday – I’ve only previously been during the first week so was unsure about the matches that we could potentially see. A bit of umming and ahhing as I was unsure about going … just doubles matches would be scheduled as it was Ladies semi final day on Centre Court.
I decided to go for it as thought it would be a lovely opportunity to spend the day with Mum (and a treat for her). She was very excited when I told her! Next step was to ensure Jon could work from home so Callum was looked after.
Next decision was to decide whether to drive or train. Via Paddington, the train times were a little infrequent coming back so we opted to drive to Basingstoke and get the train to Wimbledon from there. One change going out but direct coming back.
Trains ran like clockwork and arrived at Wimbledon Station just after 9am. A quick breakfast in Pret a Manger before we set off to walk to Wimbledon. Slight detour as we were to busy chatting and admiring the Wimbledon-themed shop window displays.
We arrived just before the gates opened at 10.30 and we had a wander around the grounds before the masses arrived. Serena Williams was practising on one of the outside courts and this was where everyone headed.
From here, we walked around Centre Court, Court No 1 and found out where our gate was. Saw Henman Hill and people were starting to take up position ready for the Ladies Semi Finals the flowers around the grounds were still looking beautiful.
The action on Court No 1 wasn’t starting until 1pm, we headed over to Court No 2 to watch the Gentleman’s Senior Invitation match between Patrick McInroe & Mansour Bahrami and Cedric Pioline & Rick Leach. This was probably the best, most entertaining tennis match I’ve seen. For a chap of 60, Mansour Bahrami was bounding about the court like a 20 year old. This trick shots and banter between the four had themselves and the crows in stitches.
At one point whilst waiting to receive serve, Bahrami spotted a lady taking a photo of him so walked over so she could get a better shot … and a selfie or two with her. The next thing we knew was McInroe getting his phone and getting the lady to take a photo of him and Bahrami!. Pioline and Leach begged the umpire to give a time violation.
Top marks to the umpire and lines judges for playing their part in making this so entertaining for everyone. If you are lucky enough to get to Wimbledon or any grand slam where the Gents seniors are playing, go and watch one of the matches. You won’t be disappointed (especially if Bahrami is playing!)
We had to break off from the match at 12.30 to head to take our places on Court No 1. The sun was out and we were relieved to find our seats were in the back row under cover. The was also a nice breeze.
First up was the Ladies Doubles match between the defending champions Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza against Schvedeva and Babos. A cracking game but there were too many errors from the defending champions and the East Europeans breezed into the semis, and eventually making it to the final where they lost to the Williams Sisters.
Mens Doubles was next and it was the French duo of Benneteau and Rogers-Vasselin (who knocked out Jamie Murray and Bruno Suores the previous evening) up against the seeded pair of Ram and Klassen (who’d knocked out the Bryan Brothers). A very closely fought first game, then Mum and I left them to it and went to grab some lunch. Perfect timing … the Grill restaurant was pretty empty and mum and I ordered the Lobster and Crayfish Roll with fries and a glass of Pimms! It was good. Just after we sat down the news came through that Venus Williams had been knocked out by Angelique Kerber … and the grill started to fill up with people from Centre Court.
We’d missed the 2nd set and it was all square in the third when we returned. Again all very close with the score being 2-1 to the French pair after the first three sets. Nip and tuck all fourth set with the French pair squeaking it on a tie-break.
Final match of the evening was Mixed Doubles and British interest in Heather Watson pairing up with the Finn, Henri Kontinen. They had a tough match against the defending champions, Martina Hingis and Leander Paes. We thought it might be over quite quickly, but Heather and Henri were playing really well as a pair. They lost the first set, but played brilliantly to win the next two sets. Slightly worry in the final set … it started to rain! A lot of deliberating as to whether the grass was too slippy to continue. Thankfully it stopped quickly and we saw the match to its conclusion. Their journey would take them right to the final and lift the winners trophy. Martina was seemingly jinxed on Court No 1 today as she lost both matches.
We left our seats on Court No 1 to head home at 7.45pm. Shuttle bus to Wimbledon Station and then the train home. It was full so we had to stand but it was a 30 min journey. We got to our car at Basingstoke, 1 hour after leaving Wimbledon which is fantastic timing.
A great day out – and it worked out so much better being on Court No 1 today. Mum isn’t a big fan of the Williams Sisters, and she really enjoyed the Doubles matches we saw.
Fingers crossed that we come up trumps in the ballot for next year!
