Post by Louiselp on Nov 11, 2004 2:26:30 GMT
Please note... I have moved all the comments from this thread to this thread marianosboard.proboards29.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1100811210 - thank you for all your kind comments [/b]
Welcome to the ETT Paris Report
ETT Members for Paris were!
Me!
Jordan
Marcus
Kitzfan
Giovi
Egg
Lyn
Chan
Maria
Barbara
Frogburger from MTF
+ many more friends
Special Players
Mariano
Gaston
Fernando Gonzalez
Paradorn Srichaphan (NOT a misprint)
Sargis Sargsian
OK!!! time to get typing....
In Madrid someone (who knows Mariano extremely well) told me he was not going to Paris, and that his last tournament would be Basel. I took this information on board, but really hoped he would change his mind as I was planning to take Jordan to Paris and she was hoping to see her favourite player again.
The alternate list for Paris came out, Mariano was 11th on the list. Mariano started to climb up the alternate list but by the time the Qualies draw was out - he was again at the top of the list. But as he was top of the list in Madrid.... I thought it was too close but no cigar again. The draw came out.... and it was there in black and white.... Mariano was playing Thierry Ascione 4th match on Saturday!!
WooHoo!!! he WAS going to Paris after all.... AND Jordan would get to see him play!!! AND 4th Match was a really sensible time!!! - things were too good to be true!!!
Jordan and I flew out together at 5am, she had no sleep the night before, she was too excited. I had told her what the "friend" had told me in Madrid.... she said.... tell me this has a happy ending!!!!!!!!!! - I told her YES!! 4th match Saturday!! - she did a little war dance..
Jordan is also a brilliant little travel companion! - she's great - she is available for hire...
We dumped our stuff at our hotel, it was too early to check in properly - and we went up to the tennis.
We met Frogburger!!! - Frog was a brilliant source of information, we now had a list of who had gone in and out of Bercy. There is NO access to the Practice courts in Bercy, there is only one way to gain access to the players, the true fans know this - and the Players are really friendly to the fans there too. Mariano arrived looking really happy! - in a rush - but really happy.
We then went to get our tickets. Of course... if I was sensible, I would have looked at the order of play before buying my ticket.... but that's too sensible!! - 2 tickets bought... and then a quick glance at the Order of Play..... Thierry Ascione v Someone Else completely different....
PANIC - things did not make sense.... he was there!! we saw him!!! - it was definitely him!!! - not Fernando Gonzalez... his trainer was there too - they looked happy!!! - surely he would not have just come to the stadium to pull out at the last minute.... he looked too happy to be a pull out... Confused of Stevenage!!!!
SO... of course.... I rang Marcus.... - woke him up... and told him to tell me what was going on.... (I have my husband well trained....) he logged on to ATP.... and checked the lists.... saying - ah yes!!! last direct acceptance = Mariano!!! - he's in!! Phew...
So my next question was.... who's he playing???
Marcus then mumbled something about wifes ringing him from Paris when he's trying to sleep etc etc etc.... - then he burst out laughing!!!
Marcus said (shouted) - Paradorn!!! - he's playing Paradorn!!! I'm packing my Thai flag NOW! - Look after Jordan!!! See you Monday!!! - I let him go back to sleep.... and went back to the Gate to collect more autographs with Jordan.
[Disclaimer.... Marcus, Paradorn and Mr Srichaphan are friends... - this reaction was to be expected - Marcus and I have been waiting for this match for 3 years...]
Mariano came out.... Jordan went in for the attack... He remembered her - of course... this bought her even more time with Mariano. thanks for making a fuss of her!!!
We then decided we needed to find out what was going on.... So I asked what was going on? Mariano told us he was playing Paradorn.... I acted surprised.... (sorry..... ) but he was very very happy! - it was so great to see.
There was quite a crowd outside at that moment - (including Lyra! - it was nice to meet you Lyra!) everyone who wanted a photograph with a very happy tennis player had one. It was a lovely 10 minutes. Then he was gone. Jordan was very happy. Very very very happy. It was so lovely to see ........
Mariano - thank you for making a 10 year old girl feel very important.
TO be continued...............
Welcome to the ETT Paris Report
ETT Members for Paris were!
Me!
Jordan
Marcus
Kitzfan
Giovi
Egg
Lyn
Chan
Maria
Barbara
Frogburger from MTF
+ many more friends
Special Players
Mariano
Gaston
Fernando Gonzalez
Paradorn Srichaphan (NOT a misprint)
Sargis Sargsian
OK!!! time to get typing....
In Madrid someone (who knows Mariano extremely well) told me he was not going to Paris, and that his last tournament would be Basel. I took this information on board, but really hoped he would change his mind as I was planning to take Jordan to Paris and she was hoping to see her favourite player again.
The alternate list for Paris came out, Mariano was 11th on the list. Mariano started to climb up the alternate list but by the time the Qualies draw was out - he was again at the top of the list. But as he was top of the list in Madrid.... I thought it was too close but no cigar again. The draw came out.... and it was there in black and white.... Mariano was playing Thierry Ascione 4th match on Saturday!!
WooHoo!!! he WAS going to Paris after all.... AND Jordan would get to see him play!!! AND 4th Match was a really sensible time!!! - things were too good to be true!!!
Jordan and I flew out together at 5am, she had no sleep the night before, she was too excited. I had told her what the "friend" had told me in Madrid.... she said.... tell me this has a happy ending!!!!!!!!!! - I told her YES!! 4th match Saturday!! - she did a little war dance..
Jordan is also a brilliant little travel companion! - she's great - she is available for hire...
We dumped our stuff at our hotel, it was too early to check in properly - and we went up to the tennis.
We met Frogburger!!! - Frog was a brilliant source of information, we now had a list of who had gone in and out of Bercy. There is NO access to the Practice courts in Bercy, there is only one way to gain access to the players, the true fans know this - and the Players are really friendly to the fans there too. Mariano arrived looking really happy! - in a rush - but really happy.
We then went to get our tickets. Of course... if I was sensible, I would have looked at the order of play before buying my ticket.... but that's too sensible!! - 2 tickets bought... and then a quick glance at the Order of Play..... Thierry Ascione v Someone Else completely different....
PANIC - things did not make sense.... he was there!! we saw him!!! - it was definitely him!!! - not Fernando Gonzalez... his trainer was there too - they looked happy!!! - surely he would not have just come to the stadium to pull out at the last minute.... he looked too happy to be a pull out... Confused of Stevenage!!!!
SO... of course.... I rang Marcus.... - woke him up... and told him to tell me what was going on.... (I have my husband well trained....) he logged on to ATP.... and checked the lists.... saying - ah yes!!! last direct acceptance = Mariano!!! - he's in!! Phew...
So my next question was.... who's he playing???
Marcus then mumbled something about wifes ringing him from Paris when he's trying to sleep etc etc etc.... - then he burst out laughing!!!
Marcus said (shouted) - Paradorn!!! - he's playing Paradorn!!! I'm packing my Thai flag NOW! - Look after Jordan!!! See you Monday!!! - I let him go back to sleep.... and went back to the Gate to collect more autographs with Jordan.
[Disclaimer.... Marcus, Paradorn and Mr Srichaphan are friends... - this reaction was to be expected - Marcus and I have been waiting for this match for 3 years...]
Mariano came out.... Jordan went in for the attack... He remembered her - of course... this bought her even more time with Mariano. thanks for making a fuss of her!!!
We then decided we needed to find out what was going on.... So I asked what was going on? Mariano told us he was playing Paradorn.... I acted surprised.... (sorry..... ) but he was very very happy! - it was so great to see.
There was quite a crowd outside at that moment - (including Lyra! - it was nice to meet you Lyra!) everyone who wanted a photograph with a very happy tennis player had one. It was a lovely 10 minutes. Then he was gone. Jordan was very happy. Very very very happy. It was so lovely to see ........
Mariano - thank you for making a 10 year old girl feel very important.
TO be continued...............