Madrid 2008 - Welcome back to Europe!!

[LouisebackfromMadrid]

Mariano IS in Madrid - a few of us knew about this but did not want to announce anything to the world just in case it did not happen - BUT IT DID

[Louisebackfrommadrid]

So... now my computer will calm down and stop jumping about...

Mariano really is in Madrid - this is fact

I can confirm this fact as Bea, Corina and I were there in Madrid - waiting for him - Birte, Sjoukje and lots more people were there too - it was a great moment.

Sorry I didnt let everyone know - but I didnt want to say anything here just in case it did not happen

but it did

Mariano stood next to a court watching Canas and Arnold at 7.25pm Monday night - and normallity to the tennis world (for Mariano European Welcoming Committee) was restored

He then came out and practiced with Monaco and Canas for 2 hours..... The European Welcome Committee were there (as promised) to see him back in Europe

He was welcomed back with open arms by loads of Players too.

Priceless Session - Priceless couple of days...

Amazing...

Mariano will be in Europe for Madrid, Lyon and Paris

but Message from Mariano -

HE IS NOT A COACH

(Daussy - can you get to Paris?)

[kitzfan]

Hola!

I got a confirmation in Madrid that replaying memories can be even better than the original ones... Anyone agrees?

I was absent from this site for quite long, but after receiving a midnight message I could not resist to join to the last Madrid experience, dedicating it to nice memories from the past... someting like 4 years memories...

But what was supposed to be a journey through the past became a high speed ride full of excitement in our time. Amazing! Incredible! and lots of fun!!!! I think Corina and Louise can explain the details better I can only add my feelings about the great times which I spent with the nice ladies from this site and the excitement about my first real player moment - with the player I was supporting for years and hopefully will support again during the time starting from next year. Because HE WANTS TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR. Right?

The whole situation was shocking, surprising and lovely. Mariano was amazing, nice, friendly but I am not the one who should describe the details. I simply enjoyed the moment. So, Louise, Corina... your turn...

I still think that the original Bangles lyrics can be improved to became a real "Magic Monday" song, but even in this version it tells a lot...

Eight oclock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin valentino
By a crystal blue argentine stream

...

Its just another magic monday
I wish it was always
cause thats my funday
My I dont have to runday
Its just another magic monday

Whatever... All in all IT WAS "MONDAY" Unfortunately I am back to the regular weekdays, but looking forward to the next "Magic Monday"... Maybe in Paris... Hopefully in Paris...

Thanks to everyone for these amazing days! At the tennis, at the Hard Rock Cafe and all over... Madrid is a great place... Mostly if you spend it in great company! And mostly if you meet a player who is good at crossing the Rubicon:) And he IS A PLAYER, not a coach, not a retired player, but a player. This was the best tennis news since long times. He will come back and his fans are ready to support him (which is not new... ) and his tennis mates (co-workers) were also happy to see him back on the circuit and to see this was one of the best things. He was welcomed back ot only by us (which is normal) but also by the other players, coaches etc. Lovely scenes! WELCOME BACK TO THE CIRCUIT MARIANO!

What can I say... MADRID RULEZ ! MONDAY ! YMCA!

Love, Bea

[Greg]

Welcome back Mariano, everyone has missed you. It is like a seeing a brother after he comes home from college, a moment with such great joy. So Mariano is a player not a coach, does this mean we should expect him to start play up in 2009 or does the mean in the upcoming weeks, we should expect to see him as a WC in atp events, or European Challenger events???

[louisebackfrommadrid]

Greg - don't go looking at drawsheets until at least 2009... and dont go wishing for stars yet. He's got a plan and he's doing the right thing - be happy


Kitzfan - or should you be renamed to MadridFan - thank you for your lovely memory report - you have sparked me into writing a diary for our trip! - but it will not be able to even come close to the Madrid Magic - but I will try!

Corina! - you need to add your diary too! - and of course everyone else that was there... PLEASE add to this thread

My diary is to follow...

[louisebackfrommadrid]

Hi Everyone - a very kind request

PLEASE DO NOT COPY OR PASTE ANY PARTS OF THIS DIARY ON MTF OR ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE INTERNET -
I would like it to remain here and only here - as this is where it belongs - thank you -

Louise.
[e-mail]


Madrid Diary

It has been so long since I wrote a Trip Diary I hope I still have the Magic.... here goes...

About a month ago I heard a rumour - it was a "someone told someone told someone told someone else" style of rumour but this rumour was from a reliable source and it also had other grains of truth that I knew about so it seemed like this could be possibility more than rumour. SO... of course one crazy night I decided I needed confirmation of this rumour - and wrote a crazy email - and got confirmation the rumour was true from a REALLY reliable source - Mariano WAS coming with Monaco to Madrid - thank you.

Its amazing HOW quickly trips can be organised!!!! - and 21st Century technology is wonderful.

It was also Birte's Birthday Party on Saturday night - a group of girls had already planned to be there - so Corina, Bea and I joined the Party - a great trip was had by all.

(Lucas stayed at home with Marcus and Mandy for this trip - it was a Girl's Party Weekend - and it was just great!)

Friday

Corina and I met up at the hotel and did the Sightseeing Bus. Just to make sure to everyone that we did actually do some sightseeing in Madrid and not just study various specimens of Tennis Player from many different countries of the world, we actually got some culture thrown in too.

Friday night - we arranged for Bea to meet us at the Table at the Hard Rock Cafe - allowing maximum party time and minimum hotel time - this was our evening base for the 4 days - and a great base it was too. (Our Hotel was beautiful too)

Saturday.

I spent the whole day relaxing by the practice courts - ok some people may have thought this was really boring and a completely wasted day - but hey - how many of those people have got a completely adorable extremely active 3 year olds with them all day? Believe me - Saturday was just perfect heaven - to sit down - relax and watch the world literally walk by!

There was a problem though... Team Monaco appeared - but Nicolas Lapentti was with them instead... Sara you will be proud of me! - I mentioned Nico for you!! there you go!! Nico was NOT really who we wanted to see - but hey he did have a match to play so we will let him off...

Team Monaco came out again later on that day - THIS time with Novak Djokovic.... AGAIN! not who we wanted to see.... so this time I tried to make contact with Monaco.... sorry did I forget to say that Djokovic was also there??? as you can probably guess - I failed to make contact with Monaco.... 10 minutes later another member of Team Monaco appeared; I tried to make contact with him too - and failed again - I was having a bad contact moment!!! - luckily this did not last long and I managed somehow to find out he was still coming and would be arriving Monday.

MONDAY!!!! - slight problem... I was flying home Monday... ah... Easyjet have a great flight changing system and I have a most amazing Husband too - (with excellent secretarial skills....).

Saturday night - Birte's Party - great time had by all - lots of food and alcohol flowing...

Sunday

Perfect day to take pictures of matches - and actually watch some matches without having to be on Practice Court Patrol. It was also Day 1 of the 1st round.

SO!! - the Tournament Director and Radek Stepanek decided to ruin our plans - of course - they did not get my email stating whatever you do you must NOT ruin this trip; and decided that Monaco would play SUNDAY (not MONDAY) and Radek was mean... and spoilt our party. DONT DO IT AGAIN - OK!

Monday

Monday was amazing.

Monday started with the Practice Court Patrol. Madrid had a wonderful plan. It was two tier - the first level had a coffee bar where you could lean agains the wall and look down on all three Practice courts and see who was practicing where at all times. The lower level also had a coffee bar where you could see the practices and catch the players - if they wanted to be caught. Perfect Planning.

I was up on the top level watching all courts when a blast from the past just walked past me - Mariano's former Coach who was also our favourite coach (and the coach we would like to have return with him when he returns...) crossed my path! - and he was the last person we expected to see - but it was great to see him again! he explained he had been out of the circuit for 2 years too - it was a sign that this was the day that memories would be relived and improved on in Dreamland Madrid.

There were some great doubles matches planned for Monday - so we agreed that there would always be someone "on duty" and an SMS would be sent to whoever was watching matches if any news was needed to be told - usual Tennis Fan procedure.

Time was getting on and it was gone 6pm - Bea just looked at me and said - THERE ARE STILL 6 hours of Monday left!!! and there is a night session - we are not going anywhere! - the HRC can wait for us tonight too!!! Corina went to see a match - with the promise of an SMS...

7pm Corina came back... Lucas Arnold Kerr and Canas came on the court - so I started complaining... similar characteristics but STILL NOT RIGHT... TRY again!!!! just joking of course. and at 7.25pm I said to Bea was standing next to me & also standing next to Corina - "Can you SMS Corina that Mariano is here...." (My phone had stopped working...)

They looked at me and laughed and said - very funny - and then saw the look on my face realising I was serious - and said "WHERE!"

to be continued....

[Greg]

Louise I have never read one of your diary posts before nad you are truly a great writer. You left me hanging!!! AHHH Finish.

[Louiselpwritingupthediary]

Thanks Greg - go to Fan Stories... they are all there!!! - enjoy!

[Louiselpwritingupthediary]

Hi again Everyone

Please do not copy and paste this diary anywhere else on the Internet - it belongs here and I would like it to stay here - where it will be well looked after - thanks again - Louise - [e-mail]

=======================================

Madrid Diary - Part 2

7.25pm - Mariano was standing by the big Rolex clock telling everyone what the time was.... - it was 7.25pm... he was too tall to hide behind it and too tall to hide behind Fitness Trainers too. He had been spotted - he was in Madrid. Standing there... He stood there for about 5 minutes.... and then dissappeared again.

He returned about 20 minutes later with Monaco looking Radiant (Monaco just looked like Monaco.... - just kidding - he looked really happy tooo!)

--

Eight O Clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissing valentino
by a crystal blue argentine stream

---

Its just another Magic Monday
I wish it was always
cause thats our fun day
Our I dont have to runday
Its just another Magic Monday

--- (Music - Bangles - Words - Bea, Corina, Louise) ---

As Bea explained - this summed up our mood perfectly!!!
(and ok there was no valentino... but what do you expect on the spur of the moment in Dreamland Madrid???) -
LOUISE GET BACK TO WRITING THE DIARY NOW!!!

---

Mariano and Monaco were on court together.... Canas was still there - and we witnessed Team Canas welcome Mariano officially back On Court in open arms - it was a beautiful moment.

Mariano started "work" with Monaco. Mariano acknowledged the European Welcome Committee - (while on court) in true M-Style!!

Normal Service had resumed!!!!! - the confidence was back and there was an electricity overload in place in the Practice Courts of Madrid

Ok... now we get to the hard bit.

Mariano was coaching Monaco. Mariano was doing all the things that a coach does... standing in the corner, picking up balls.... we didnt like it....

We LOVED the fact he was there!! in Person!! being totally radiant and smily and having lots of fun - but he was coaching.... and it just did not feel right...

SO... of course... Mariano then suddenly appears! - stops directly in front of us - looks directly at us - on court, through the fence thing and - clearly, firmly and politely informs us

"I am not a Coach! - I want to play next year!"

It was not a request, or a wish - it was a statement! - so obviously we replied "Excellent!!" and let him go back to his temporary job

Then something amazing started to happen - this amazing act continued on Tuesday Practice sessions too.

Max Mirnyi appeared on the courts. He stopped in front of us! and he looked totally surprised!! and he was delighted to see Mariano in front of him! - there was a big hug and "what are you doing here?" - I am here with Monaco - I am returning next year - or words and actions to that effect - the body language between Max and Mariano was adorable.

Max had started the process... 5 minutes later Gael Monfils appeared and repeated the Max moment - stopped, looked, hugs smiles, explanations - next player.... Nikolai Davydenko, Arnaud Clement.... basically all the Players all individually welcomed him back in open arms!

Magic Monday's practice session carried on until about 10pm.. and finally it came to an end... Monaco came out and signed a flag for some Argentinians who were waiting for them - Monaco then stood and watched while Senor Popular came out signing and greeting all the Argentinians that had gathered to see him. A security lady checked if he was ok... and his happy reaction was yes!!! I am fine... I am going over there!!!!

We were "over there!!!"

and.... the European Welcome Committee welcomed him to Europe

==

End of Magic Monday

Terrific Tuesday to follow.

[daussyk]

yes i am so happy i will be in paris to see him next week

[Greg]

I am looking forward to 'terrific' Tuesday.

[Louise Lewis-Price]

If it is ok with Corina - I would like Corina to do the next post... - Corina what do you think? I will then complete my diary.... (ok I am buying time to finish writing .... hehehe!) ... Bea feel free to add comments and more info....

[Corina2605]

Hola chicas

Thank you for writing down all those wonderful memories I absolutely love reading it!!!!

Bea - I am so glad you were there with us and had your first real player moment Mariano is definitely the best player for such a premiere

Louise - I think you should continue to write, you do it so well

You forgot one Monady part though. We did also see Mariano PLAY tennis on Monday - and that was sooooooo good to see

It was a MAGIC MONDAY!

[Jelena]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!

(This is my comment to his statement. In fact I'm just struggling to not cry because of luck.

I already now know the title of my chat thread in mtf when Mariano plays his first tournament again.

Thank you girls for your diaries...

[Louiselprememberinghowtowrite]

Thank you for all the lovely comments regarding this report so far - I really appreciate them... Thank you....

Ok... here goes.... Part three.... (as per the first 2 parts... please can it stay here - and not be copied anywhere else.... thanks..... Louise).

======

Terrific Tuesday

Another thing I forgot to mention (as well as Mariano was actually playing tennis too on court - sorry I forgot that major important fact... Note to Self.... must try harder.... j/k )

On the way from Magic Monday to the Hard Rock Cafe - the song playing in the Taxi was Mika - Love Today

(Everybody Love Today Love Today Love today
Everybody Love Today - Love love me!! love love ME!!)

That one.... and it was just perfect!!!!

OK.... Terrific Tuesday

We had an appointment at 12 noon on the Practice Courts (Thank You to Monaco for providing your schedule on demand... we appreciate it - thanks -

There were matches on the 3rd Practice Court today - so the Players were practicing in groups of 4 and mixing and swapping around alot. Monaco was hitting with Del Potro - HE is Tall!! - and there was lots of eye candy on court too including a newbie for me Simon Bolelli.. Arnaud Clement was on the other court too so... it was a perfect session and so lovely to see all these players and friends laughing and joking and having a great time together.

It was daytime and the Practice Court Arena was packed, so we really did not expect any Player Interaction today - we decided today would just be observe and enjoy. Del Potro REALLY IS TALL!

There was an area that Players could come out if they wanted to after their sessions, some did, some didn't - it was their choice - and as there were so many people there; we really respect "The Brave Ones"

I think Tuesday definitely proved that Madrid People really love their Stars - and they didn't care that "technically" they weren't there in full action but they embraced the surprise and enjoyed their bonus star.

Of Course - Mariano was a "Brave One" and we all the got the chance for an Official Goodbye, See you Next Year - for which we all thank you for - thank you -

and That was the perfect end of Madrid.....

Yeah right..... it was ONLY 2pm and I still had hours left of my trip..... haha!!!!

Now.... this bit is a bit Paparazzi/Gossipy - SO IT STAYS HERE!! ok?? thanks - but it was also Part of Madrid and a cute memory.

Lucas Arnold Kerr and David Nalbandian were destroying some CZEs - and all of Team Argentina & Friends were watching too... LAK/DN were working hard on court - and Team Argentina were working hard in the stand too - taking pictures of Mariano with Fans..... lots of fans.... each change of ends had a new group of fans... - priceless... take note and learn other players... (end of paparazzi moment).

That was Bonus Track No.1

Sadly it was time to say goodbye to Corina but we all agreed it was a fantastic trip and well well well worth it and more memories will be made together in 2009!

Bonus Track No.2!

5.30 Corina was still here!! - just leaving... but told us to get back to the Practice Courts quickly (thanks Corina!) - Bea and I WERE planning to watch the Calleri Doubles.... we even sat in our chosen seats.... - but hey sorry guys.... priorities!!! - we got back very quickly.

There was a Problem - a BIG Problem that Corina forgot to say in her SMS!!

Some OTHER Guy was hitting with Monaco.... its ok Mariano was also hitting with this Other Guy and generally putting on an excellent show for us all - but the PROBLEM was the other guy was someone called Nadal.......

Nadal.... the little 16 year old that I saw get lost on the way to his first ever match in Hamburg, the same Nadal that tried to hide in Mariano's practice court in Stuttgart after winning RG - Mariano's reaction in Stuttgart? - simple - shout really loudly and all the kids came running!!!! the same Nadal that my child insisted on running over with his buggy in RG 2007 (true!!) - the same Nadal was having a fantastic time on the Practice court with 2 great friends, a great group of coaches - old and new - and didnt seem to care that there were about 100 TV Cameras watching them enjoy life together too....

IT was so great to see that 4 x RGs and 1 x Wimbledon and 1 x No1 Ranking has not changed Nadal at all - and that his place in Team Mariano was still as firm as ever!

This session was priceless - and finished with Mariano interviewing Uncle Toni.... oh I bet the Official TV Crews that were on the edge would have loved to have been in Mariano's shoes... but they weren't - and maybe they could learn from his style... he can interview top people easily... relaxingly and standing on one leg too....

The TV Crews then got their chance and stole all the stars from us... - but it was ok.... and then the time was getting very close to time to go.

IT was time to definitely say goodbye.... Mariano's former coach appeared again at the right moment (I think he has been watching Aladdin - as he had perfect timing....) so goodbyes were said then and messages promised to be relayed.

Time to say goodbye to Bea - this was very hard.... BUT!!!! Paris is JUST round the corner!! (ok under the sea.... but still very close!). We managed it... Corina had dissapeared during the Exhibition - she escaped the Emotional Goodbye.. :*

I had one last final final final check - I saw Bea watching her match - and then saw Lucas Arnold Kerr playing with Mariano...

Madrid ended Perfectly.

===

Ok to sum up.

Madrid was an amazing Tournament
Madrid has an amazing ability to allow wishes and memories to be remade
Madrid will always be special and unique to Corina, Bea and Me.

Madrid will always have MONDAY!

===

Mariano.

By the time you get to this part of this message you would have read all the memories and all comments people have added you will definitely know how people feel about you.

You know I have not let you get away while you have been on your "gap year" - and just to make it perfectly crystal clear to you - the electricity in Madrid when you appeared on Monday night was just so powerful and so amazing - you are unique and special - and - when you are ready - we want you back properly.

Please could you let me know where you will be so we (worldwide We) can be there too....

Thank you for Many Many Madrid Memories...

It was so lovely to see you again....

Best wishes always

Louise, Corina and Bea + All Girls and All the Children and All the People that were so pleased to see you in Madrid (and all the Players!!! lol)

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(or hopefully in Paris....)


--
Disclaimer... this diary is the original work of Louise Lewis-Price, Bea, Corina and Friends - with the help of Mariano Zabaleta of course ...

This Diary and all of the words in it - belongs here - and nowhere else on the internet please - Please respect my wish regarding this - thank you.

if you do have any questions regarding this diary - please do not hesitate to email me at [e-mail] -

thank you and I hope you enjoyed reading this.
---

[Corina2605]

Louise - thanks so much for your report You definitely remembered how to write Reading your report makes me re-live all those magical (Monday) Madrid moments again and again and again And that's just wonderful

I am sorry I forgot to write that Pico's practice partner on Tuesday evening was a "certain" player from Spain It was really hard to leave in the middle of the session and take a last glimpse of the practice court. But I am very glad you could watch it to the end and that you met your favourite coach again, wow

It was just so lovely to read a tournament diary again after such a long time I hope there will be much more next year

Louise, Bea, it was amazing to share those special moments with you I am sure we will talk about them for a very long time and everyone of us will cherish them forever

Also, thanks to Birte, Maria and to the other lovely girls. It was so great to see you all again and to spend some very nice time in this beautifl city together and to enjoy some Sangria:)

Mariano - what can I say? We have been waiting for you to come back to Europe and to see you in person again for such a long time! It felt like years!!! But the long wait was soooo worth it. Thank you for being you and for interacting with us (also through the fence) as only you know how to do it!! Like Louise said, you are special!! We can't wait to see you on the courts again next year! I am sure you know very well that we will always be there to support you

to everyone who made this MADRID 2008 so special!

[Birte]

Chicas, I have just been reading your wonderful diaries and though I am not in the best mood right now (have just returned from Madrid 2 hours ago, guess that explains everything...), your reports made me laugh out loud and put a very big smile on my face ;D

Well, I don´t know where to start really, but I also just want to express how special this Madrid week was also for me! This week will always have a special place in my heart and it has been extra lovely that we were all able to share these lovely memories with eachother!

Corinne, Louise and Bea, I am sooooooooooo happy that I could share these very special moments with you (well, not the most special moment of them all, because the bad tournament director had decided to put Tommys match just at that moment..., but at leat some other special ones...)! I am still sooooooooo happy for you girls and also for me it was just soooooo wonderful to see Mariano back in Europe and this wonderful team around him!
What I really loved to see as well (Louise already wrote it) was how happy all the other players were to see Mariano back on the court You could really, really see how appreciated he is on the tour and how much everybody loves him! I will never forget that big, big bear hug David Ferrer gave Mariano when he saw him, it was just too sweet and I think this picture will stay in my mind forever!

I also would like to share some nice stories of the time when you chicas unfortunately were at home already...On wednesday in the evening Mariano and his team came out to the practice courts again and it was lots of fun to watch them They were playing football on the tennis court for quite a long time. The guys who were taking part were: Mariano, Pico, Agustin, Agustins coach, el Profe and Pablo (sorry, still don´t know his real name). They had so much fun together and it was lovely watching them Of course I took pictures and even filmed a video The mean part was that the team which lost (Mariano, can´t remember the others) had to do some exercises as a punishment afterwards. So Mariano had to do some press-ups.
Mariano was also filming in the beginning and at one point Pablo went up the umpire chair, which Mariano was filming as well, and he (Pablo) made some quite long announcement for the few people who were watching that practice. Unfortunately I didn´t understand anything, cos it was in spanish of course

Also on the thursday evening team Mariano came out quite late to practice. But as we were leaving to Tommys doubles match shortly after, I unfortunately cannot report anything from that practice session

Okay chicas, I think that should it be for now I also want to thank you all again for some wonderful days in Madrid and also for a very special birthday party on the saturday evening
I will never forget that week, it was just soooooooooooooo special and for the last Madrid indoor tournament ever, it couldn´t have been any better!

Love, Birte

[Corina2605]

Oct 18, 2008 16:09:53 GMT @Birte said:

Chicas, I have just been reading your wonderful diaries and though I am not in the best mood right now (have just returned from Madrid 2 hours ago, guess that explains everything...), your reports made me laugh out loud and put a very big smile on my face ;D

Well, I don´t know where to start really, but I also just want to express how special this Madrid week was also for me! This week will always have a special place in my heart and it has been extra lovely that we were all able to share these lovely memories with eachother!

Corinne, Louise and Bea, I am sooooooooooo happy that I could share these very special moments with you (well, not the most special moment of them all, because the bad tournament director had decided to put Tommys match just at that moment..., but at leat some other special ones...)! I am still sooooooooo happy for you girls and also for me it was just soooooo wonderful to see Mariano back in Europe and this wonderful team around him!
What I really loved to see as well (Louise already wrote it) was how happy all the other players were to see Mariano back on the court You could really, really see how appreciated he is on the tour and how much everybody loves him! I will never forget that big, big bear hug David Ferrer gave Mariano when he saw him, it was just too sweet and I think this picture will stay in my mind forever!

I also would like to share some nice stories of the time when you chicas unfortunately were at home already...On wednesday in the evening Mariano and his team came out to the practice courts again and it was lots of fun to watch them They were playing football on the tennis court for quite a long time. The guys who were taking part were: Mariano, Pico, Agustin, Agustins coach, el Profe and Pablo (sorry, still don´t know his real name). They had so much fun together and it was lovely watching them Of course I took pictures and even filmed a video The mean part was that the team which lost (Mariano, can´t remember the others) had to do some exercises as a punishment afterwards. So Mariano had to do some press-ups.
Mariano was also filming in the beginning and at one point Pablo went up the umpire chair, which Mariano was filming as well, and he (Pablo) made some quite long announcement for the few people who were watching that practice. Unfortunately I didn´t understand anything, cos it was in spanish of course

Also on the thursday evening team Mariano came out quite late to practice. But as we were leaving to Tommys doubles match shortly after, I unfortunately cannot report anything from that practice session

Okay chicas, I think that should it be for now I also want to thank you all again for some wonderful days in Madrid and also for a very special birthday party on the saturday evening
I will never forget that week, it was just soooooooooooooo special and for the last Madrid indoor tournament ever, it couldn´t have been any better!

Love, Birte

Birte - welcome home. I know how hard it is, especially for you right now But there will be other tournament trips next year for all of us, I am sure. Somehow it will work out ( even if right now plans can't be made yet)

Thanks so much for your M practice report. I would love to see those pictures and video film, of course I am glad you girls were still there in Madrid to support team Monaco and to share their fun while "working" I know they appreciated it

Talk to you soon, love

[Corina2605]

© ATP
Mariano Zabaleta (currently travelling with Juan Monaco), Juan Martin del Potro and Monaco shared lunch. The three of them started playing tennis at the same club, Independiente de Tandil

Hmmm, looking at M's shirt, could this be a Magic Monday picture?

[reiko]

Awwwwww, seems like I missed a great party. No problem 'cause there always will be another one - maybe as soon as this coming weekend. And a lot more next year, then with another familiar face...

Anyway, thanks to everyone for sharing MMMM (magical Mariano-moments in Madrid).

See you soon - or otherwise next year on a red clay somewhere.

[Corina2605]

Have fun, everyone lucky who is in Paris

Team Monaco is really successful in Paris. Juan won two qualifying matches on the weekend (three sets win over Nico Lapentti) and today he beat Marat Safin in straight sets Such a progress from Madrid (where the coach came one day too late for Juan's match)

Vamos team Monaco!