Tennis' Magic of "The Ticket"

I am holding tightly to my magic ticket, waiting in line with thousands of others anticipating where the day will lead us. We have not one, but several goals to achieve today. Each adventure we take will lead us to a new understanding for the game and a different perspective on how the game works.

Those ticket holders around me seem anxious to take in the energy of the event. A sea of smiles everywhere; some of the ticket bearers are running to their designated areas, while others walk casually as though their appointment with destiny can wait.

Not all tickets hold the same magical power, you see. Some tickets allow the holder to enter a world they have only seen on television, a world in which now their heroes are able to hear their cheers. Their delight expressed with each magnificent shot is followed by an audible whisper of awe that may propel their player to win the coveted point.

This ticket brings something extraordinary to its owner.  This magical ticket allows that person to become the type of athlete that they have only dreamed of. 

With each amazing game, the ticket holder becomes more than a spectator at the match. They become transformed into their favorite tennis star.

You can watch their bodies lurch with excitement during an intense rally. With every body blow at the net the ticket holder is volleying their own winner at the opponent. You can see the adrenaline rush in the eyes of each lucky ticket holder as they embrace the effort made by the gladiators on center court.

These ticket holders experience a special celebration of joy and heartache other persons watching on television are not invited to. They feel the weight of a silent crowd as it hears the sound of the ball hurling through the air to be met with a crushing return.

These lucky few become part of the match. Their ticket has given them the ability to transcend time and space to become their favorite tennis icon, even if it is only for the duration of the match.

The next ticket is a fierce sight to behold. This ticket allows its owner to get through to places near or on the court that make the other ticket holders green with envy. This ticket is so special it doesn’t get scanned and placed back into a pocket or bag; no, it has to be displayed by those few who are able to acquire it in all its splendor to be admired and coveted.

This ticket is elusive and precious to be sure. It creates an opportunity for a mere mortal to actually meet with the tennis players in the confines of their kingdom and perhaps become immortalized in a photo along with the likes of Federer, Nadal, Murray, Serena, or Venus.

This extraordinary ticket comes with a price. This price is sometimes equated with money, but it may also represent years of hard work and appreciation for tennis that has brought its owner to the level of respect bestowed upon those who wear this ticket.

Anyone can buy this experience if they choose to pay the going rate, but it is the coaches, the venue staff, and the legions of trainers, physios, and family members who truly wear this honorable ticket with pride. 

They understand the significance of the achievement and struggles it took to earn that coveted ticket. These people have worked in inclement weather, sometimes for little to no pay, often leaving their families for lengthy periods of time to travel with the players to each event.

These grand ticket holders have taken their love of the game and its disciplines to heart and live the experience in and away from the glitz and glamour of a major tournament.

Their golden ticket is more than a way to access better courtside seats or be close to the players; their ticket has taken them on a different adventure, one that only a few are chosen to travel.