There is No Subsitution For Watching Your Favorite Sport Live

The view from my hotel room could not compete with that of my seat in the Loge area or the grounds of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. 

My views of this journey began five months earlier when I selected and paid for my tickets to the 2009 PNB Paribas Open.  I spent months day dreaming about which tennis stars would be in attendance and which would autograph the many objects of tennis memorabilia that I planned on taking with me. 

As life happens, something’s just didn't materialize they way I had envisioned them, something’s, but happily not everything!  I got sick just before the event and so my experience in Palm Springs was spent at the venue some of the time and stuck in my hotel room the rest of it.

All the major players, minus a few early round departures, were in their magnificent form strolling between practice courts and the outside stadiums that would provide them with a cheering section to help them vanquish their opponents.  The tennis garden never looked lovelier.

I was busy looking out towards the grassy area where many players were involved in a pick up game of soccer (very big in tennis!).  Who should walk right up behind me but El Rey himself, Rafael Nadal. 

Turning around at the request of my husband, there was Rafa standing right next to me.  I can tell you my heart was beating faster than the revolutions of his well hit tennis balls.  He was so very polite and signed my Spanish flag. 

As a fan, most of you can imagine how much positive energy these encounters have on your outlook of the game as well as that amazing moment when you come face to face with a human version of your favorite athlete.

I wish that every sports fan could have a positive "moment" with that special athlete, those athletes that make them scream at their TV's cheering them on to victory.

During my few days at the event I saw and obtained many autographs from players and personalities.  Darren Cahill was there coaching Verdasco, he, as well as Fernando,  graciously signed my memorabilia.

Nick Bolletieri and Bud Collins told some wonderful stories to those lucky enough to have had the good fortune to spend a few minutes with these legends.

David Nalbandian is much larger and more personable than the camera portrays him.  Tsonga was there wearing a stocking cap and unfortunately ignoring the fans who asked for his autograph (poor form Jo-Willy). The Spanish players Lopez, Ferrer, and Robredo were having a great time signing away and playing fabulous tennis.

For the Nole fans, there was plenty of Novak to go around. DJ was in good form off the court and greeting the people who came across his path with genuine appreciation for their attentions.  Unlike Tsonga, Gasquet, Simon, and Monfils were happy to sign and talk with the kids and adults who were clamoring for a quick acknowledgment from their French tennis idols.

Some of the tennis elite were less willing to rub elbows with the masses.  Unfortunately Andy Roddick and Andy Murray were always carted back and forth on golf carts and could only manage a blank stare at their fans as they quickly drove past. Perhaps their game focus was too great to realize what they were missing off the courts.

James Blake and Roger Federer were stellar ambassadors for tennis again this year.  The staff at the event was up to the task and made the players and attendee’s comfortable.

The WTA was well represented by top players and some wonderful surprises too.  The Russian players were very happy to say hello to the crowds even when the language barrier was sometimes evident, they were true professionals who saw the opportunity to give back to the fans who were so happy to seem them. 

The young American WTA players were having a great time and seemed calm amid the large number of fans that crowded around them.

My next view came from, of all things, my laptop.  Here in the U.S., the tennis coverage is not as it ought to be.  FSN had the TV rights this year and chose to show very limited coverage. Unfortunately if you missed those few hours of coverage you missed the match (and I do mean single match) of their televised day. 

The network was unfortunate in their choice of which matches to show, they completely missed the late night match of the fort night, showcasing Nadal and Nalbandian.  I would say check out the taped replay, but they did not make one! Tennis Channel has no competition when it comes to covering tennis in the U.S.

Now stuck in bed at the hotel with no view of tennis in sight, I remembered my wonderful laptop. 

I simply opened up the ATP World Tour web page and went to their live coverage of the Open.  The price of this video stream is not more than a good ticket at the real event and that price gives you the ability to view any of the ATP/WTA matches for the entire year!

Watching from your hotel room is not the best way to get your money worth from your ticket, but it beats watching a blank TV screen. Many thanks to those wonderful men and women at the webcast office for caring about those fans who suffer from lack of coverage of their favorite sports!

Nadal’s final was a master’s class in how to play in the wind and still come up with the goods! Miss Zvonareva was able to guide her shots through the turbulence more often than Ana, but both ladies gave it their best shots. 

Until tickets go on sale again next fall, I will just have to hold onto my views and the happy memories of my time at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.