Thought of the Day: A look From Inside the Sony Ericsson Open!

I have been getting hourly updates from friends in Key Biscayne this weekend. Let me relay some of their observations.

There was a Rafael Nadal sighting. According to two friends, Rafa is the modern equivalent to The Beatles. He shows up and is mobbed by hundreds.

In years past, I have been at the tournament and been able to get near Rafa. According to my friends this year it is next to impossible. They are likening his practice sessions to normal crowd sizes on the smaller courts.

My father, who is in attendance this year, has been following Roger Federer. He says the crowds near Roger are very large, but echoes the other reports about Nadal. His reaction has been interesting; he likened Rafa to a modern day Bjorn Borg. The fans love him and mob him.

Back to Roger, my father reports that Roger is artwork in motion. His practices look so unorthodox, but are so unbelievable to watch. He reports that the angles Roger hits in practice are unreal.

I have just received an Andy Murray report. Andy walks through the crowds pretty unassuming. Earlier in the day, my father thought he saw Andy, turned out to be brother Jaime. Not sure if they have since patched up their relationship, due to the fall out that occurred over Davis Cup participation.

Just hearing about all the perks these tennis players get makes me wish I could pick up a racquet and join the ATP. All the players get a tournament car, which just happens to be a Mercedes. I am sure that Rafa and Roger are getting some real nice perks due to their affiliation with IMG, who happens to be hosting the tournament.

The Isner/Ferrer match has been a real treat. Both players are tied at a set apiece, Ferrer does seem to be pulling away as Isner has made a few loose shots and allowed his serve to be broken.

Ferrer is an interesting story, has not been playing well as of late, but still a warrior. Ferrer seems to have this one locked up.

We have Andy Murray and Rafa making their tournament debuts today. Andy has drawn the once promising Juan Monaco and Rafa has drawn the unknown Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili. Should be relatively easy matches for both.

Just a thought, Miami is where Nadal really burst on the scene. In 2004 he defeated Federer in straight sets and then losing in the final to Federer the following year, maybe we will see the next Rafa emerge from this unofficial fifth Slam.

Well, that’s all for now. Cheers.