Hi everyone, I'm Priesty (nothing to do with religion, just a variant on my surname). Thought I'd say hello as I've just joined.
While I'm here - does anyone on here attend tournaments in the country? None of my mates are really bothered about going to tennis tournaments so I'm quite interested in meeting up with people who do. As I'm from the Midlands I tend to go to the Aegon Classic at Edgbaston and the ITFs at Shrewsbury and Nottingham. I know the latter 2 events don't attract the big names but it's still worth going if you're a keen fan.
I go to Bath each year, and may try to get to Barnstaple this year. The Bath event is good as the majority of players are British and it's a good chance to see some of the youngsters too.
Welcome. to the mad house (we must be mad to be so interested in folk hitting small furry balls back and forth over a net!)
I also usually get to the the tournaments you mention and this year, for the very first time, went to Wimbledon.
Despite being full time self employed I follow tennis on the internet most of the day and much of the night sometimes. It's not only the players who feel the season is too long - sometimes I could really do with a break !!!
Did you go to Shrewsbury last week? I went on the Tuesday when Broady beat Barrois in that titanic battle and Keothavong, Watson and Moore also won. Wouldn't have minded going for longer.
I keep thinking to myself I must get along to such as futures, challengers or women's ITFs and never do so. Just occasionally been to bigger events such as Slams and O2, but by all accounts those who haver been to these other events have founf it well worthwhile. Certainly last week's Shrewsbury 75K seemed very worthwhile. I am Edinburgh based so I really at least should get to Edinburgh or Glasgow events or indeed NE England
Coincidentally, a thread has just been started very recently regarding meeting up at events :
Yup, I went Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday !!! That was a bit excessive for me, but I knew I might not get such a chance again so relatively near to home. I think perhaps the Broady Barrois match was the best match I saw there.
Also the great thing about indoor tournaments is that you KNOW you will see some tennis played. Birmingham has been a bit of a nightmare for weather and Nottingham also.