Week 25 - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London (grass)

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Week 25 - ATP 500 - Fever-Tree Championships - The Queen's Club, London (grass)

flamingowings · All-time great

So I'm back home now and can reflect on my visit.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day at Queens and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as "rah rah" as it appears. I spoke with an older gentleman who "had just signed up to the Dan Evans fanclub" and had recently gone to Subiton. If you read the forum, it was nice to meet you. I also had a small conversation with a younger guy who was a Novak fan. I always forget how nice it is to speak with people in real life and not just on a forum. I don't get to do it enough/a lot.

Anyway, I saw the end of Kyle's practice and stood next to his dad for about a minute before he moved down. I also, as previously mentioned said hello to Dimitrov in passing and saw Judy. The queue was well managed and once the gate opened, it was quick to move. I liked their provision of water, they had about 4-5 taps to refill your bottles which I thought was better than at RG - although they had more - they only had 1 or 2 taps at most which was really annoying! I got a bit sunburnt as well

I saw one set of Shapovalov and Muller and knew how it was going to end...in another TB or two, so I left and wandered to the practice courts again where I saw Nick and Andy (on the more private, far away court) as well as Mahut/Herbert and Fabrice Santoro on another. I also saw F Lopez and M Lopez on the practice courts.

In terms of matches, I thought that the Querry/Jay match was the most enjoyable, even though Jay didn't get the win, he was well supported by the crowd and we really got into it. Some of his shots were incredible!

Cam was pretty dire to be honest (unfortunately) and Stan didn't need his best to beat him. Seeing Stan's backhand in person though...wow. It's all experience for Cam and Jay though and plenty players (like Stan himself in fact) are not great on grass. For those players, they must be relieved that it's a short season! Definitely something Cam and his team can work on and I am excited that I saw both of these players now before they are truly established and see how they get on in their careers.

It was definitely worth the money of my ticket and I hope to go again next year and not be so shy if I see someone I "know". I'm just...very British? I guess, I don't want to trouble them and I am really quite shy in these situations (which would amaze all of my workmates, I am quite forward/banter-y at work).

Logistics of my current job, money and location mean it takes quite a lot of planning to go to events unfortunately but hopefully I will add to my experiences of the 02 (several years ago now) plus last year's RG and this year's tournaments.

-- Edited by flamingowings on Wednesday 20th of June 2018 09:44:22 PM

-- Edited by flamingowings on Wednesday 20th of June 2018 09:53:03 PM

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Glad you had a great time FW. If you get to stand next to Kyle's dad again, just say "Hello". Steven is a really approachable person and always willing to chat. I have had the pleasure of meeting him (and Denise) on several occasions and they are really easy to get on with.

flamingowings · All-time great

I will work on it for next time, BiS :) Although, like Judy, he was talking to someone at the time and then he was gone.

Nix · Futures qualifying

Flamingo if you can get there next year, try Surbiton. Its a very friendly venue and you can easily get chatting to people. Obviously you dont get the top fifty players but most of the GB next tier down like Dan, Liam, Jay, KB, Harriet etc and its so small that all the players and their families and entourages are just wandering around or standing watching matches. Its also great value at only twelve pounds and the lunches are much nicer than Wimbledon or Queens!

Jan · Hall of fame

Glad you had a good day flamingowings! Thanks for the first-hand account.

flamingowings · All-time great

Nix wrote:
Flamingo if you can get there next year, try Surbiton. Its a very friendly venue and you can easily get chatting to people. Obviously you dont get the top fifty players but most of the GB next tier down like Dan, Liam, Jay, KB, Harriet etc and its so small that all the players and their families and entourages are just wandering around or standing watching matches. Its also great value at only twelve pounds and the lunches are much nicer than Wimbledon or Queens!

Thanks - I may well do this, if circumstances allow.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Nix wrote:
Flamingo if you can get there next year, try Surbiton. Its a very friendly venue and you can easily get chatting to people. Obviously you dont get the top fifty players but most of the GB next tier down like Dan, Liam, Jay, KB, Harriet etc and its so small that all the players and their families and entourages are just wandering around or standing watching matches. Its also great value at only twelve pounds and the lunches are much nicer than Wimbledon or Queens!

Yes, I agree.

If the weather's good, it's a lovely tournament. The fact that it has both men and women makes it special. (only nine pounds during the week if you buy in advance).

Viewing in the main stand is brilliant (tribunes with seats). Elsewhere it's fine to view but it's more standing (unless you can nab a fold-up chair when someone gets up)

Very friendly. Very close to everyone. Lots of school kids. Good food. TV screens up in the hospitality bit. Ten minutes walk from the train station (15 if you're tired). What's not to like?

flamingowings · All-time great

Coup Droit wrote:
Nix wrote:
Flamingo if you can get there next year, try Surbiton. Its a very friendly venue and you can easily get chatting to people. Obviously you dont get the top fifty players but most of the GB next tier down like Dan, Liam, Jay, KB, Harriet etc and its so small that all the players and their families and entourages are just wandering around or standing watching matches. Its also great value at only twelve pounds and the lunches are much nicer than Wimbledon or Queens!
Yes, I agree.
If the weather's good, it's a lovely tournament. The fact that it has both men and women makes it special. (only nine pounds during the week if you buy in advance).
Viewing in the main stand is brilliant (tribunes with seats). Elsewhere it's fine to view but it's more standing (unless you can nab a fold-up chair when someone gets up)
Very friendly. Very close to everyone. Lots of school kids. Good food. TV screens up in the hospitality bit. Ten minutes walk from the train station (15 if you're tired). What's not to like?

Errr...nothing about the actual tournament, more where I am (Scotland) to getting there I will definitely have a think about it for next year, I'm also pretty keen on going to Madrid (both for tennis and a holiday).