*Indian Wells Coverage*
Our top writers are on the scene at the BNP Paribas Open, giving insight to the players, interesting matches, and even the food there! There’s about another week and a half to go, so don’t miss out on all the buzz.
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Roger Federer held his first press conference this afternoon at the BNP Paribas Open after flying in from New York where he had played an exhibition against Andy Roddick at Madison Square Garden. Roger talked about his busy scheduling leading up to the BNP Paribas tournament:
“I didn’t expect myself to win Dubai to be quite honest with you because I had a lot on my plate, you know, through Davis Cup and Rotterdam… Early rounds (of Dubai) you play against guys ranked within the top 20 and the tournament can be over very quickly. So the first couple rounds were big for me… I played a great semis and a great final, and ended up playing really well in difficult conditions. I actually came out feeling better at the end of Dubai than I did at the end of Rotterdam.” [READ MORE].
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Okay, the men’s singles draw came out yesterday and the women have actually already started their main draw matches today. 96 players in each field. How do you make sense of it?
Well, the seeded players, 32 in each draw, all got first round byes so none of them will play until the second day of their respective tournaments. It’s an 11 or 12 day tournament and not enough days to give the players a full day’s rest between matches with a 128 draw. But it is only 2 out of 3 sets with tie-breakers in all sets so there is not much chance of any 4 or 5 hour matches; however, the way the schedule works out one of the men’s finalists will come into the final playing Friday and Saturday before that Sunday final. [READ MORE].
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“Coach, I have a favor to ask.”
“ Yes?”
Dawn caresses the Pacific horizon. An orange light ascends into a cerulean sky. Above the sands, faint sounds of waking seagulls repeat. I am standing mid-tennis court, 350-count ball basket situated off my left hip, its rusted metal legs suffering beneath the morning mist, its wobbly wheels fighting for supremacy. As I have done for twenty years, I clasp a triad of yellow Penn 3’s, my calloused hands now numb to their tightly woven felt, and gently release one into the air. I feel my racket move upward, connecting easily, sending the ball into the morning
mist. [READ MORE].
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By: Nathan M. Cuny
There are many surprises here at the BNP Paribas Open, in Indian Wells. Of the surprises one particularly tickled my palate—Lunch. Walking to and fro, from the media room located on the second level of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, I spotted several people down below with tall white hats, and chef’s coats. I began thinking about buffet food, and the distinct mass produced flavor it has, and almost lost my appetite.
Eventually my stomach led me to the dining area, where both media and players alike get a bite to eat. [READ MORE].
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