Bas' Blog: The Big Week

So the competition is finally over, and what a week it was.

Ill start off with the daily routine. A 6:30 wakeup, to make my shower slot, then hop into the car at 8 to go to the stadium. We'd be the first ones there so I would have to open up all the exits and rooms and start up any machines. For example the player recreation room, i would have to plug in all the electronics, music equipment etc. And put the TV on the stadium's own channel which produces a live feed from the cameras.
But yes, this player recreation room was my responsibility. Its basically the room where the players and coaches go to to relax and just have some fun. So what i did was install a piano and drum kit, and a formula 1 game on an HD TV.

So yes this was my masterpiece, and i'm pretty proud of it.

As the week went on i got to chat with some of the big guns, and found out, all the tennis players are actually down to earth guys, especially the doubles players. One of the jobs i was allowed to do included helping with the player walkthroughs. This is where we get a singles player or doubles team and bring them to various vip boxes and hospitality areas (skyboxes) to let them do some pictures and signings for the sponsors.
And you would think the people would be a bit more civilized than your ordinary tennis fan. But no, these people would just swamp the players, crowing around, pulling their hands to sign a person's cap and all the rest. We quickly learnt from this and made sure there were stanchions (posts with ropes) to create a barrier and stop the fans from crowding around and making the player feel uncomfortable.

Another one of my jobs was to coordinate the music in the public tent. This included making sure the bands played on time, and stopped on time (not playing during a match). I had ensure they got their lunch vouchers, helped them with any problems, and made sure they were transported to and from. And had to have their passes ready for them before they arrived (otherwise they wouldn't get in of course)

I was also put in charge of the internet room. This was a stylish room designed by a furniture company called Haworth. It was a sort of retreat room for the players, where they would be able to relax on comfortable sofas, but also be able to access the internet, either by the 5 computers provided, or make use of the wireless that was provided. I had to make sure the room was set up in the mornings, see if there was any rubbish, always have a stock of fresh fruit for the players and fresh juices. I also decided to be a sort of bartender as the drinks fridge was sort of hidden away in a corner of the room which i thought players couldnt really see. So i decided every time i walked in there and saw someone i would offer them a drink.
So one day one of the players was in there, and i offered a drink (as ususal) (i would normally expect an answer such as a coke, or a bottle of water). But no, they wanted a double espresso macchiato, which really made me feel like a waiter. So i had to travel to the Hilton hospitality and hope that they could give me one...luckily they did so that was all fine.

I also was allowed to join in on all the press conferences that the players would give after their match. This was what really interested me (as im a mediahead). But also it was interesting to hear what the players would say about their performance, and how self critical they can be. I then had to escort the players back to the player area (normally with the big man Jay www.l2uj.blogspot.com, sometimes alone) without them getting hassled for pictures and autographs.

Just before the event started i had to make sure the correct flags and posters were up around the stadium. This was quite annoying as we had changed by the day sometimes, of players dropping out, and new ones joining in (for example, Nadal, and the Israeli doubles team). So i would have to keep updating a flags document and sending it to the person who would put the correct flags up.

Charles also gave me a tour of the media area. This was the area where all the video and commentary gets sent to the different stations around the world for broadcasting. It was cool to see just how much equipment they need, but also how they transport it. Such as one of the broadcasters had a whole bus as a studio. And not any old TV studio, a state of the art, fully equipped, HD TV studio, that sent out live footage straight to the broadcaster (but i couldn't take pictures, sorry).

During the event i also had to to numerous of other small jobs such as buying a football for Djokovic, and bringing a massage table to the practice courts for another tennis player.

The normal day would be long, but also dependant on the day's matches, as the sooner the last match would finish, the sooner we would be able to leave. But the normal leaving time would be around 12:00.

Gangsta Deni

Leo and Judith in the office

On the Thursday night, the (then was, not anymore) number 1 doubles team, the Bryan Brothers decided to play a little gig with the boss' band, Studio 188. And we were allowed backstage, giving me prime picture time.

One of the Bryan brothers with one of the players from another doubles team, Andre Sa

Yep, they don't just play one instrument

Lots of fans eagerly waiting to see their beloved doubles team.

One definite highlight of this week was when i had to jam with these two guys just before this concert as they had to practice some of the songs together.

Apart from working, I also got to see some of the matches, as close as anyone can, right at court level.

Just check out the background, in the exit wings...you'll spot me with the long hair, and the black suit.

This match was truly one of the best tennis matches i've seen. Both players giving their all to win. And even though it was only a best of 3 match, it lasted for more than 3 hours. And the crowd were extatic, as Federer is the number 1 guy in China.