Super Sunday at Wimbledon

The Sunday before Wimbledon has never meant anything for me. My day was pretty well planned out with seeing my old coach at Wimbledon and then watching England play Italy. Despite what England did, (I wont repeat it again), my old coach managed to get me a player's pass for the whole championships. This player's pass allowed me to go anywhere so join me on my tour behind the greatest tennis tournament in the world.

Rolling like a Big Shot

Sunday's day turned from a simple lunch to living up with some big shots. As well as brushing past Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer; I managed to have a little conversation with Patrick Rafter. Being inside the player's bit at the practise courts allowed me to really see how players warm-up and prepare. Most players were loosening up for the next, however Nadal was perfecting his grass-court game for three hours against Feliciano Lopez and Kevin Anderson. It was amazing to see him be so focused on meticulous about everything compared to Djokovic and Murray who were more relaxed. The difference between the top players and how they prepare has always been intriguing. What was then even funnier was the player's eatery. I grabbed some pasta which I got to design myself. Robin Haase actually asked for the same thing which was put a little pride into my lunch-choosing ability. I walked past a table of Janko Tipsarevic, Milos Raonic and Jarkko Niemenen where 'Tipsy' was ripping Niemenen apart for being Finish. It was just a bit of banter but great to see. My day ended with a great conversation on the balcony in regards to performance coaching from my old coach, who coaches Jamie Lee Hampton among others.

Tuesday: Time for the Test

With my player's pass on my chest and some blue tape all over my left shoulder (damaged cartilage a few weeks ago); I was ready to brace the crowds of SW 19.

Tuesday boded some good matches on the order of play. I managed to sit and watch Jesse Levine on an outside court. He managed to beat Karol Beck in four sets. There is something about watching two people on the outside courts battle it out for money and ranking points that really gives out the grand slam spirit. It is all good watching Nadal win in straight sets but the hard work, sweat and tears are always found on the outside courts. Great to watch. After that match, I decided to grab some lunch and go to the practise courts. I was treated at the practise courts with Murray warming up with Jamie Baker, David Ferrer, Gasquet and Tsonga hitting. The two hour stint I spent there was capped off by watching Novak Djokovic and Giles Simon play some practise points. From there I went on a little British hunt. Watching the Brits almost make it at Wimbledon seems to be a tradition. However, Johanna Konta showed great fight to push Christina McHale deep into the third set before only just losing. I then moved on to Court 14 to see James Ward. Ward was having a topsy turvy match. After losing the first set to Pablo Andujar, he won the second 6-0, lost the third and claimed the fourth 6-3. The final set started badly as he lost his serve early but claimed a break back before showing some good self-belief and managed to win. He will be rewarded with a match against Mardy Fish on Thursday. What started out as a great day ended in rain, of course. However, it was great to see everything and hang around some top players. Amazing to see how well they cope with losing, I have to strangely admit that. All photos were taken by myself. To keep hear any more comments from myself, follow me at twitter

Robson and Watson fly British Flag in Eastbourne

Eastbourne, SUSSEX- The AEGON International Open in Eastbourne has seen some big seeds fall and yet the Brits fly high.

Contenders Curse!

The day started with top seed, Agnieszka Radwanska, losing 6-2, 6-4 to the talented Bulgarian, Tsvetlana Radwanska. Petra Kvitova followed suit as she was also beaten very comfortably in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, by fellow left hander, Ekaterine Makarova. Next up saw Carolina Wozniacki take on the American Christine Mchale. The Dane had a dreadful start as she only managed to claim one game and lost the first 6-1 in only 35 minutes. Despite squandering a break of serve lead and then a 6-2 lead in the second set tiebreak, she managed to close the breaker 9-7. Mchale did not seemed phased though and broke early to claim a great win.

Brits show Composure

It then looked towards the British interest and with both Laura Robson and Heather Watson in action, we were all licking our lips at the opportunity to watch them both on court 2. Robson was up first. After doing a great job of qualifying, she came up against 49th-ranked, Maria Jose Martinez-Sanchez. The Spaniard had a very interesting style of game and quickly established her tactics of coming forward and slicing her forehand. Sanchez's experience claimed her the first set as Robson became frustrated and made too many errors. However, a quick turn around in the second saw Robson, "keep her at the back." This allowed the Brits' power ground shows to dominate. She claimed the second set 6-2 and up 4-1 Sanchez called on her coach but there was nothing she could do to stop Robson. She wrapped up the match with a 6-2 effort and left the court with a big smile. Heather Watson managed to claim a wildcard for the event and she meets Greta Ann, a Hungarian qualifier, in the first round. Watson managed to claim a break in both sets and eased to victory 6-4, 6-4.

Querrey retires Early

The pick of the first round Men's matches has to have been Roddick and Querrey's match up. Both men had different pathes at Queens with Roddick's early exit while Querrey went to the semis. The match begun very slowly for Querrey. The much expected upset did not even have time to appear as Querrey retired at 5-2 down due to back issues. Roddick, who is craving match practice just before Wimbledon, quickly made his way to the practice court afterwards to help him. He will play Jeremy Chardy next. In other news, Kohlschreiber, Istomin, Darcis and Lu all progressed.