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Lauren
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2000 ADIDAS INTERNATIONAL
It was an experience of a lifetime, seeing Lletyon in Sydney at the 2000 Adidas
International. It was my very
first tournament and being a Lleyton fan for what seems like forever it was truly amazing,
I couldn't
believe I was actually there.
Monday 10th January, my dad and I travelled down to Gosford where we stayed and caught the
train out to
Homebush Bay each day.
Tuesday 11th January, with butterflies in my stomach, we headed off for what was a
great but wet day. Lleyton
was due to play on Centre Court the second match of the day, so while waiting for that to
start we had a look
around and a quick look at a couple of matches. Seated in row 4 in Centre Court I waited
for the
announcement of lleyton to arrive on court, my heart was racing (yeah I know it sounds
dumb know) then I
heard it, "Lleyton Hewitt of Australia", the crowd went crazy, girls screaming
and chanting "LETS GO
LLEYTON, LETS GO".
As I watched them hitting up I took a few photos, then the match started but was soon
stopped due to rain,
which held off the game for about an hour. Then the sun came out, and the crowd was wilder
than ever, yelling
for Lleyton to come back out, also the Mexican Wave went around the stadium more times
then I could
remember. Lleyton also postponed the game for a minute or so for a change of shoes due to
a broken one he
was wearing, which was pretty funny at the time.
The match went on, it was awesome, then he did it lleyton wins 6-something, 6-something,
6-something.
About 7:00pm we caught the train back to the Hotel, tired and ready for bed I was, but it
was all worth it
after a great day, and I got to do it all again the next day.
Wednesday 12th January, I arrived at the Tennis Centre not knowing if lleyton was
scheduled to play, I checked
the board only to find out he was playing not only once but twice with a doubles match in
the afternoon.
I was so happy, seeing Lleyton three times in two days was more than I expected.
Anna Kournikova, was on Centre Court first followed by the wonderful Lleyton.
I watched most of her match
while waiting for lleyton.
I took most of the photos during this match of Lleytons, saving a couple for the doubles
later on.
Lleyton's trademark "COME ON", came out of him a couple of times but nowhere
near as much as
usual. He did get angry at himself at one stage, when he returned a shot that didn't make
it over the net,
he commented on himself yelling out sarcastically "GOOD RETURNING MATE".
But Lleyton still came out on top, winning his second match.
Around 4:30-5:00pm, Lleyton and Sandon hit Court 1 for their doubles match.
The stands were full, I only just managed to get a seat, until over a loud speaker an
announcement was made
that Anna Kournikova was about to walk onto Centre Court, everyone (mainly guys) rushed
out to Centre
Court, leaving many empty seats on Court 1.
The match went on, I don't know what Lleyton or the rest of the players must have been
thinking when
they saw all those people leaving. That didn't bother Lleyton and Sandon though,
when around 7:00pm
after 4 sets, it was game-set-match to the Australians, not only for them but for me to,
it was time to leave, as
we had a early start in the morning and a long drive home.
As far as I can say 2000 for me started off great with this experience coming true, I also
picked up a couple of
posters of Lleyton, sadly they weren't signed as I couldn't get his autograph, but it was
just great
seeing him playing live, instead of on TV. I just wish I could have still been there
for the final!
Anyway that was it, the most amazing 2 days of my life; hopefully I can get to
another tournament some day,
maybe even a Davis Cup tie, to experience something truly great.
Words cannot describe want that trip meant to me, it was truly a DREAM COME TRUE!: o)
Catherine
See Catherine's pics
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