Tuesday, August 26
Exhaltation
I was watching a bit of the US Open tennis on TV earlier, and came across it again whilst flicking through the channels just now. Yeah, I know, 2.30am and I'm STILL watching live sport. So far today I've fitted in 2 and a bit football matches, some athletics and some tennis. Oh, and some Super League too. And what have I done fitness-wise? I walked my dog earlier, does that count?
Anyway, the title is because there wasn't actually any tennis being played just now when I turned over. It was instead the start of a ceremony to honour Pete Sampras in light of his recent retirement from the game. It was really well done, and you could see him getting pretty choked as he spoke at the end. The ceremony wasn't low-key, being on the main court at Flushing Meadows (teehee), and with a red carpet and all that lot, but it was subtle and fairly restrained when compared to a lot of similar events.
I always find that these sort of events, especially in America, are over the top and detract from the main purpose. It's nothing personal against Americans, it's just the way you are. It's all with the best intentions, but it always a little too extroverted. This one was perfect. A couple of little speeches from his coach, Boris Becker and John McEnroe, an unveiling and reading of a plaque, and finished with Pete saying a few words. Nothing too grand, nothing too flashy (no fireworks...), just a simple ceremony to honour a great tennis player. Well done the ATP and the organisers at the US Open.
