NEW YORK, NY, USA - Multiple Grand Slam champion and former No.1 Liezel Huber began her blog the week before the US Open and now continues to write to us from the last Grand Slam of the year. Read on!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Hey everyone!
We have a dilemma in this house... The completed puzzle is getting in our way! My dad does not want to break it up... We can't sit comfortable at our dining room table, as the puzzle is occupying half of it. We brought another table into the living room and that is where the completed puzzle got relocated to... Then the next thought I had is, where will we be building the new puzzles? Yes, I bought two more today and my friend just walked in the door with a puzzle under her arm! All this and we are here to play tennis... and hopefully we will have minimum time for 'puzzling'!!!
It's been a very relaxing day... besides having to wake up a little early. We had our car booked at 6:45am and our court at 7:30am! Lisa and I played sets against Jans/Rosolska. They're very talented and a great doubles team. It was a lot of fun and productive. I just found out that we are on tomorrow's schedule! We play fourth match on Court 4 against two fellow Americans, Spears and Kops-Jones. There is nothing like competing in a Grand Slam. It is very special and lots of nerves during the first match! There's a lot at stake, a beautiful trophy and a huge paycheck is on the line! All very exciting!!!
We came back to the apartment early afternoon and have been watching the US Open from the comfort of the couch! I am watching the TV, I have live streaming and live scores, all at once! There has been a few upsets on the women's side... A high day for some and a low day for others. That is sports. Enjoy the good times and learn from the tough times. That's my motto anyways :-)
My dad is cooking dinner tonight. My mom and sister set the table. Everyone is in good spirits, because they are coming to the tennis tomorrow. I could be wrong... they may be in a good mood because my dad is roasting chicken, potatoes and vegetables!
What I was thinking of yesterday while riding over to the courts, was how our 'timeline'/events/ happenings/memories (whatever you want to call it, I can't think of the exact word) etc. are measured by tournaments. Once I will give you an example, you will understand what I mean... So, here we go... When I think of Eastbourne, I think of: that's when I got my dog Sam. When I think of New Haven, that's the week I have my birthday. You get it? As a tennis player my year goes by tournaments and not dates on the calender. I guess it seems like it's the same thing to you, but when I think back of something that's occurred I can usually place it by the tournament I was at. I thought you may enjoy it if I went through a list of tournaments and what thought pops up in my mind when I mention the tournament...
Auckland - my sister's first surgery in New York. (I stayed up all night with the time change)
Sydney - Nando's Peri-Peri chicken. (I order WAY too much!)
Aus Open - My husband's birthday. (I buy all his casual clothes for the year for him there at Rod & Gunn)
Paris - I hate the Winter! (Never have enough warm clothes)
Dubai - Our anniversary (!!!)
Indian Wells - The best family reunion we ever had. (We make a vacation of this tournament, as the results have always been poor)
Miami - A few years apart, two grandfathers passed away. (Very tough)
Charleston - I loved the days we brought our motor-home and parked it on-site. It feels like home. (Thanks Eleanor for letting us have a prime parking spot!)
Rome - Please don't gain too much weight from the pizza, pasta and mozzarella. (I always do)
Madrid - The blue clay court (so awesome)
Birmingham - Nando's, movies and rain! (and lots of grass court and indoor practice)
Eastbourne - My brother's birthday and fish & chips at our favorite spot. (I also miss my dog, Sam)
Wimbledon - The atmosphere. (No words can explain it)
Stanford - Yes, we are back in the US of A!
San Diego - Best venue. (Feel so spoiled)
Toronto - My dog (then a puppy) peeing on the hotel bed. (My husband was not impressed)
US Open - My father-in-law passing away. (One of the most difficult times ever)
Tokyo - Extremely organized. (In every aspect)
Beijing - The silk shopping markets and one week before we go home. (My husband bargains pretty well)
Moscow - Don't like the airport and immigration, but do like the pancakes. (The end of the season is in sight)
I guess my point being here is that I think of my weeks in reference to the tournament schedule and the event/memory of that week. Now I am here competing at the US Open and doing puzzles... that doesn't make sense. I told you last night that when we stay with Julianne and David in Melbourne for Australian Open, we do puzzles after dinner for relaxation. I am not in Melbourne, but in New York! My parents usually come to the French Open and Wimbledon, but they are here during the US Open, so that too is a bit unusual. My friend from Paris arrives tomorrow and I usually only get to see her during the European swing, so that adds another twist. Wow and then my twin sister and I celebrated our birthdays together, which hasn't happened since we turned 15! Gosh, all these memories being made are extra special!
And I don't usually blog during a Grand Slam...
xoxoxo
Liezel
