Back in 2010, I had the pleasure of going to Wimbledon with Sabrina when she had balloted two tickets for Centre Court. (Read about my first experience at Wimbledon in 2010 here.)
I have to admit I don't know too much about tennis but I mean this is the prestigious annual event and tickets are hard to come by. In fact quite a few people I know have tried queueing up for it. Doris told me that they queued up for 9h that by the time they got in, they were too tired to enjoy anything. Since I am off work, I really wanted to go and was asking around if anyone's interested to come along, provided we managed to get some tickets. Right at the garden party, Li Ling, a fellow girl from church said she would really like to experience WImbledon and don't mind coming along taking a day off work. And then Alan overheard us and told us we could ballot for tickets online - entirely based on luck though but you know, if we pray about it…
First day we both tried but no luck. Funny as it may sound, we knew that Wednesday would be the hottest day - ever - here in the UK (35deg) and I was half hoping I wouldn't get any tickets on Tuesday for Wednesday. Lo and behold, right when I clicked on it on Tuesday at 9am, the screen said I have been allocated 2 tickets! My heart skipped a beat and calling Li Ling straightaway telling her the news. Of course we couldn't give them up!
So yes, we found ourselves at Wimbledon station, early on Wednesday morning, sweating buckets in the non air-conditioned trains and buses. I think my cheeks were flushed and red with sweat beads rolling down the sides of my face. Not a pretty sight. My clothes were drenched (serious) I felt like jumping into a nice cold swimming pool.
Right when we arrived, the excitement started. We walked around on the grounds looking at the different courts and saw the order of play for the day. Two big names we were to watch at Centre Court - Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams! I'll let the pictures tell the day.
The second game we were supposed to watch didn't happen as one of the players decided not to turn up due to an injury. So they replaced with another match instead. Everyone was looking forward to seeing Serena Williams play in the 3rd match.
Another nice experience at Wimbledon, although more sweaty than desired. We left the place at about 8pm where it was still bright.
On the really stuffy and hot train home (remember: no air con) I was seated beside this lady who looked really faint and I was worried she would faint beside me - what would I do?? Plus the train would be delayed and I couldn't wait to go home to take a cold shower (please don't faint). I asked if she was fine and used a small Wimbledon booklet we received earlier and started fanning her. She thanked me and said she really can't take this heat. Plus she works in a hair salon (think of hot air blowing plus standing all day) in posh Bloomsbury where in the Grade I listed building, they are not allowed to install air conditioning! Geez… she had a bottle of ice water and started drinking and she also started fanning herself. We chatted a bit and she said she did feel better and more calmed down. She thanked me again and said to me before I alighted "you certainly did a good deed today." :)
I have to admit I don't know too much about tennis but I mean this is the prestigious annual event and tickets are hard to come by. In fact quite a few people I know have tried queueing up for it. Doris told me that they queued up for 9h that by the time they got in, they were too tired to enjoy anything. Since I am off work, I really wanted to go and was asking around if anyone's interested to come along, provided we managed to get some tickets. Right at the garden party, Li Ling, a fellow girl from church said she would really like to experience WImbledon and don't mind coming along taking a day off work. And then Alan overheard us and told us we could ballot for tickets online - entirely based on luck though but you know, if we pray about it…
First day we both tried but no luck. Funny as it may sound, we knew that Wednesday would be the hottest day - ever - here in the UK (35deg) and I was half hoping I wouldn't get any tickets on Tuesday for Wednesday. Lo and behold, right when I clicked on it on Tuesday at 9am, the screen said I have been allocated 2 tickets! My heart skipped a beat and calling Li Ling straightaway telling her the news. Of course we couldn't give them up!
So yes, we found ourselves at Wimbledon station, early on Wednesday morning, sweating buckets in the non air-conditioned trains and buses. I think my cheeks were flushed and red with sweat beads rolling down the sides of my face. Not a pretty sight. My clothes were drenched (serious) I felt like jumping into a nice cold swimming pool.
Right when we arrived, the excitement started. We walked around on the grounds looking at the different courts and saw the order of play for the day. Two big names we were to watch at Centre Court - Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams! I'll let the pictures tell the day.
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| Just arrived. Temperates were above 30 deg, the hottest day in the UK in 10 years. Not a cloud in the skies. |
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| HSBC customers get a free bowl of strawberries and cream |
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| The order of play. On a side note, it was impossible to wear long sleeved shirts for that day... |
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| We were armed with sun block lotion, sunglasses and a hat each |
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| Zooming in on the VIP box |
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| Applaude the players for playing in the intense heat |
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| Hats on everyone |
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| The first game started |
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| Djokovic won |
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| We decided to walk around the other courts |
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| And bought ourselves a glass of pimms each |
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| Everything was perfect, even the flowers. Keeping to the colour theme of purple and green |
The second game we were supposed to watch didn't happen as one of the players decided not to turn up due to an injury. So they replaced with another match instead. Everyone was looking forward to seeing Serena Williams play in the 3rd match.
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| Her serve was so powerful |
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| And she won |
Another nice experience at Wimbledon, although more sweaty than desired. We left the place at about 8pm where it was still bright.
On the really stuffy and hot train home (remember: no air con) I was seated beside this lady who looked really faint and I was worried she would faint beside me - what would I do?? Plus the train would be delayed and I couldn't wait to go home to take a cold shower (please don't faint). I asked if she was fine and used a small Wimbledon booklet we received earlier and started fanning her. She thanked me and said she really can't take this heat. Plus she works in a hair salon (think of hot air blowing plus standing all day) in posh Bloomsbury where in the Grade I listed building, they are not allowed to install air conditioning! Geez… she had a bottle of ice water and started drinking and she also started fanning herself. We chatted a bit and she said she did feel better and more calmed down. She thanked me again and said to me before I alighted "you certainly did a good deed today." :)
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