Today was the first official day at the tennis center other than the training session, and we got there around 9:30 to meet with our departments. I had a meeting with the media coordinator and his staff to go over the protocol for media during and after the matches, then we were able to watch the opening ceremony.
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Chinese fashion models. Those are tennis players faces on her skirt.
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| Very "Ga Ga." |
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| Wow. |
A children’s choir sang “Flying with Pride”, the theme of the tournament, followed by a pigeon release. A few people screamed as they burst into the air. The “VIP” China Open officials made a grand entrance through the arena following a parade of clowns and Chinese “fashion” models. The Mayor of Beijing and a representative from Mercedes Benz made a speech, and fireworks went off to signify the beginning of the qualifying rounds.
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"VIP" chairman include my friend, Yabin Zhang.
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| Quite a production for the Mayor of Beijing. |
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| The Mercedes Benz area right next to the main stage. |
During the national anthem one of the workers set off the car alarm. Big whoopsie. They made a mad scramble to find that key! Later in the day, Ivan Ljubicic did a press visit here for Mercedes and signed some autographs.
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| The Rolex "booth." |
After the ceremony, the qualifying rounds started as well as meet-and-greet sessions and preliminary interviews. I saw more than a few famous faces on the practice courts and in the Player's Lounge, and got to be there first-hand to help manage the interview process.
Just another day in the life....I jumped into the game pretty quickly but was glad that we had a relatively slow press schedule before the major matches start up. I wore an ear piece and said "TEN FOUR" over a walkie talkie and meant it. Several times.
The things I did and saw today were unreal.
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