Day 8: Walking with Purpose

Watching Isner about to beat Yang at Lotus.

ATP and WTA play is in full force, with the men in the first round as the women enter the second.  Several big players and returning champions were out yesterday in the first round, including last year’s winner Svetlana Kuznetsova.

It’s another completely gorgeous day, and Isner’s up first against T.H. Yang in one of the first matches of the day on Lotus Court.  After our meeting with the ATP/WTA officers to confirm our requests, we snuck out to Lotus to watch a few sets.

Getting ready for Yang's serve.

Nailed it.

 Where do I send my resume for the Umbrella Holder position?

The tension is rising among some of the top contenders, but mostly everyone has been very patient with press even after a loss. I’m officially hooked on tennis, if I wasn’t before—now that I’m getting to know each player I’m taking every match so seriously! I feel like I’m the one out there.

Prepping for the day! Once the matches start there's no time for second guessing.

I was worried about the volume of media requests we had coming in yesterday, but everything went pretty smoothly, and before I knew it we were down to the last match between Kirilenko and Dulko! Things get crazy at times and I need to know that our schedule is tight and the media is prepped and ready when the players get off the court. 

 All of the multi-tasking I did as business manager/student/intern last semester paid off--I'm used to doing a million things at once for extended amounts of time! I think I've easily made over 500 phone calls in the past few days. I love working with media and I'm learning a lot from watching the officers prep the players for each interview.


 Some are definitely more skilled than others at handling tricky or private questions. There was even a "rookie" that came with us for Vera Zvonereva's press (who is a pro) so that she could learn how to handle everything. 

At the CCTV flash interview backdrop waiting to get a player from the tunnel off Lotus.

The other girl I work with also ran a half-marathon--and we were joking that we are using our endurance training for this job--I can count on one hand the amount of times I sat down over the whole 12+ hours were we there!  We had to stretch when we got home from all of the running around we do--we basically circle the entire stadium continuously locating media and walking players to press.




 No complaints from me!!!

Day 7: Be Cool.

Today we jumped right into the action after a quick press meeting. We arranged press schedules for every WTA match today and handled media requests as they came through and changed during matches.

View of Lotus Stadium from the player's practice courts. 

Time seemed to fly—we were literally handling all media from flash interviews right out of Lotus stadium, to press conferences and one on one sessions.  After each  match I confirm the press times with the player and their tour reps, then when it’s time I escort the player and officers to the correct venues.

We do six different types of media interviews, and it is amazing to be in the studio for meetings with the top tennis players in the world.

Sitting at the press conference desk a few days ago! Couldn't resist. 

Today in the player’s area we saw many of the ATP players preparing for their first matches. John Isner, the wild card for the men’s draw, was there along with Djokovic and Soderling.  Isner walked up to the officer I was talking to and gave him a high five on his way to the practice courts. I think I came up to his waist. But he looked at me.

Isner getting serious. 

We really got a feel for the personal side of these tours— especially from a media relations standpoint. It was tense walking players who lost, especially for past champions like Svetlana Kuznetsova, who was beat out by a qualifier today in the first rounds. 

Svetlana won the China Open in 2009 and 2006, but is out today. 

At the end of the day Daniela Hantuchova, who in person looks like an impossibly beautiful model,  lost to Hercog, and even though she must have been very upset she was a good sport about fulfilling all of the media requests.  I felt her pain as I dragged her to her CCTV interview and they asked her to "Say Bye Bye to Beijing." 

Na Li is a huge celebrity in China--and is adorable in person!

The Chinese media were most excited for their press conference with Chinese “superstar” Li Na.  Other than Sharapova, her press conference was much looked forward to by the local media, who were so excited to see her after her win. We had to keep cutting the questions short or they would have kept her all night!

In all we left about 10:30 pm with some great memories of the first day. I can't even begin to describe how cool it was to hang out with the players. They are normal people and it was awesome to be able to help them get through press after matches--I made Kirilenko take my kleenax to her press conference.  I loved seeing how press and media work with sporting events, especially since I get to be right in there communicating with both sides. 

Things are going to be even more hectic tomorrow--can't wait!

Day 6: WTA First rounds, Murray press, Jankovic

Media Center A at the tennis center-- our home base.

We arrived at the tennis center and picked up the schedule for the first day of women’s rounds.  Our schedule for ATP press was hectic due to problems with our credentials, but we were able to make things work. Men's play starts tomorrow, but Andy Murray had interviews and an initial press conference this afternoon.

Andy Murray's initial press conference.

After Murray we watched Jankovic's win over Zakopalova.  It was getting incredibly windy but she won straight through in three sets.  Immediately afterward she did a press conference after her flash interview. She looked great in person, and she really perked up whenever a reporter would ask a question in English. 

Jelana Jenkovic has it in the bag. 

A lot of people are off because of the national holiday, so it was fun to walk around and people watch in between press. We saw a mom take off her baby’s pants so he could go to the bathroom—on the corner of the ROLEX booth!  No one seemed to care!

By the tennis ball China Bank ATM outside of Lotus.

On the way to lunch we saw Ljubicic and some other players on the practice courts. Pretty insane to be so close. Their muscles are incredible! 

Ivan Ljubicic warming up on the practice court. 

Daniela Hantuchova on the practice courts--to face Hercog tomorrow.

The weather caused a delay for a few matches, but we were able to get out of the tennis center around 7:00pm after our work was finished, and we headed out to meet up with a friend I knew in Beijing.  We decided to get dinner and a few drinks in an area called Sanlitun. 

"Look for the Rubik's cube building" Hotel G

Lobby outside of Scarlett Wine Bar--love these paintings.

We showed our cab driver the characters and off we went to Scarlett Wine Bar & Restaurant in Hotel G.  The atmosphere was very cool, and the menu was in English. I had a goat cheese vegetable tartine that was amazing. It was refreshing to have something familiar, and the scene was cool, very international. On the way home our cab driver randomly surprised us in English: " America? Freedom. Democracy?  Yes."  

 Tomorrow men's play begins--things are really going to  pick up.

Day 5: Opening Ceremony, Models, Press Structure

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.

Chinese fashion models. Those are tennis players faces on her skirt.

Very "Ga Ga."

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. 

"VIP" chairman include my friend, Yabin Zhang.

Quite a production for the Mayor of Beijing.

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.

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. 

At the CCTV interview with Maria Kirilenko

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. 

Day 4: Pearl Market, Forbidden City, Bird's Nest, Watercube,

Sunset at the Forbidden City

We were determined to get to the Forbidden City, the imperial palace in the heart of Beijing. We made it even though it was especially crowded because people are gathering for the national holiday tomorrow! The palace was amazing to see in person. 

Chinese guards shooting some hoops. 

To the right of the courtyard guards were playing basketball, shining shoes, and playing pool.  There were people every few feet selling all different types of goods from tiny carts.

"Hello! Look-a. Look-a, Hello!"

The inside of the Forbidden city was closed when we got there, but the park was jam packed with people rushing around in every direction. The government is preparing for the national holiday, when thousands of people come to Beijing. 

Huge crowds in Beijing for the national holiday. 

Imagine this in a subway version.

We braved the subway at rush hour, which was an experience in itself.  It seemed impossible to fit another body on the subway car we one as we headed over to the Olympic stadiums to see the Water Cube and the Bird’s Nest. The sky was more hazy today than it had been in our first few days, but it was still very cool to see the Olympic sights. 

The lights were amazing at the Water Cube.

The Bird's Nest.

The dinner scene at Hou Hai was out of a dream. We sat on a lantern-lit deck by the lake where little boats were tied together next to what looked like lily pads. The lanterns reflecting on the water were absolutely gorgeous. 

My camera can't possibly do it justice. 

Lanterns surrounding our table.  

Would have taken a picture of our meal if it wasn't so delicious that I forgot to! We ordered jasmine tea with our noodles and other dishes. I'm finally getting the hang of ordering (and using the chopsticks).

So happy here.

Day 3: Great Wall, Secret lunch, Tianamen Square, Hutong Shopping, Hou Hai

Best day of my life so far?

China Open Tennis Comapany LTD arranged for a driver to pick us up and take us sight seeing to the Great Wall and other famous places around Beijing. Our friends “Roy,” “Helen,” and “King” met us at our hotel and took us to the Great Wall—which was amazing! Everywhere we went people wanted to take our pictures! 

Their idea.

The Great Wall is unbelievable. Beyond words. We were awe struck as soon as we saw it, and we spent about 2 1/2 hours climbing as far as we could--all the way to a temple on the mountainside that we could barely see from the starting point. 

The temple we climbed to at the top of the mountain side.

We didn’t realize the path to the temple was incredibly steep until we got there and tried to come back—but it was so worth it. 

Most beautiful place I've ever been.

Forgot my Slinky.

Pretty good year for me all around!

Climbing the wall was definitely an accomplishment--felt like running a 5k! About 3/4 of the way that we climbed we found a gift area where I bought a " I CLIMBED THE GREAT WALL" t-shirt. New favorite.

People wouldn't stop taking our picture. This made this woman's day I am pretty sure.

This little kid LOVED taking pictures of me.

My new best friend.

After the great wall, our driver picked us up around lunch time. We didn’t know where to go, so he suggested this tiny little hutong that he knew of.  It turned out to be an amazing local place that had never served Americans before!

The family that lives here grows and makes their own ingredients in a small vegetable garden in the back.

I love these Chinese lanterns that are everywhere...

We had NO idea what was coming-- loved all the tea!

They sat us down at this big round table with a lazy susan in the middle, and just started bringing out dish after dish. We had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be the best meal I’ve ever had in China ( so far!)  It was literally a feast served by the most adorable family.  We had so much fun and I’ve never tasted such amazing food.

The mother and grandmother would come in and bring more and more food every few minutes!

You name it--we had it! Amazing!

In the center was this huge pot that was heated from beneath the table. Inside was huge hand-made noodles, pork, cabbage, and other delicious veggies and tofu. We couldn't get enough!

Only chopstick masters could get into this at first--the mom laughed at us and brought us a spoon.

They insisted on taking pictures of us as their first “foreign customers.” 

This woman is amazing--she reminded me so much of my Polish grandma Burdzy.

After lunch we thanked the family for giving us a FEAST, and our driver took us to Tianamen Square and the Front Gate. It was SO huge and very, very clean—we saw workers picking up single peanuts off the ground, which was impeccable.

No photo can do it justice, it was so enormous. 

A grandma holds a baby up to a guard--he wasn't feeling it.

Our friends showed us another area filled with little shops. We walked up and down the street looking at art, clothes, and all sorts of little trinkets for a few hours, then went back to our hotel where we braved our first dinner at a place around the hotel. I took the job of ordering for the group--it went pretty well I'm proud of myself! 

It was so cool to just walk up and down the streets of Beijing
--and our driver would just pick us up wherever we ended up!

We were very lucky to get along so well with the three "representatives" from the China Open who we met the first day, because they volunteered to come along with us the entire day and were essentially the best tour guides possible! We not only saw major tourist sights, but they showed us all the best local fare--not to mention guided most of our purchasing/bartering!