Omnium duMaurier 2000
by Daisy Aye
Volunteering at the duMaurier Tournament two years ago was one of the best
experiences of my life. Since then I have faithfully returned each summer.
This has been my third time as locker room staff and there always remain more
people to see and more stories to share. Allow me to highlight some of the action
that happened in Montreal during the tennis-packed week! (August 12-20th)
Qualifying: The start of a tournament
Excitement seemed to buzz in the air early this year. A few days prior to any
qualification match, many good players were booking practices, hitting out on the
courts and hanging out in the player's lounge.
Personalities included: Gala Leon Garcia and Tathiana Garbin whose presence made
it fun and cool for people around them. While Asa Carlsson and Alexandra Stevenson's
mom were not so cool, they were quite demanding characters.
Facts
- Absences: Mary Pierce, Monica Seles and Venus Williams.
- It was a first time appearances for both Serena Williams and Lindsay Davenport.
- There was a bright red full moon Tuesday night.
- Tension between Nathalie Tauziat and Julie Halard-Decugis. Since Nathalie
published her book, some French players have had more than just a bone to pick
with her.
- Anna Kournikova is literally a crowd magnet. Her doubles match on Tuesday
that was supposed to be played on Court 1 moved to Centre Court since Conchita
Martinez beat Annie Miller 6-0, 6-1. The jam-packed crowd that had waited
patiently in their seats on Court 1, long before Anna Kournikova even arrived,
filtered and shifted entirely back onto center court.
- Throughout the week, music from a neighbouring restaurant could be heard
during match play. That was particularly distracting for spectators and surely
for both opponents on court.
- A majority of players thoroughly enjoyed themselves during their stay. Kristie
Boogert and Miriam Oremans even made use of their Video Camera.
Snack corner
- "Clickits" (sponsor): Soy beans that give you better energy? Their taste
is comparable to a combination of sunflower seeds and peanuts. I remember Nathalie
Dechy enjoying them. Evidently this was a new product that no one has heard about
but an interesting health snack nonetheless.
- Gatorade: All colours. Serena had purple Gatorade all week long simply because
it matched her outfit. For those who did not see her that week, her Puma outfit
is purple from jacket to dress to shoes. In a press conference, she announced
that everyone should get prepared for her millenium outfit which she will be
wearing at the US Open.
- Fruits: In general, players love fruit. But to me, Brie Rippner especially,
she was a fruit maniac!
- Chocolate: Most important of all food categories. Snickers, Caramilk, Kit Kat
and Dairy Milk.
- Chuppa Chupps: Sadly none this year. I mention these lollipops because I believe
no one could ever fall out of love for them.
Injuries: always an unfortunate circumstance
On Friday, there was doubt whether the doubles match featuring Davenport/Kournikova
vs Halard-Decugis/Sugiyama would even be played. This was caused by withdrawals of
both Davenport and Halard-Decugis from their singles matches. Anna Kournikova, trying
to overcome a tough loss against Serena Williams, was not too happy to hear
Lindsay Davenport pulling out first. As things were, Julie Halard-Decugis
benefitted from this circumstance and had the day to rest. She went on to
win the doubles match on Saturday and made the Final.
Happy and smiling
Lindsay Davenport and her boyfriend (brother of Rick Leach) were inseparable.
Even with her foot injury, she looked like she was walking on clouds.
Serena Williams speaking French after every match made spectators and staff
laugh and smile. Everyone in Montreal got a kick out of it, thanks Serena!
Other newcomers
The player I was most impressed with during the week was Justine Henin. I think
she has a beautiful backhand and her overall style of play has great potential.
The player I was least impressed by was Alexandra Stevenson. On court, she has
showed us talent but off court, there is not much to see. From my experience, she
is not an enjoyable presence.
Changing ways: 1998 vs 2000
From my observation, Martina Hingis seems more mature and composed than she was
two years ago. It is probably her overall attitude that is more respectful and
professional. At the same time she is still the relaxed and smiling person she
has always been.
In the case of Anna Kournikova, she has not been the happy girl she used to be.
She seemed to me to be much more edgy, very frustrated at times with all the media/people
around her. She's a good person, but you can see that all the hype is too much.
I am not defending her but I certainly believe there are many underlying reasons
for her nonchalante attitude towards the press.
Kids
It is surely common to find babies or children running around in the player's
lounge. Namely Isabelle (daughter of Coach Patricia Hy-Boulais), Jacques
(nephew of WTA Tour Director Brenda Perry), Arnaud (son of Nathalie Tauziat's
coach) and the daugther of Rossana De Los Rios.
Games & Arcades
The player's lounge is never complete without computers, pool and Ping-Pong
tables, pinball machine, video arcades and games. Checkers, cards and board
games have become less popular; at least they are no longer played the old
fashioned way, perhaps it is all done virtually? For example, touch screen
tennis where the ball is hit by touching the screen!
Spare time and hobbies
- Serena Williams: Likes to sing and listen to N'Sync. She also played with
her little terrier dog! (Kodak moment)
- Julie Halard-Decugis: Addicted to South Park Pinball machine! Kill Kenny!
- Nathalie Tauziat: Plays card games at the touch screen terminal.
- Martina Hingis: Listening to her CD player while lying comfortable on
the ground and reading a magazine or sleeping; she can definitely multi-task.
Her mom, Melanie and her friend Mario like to race car drive.
The everyday craze
Booking practice courts: As evening starts settling in, players get
anxious waiting for next day's schedule. As soon as the schedule for the
following day comes out, practice court booking is in order. The phone is
ringing often and players are surrounding the practice sheet.
Crowds and fans: Every year, the number of people at the tournament seems
to greatly multiply. The site looks like it is about to burst. I'm convinced
that we have reached the maximum capacity it can handle. In any event this
means it has become an established popular attraction for both the sport
and the city.
Sightings of local celebrities
- Michel Courtemanche, comedian
- Vincent Damphousse, hockey player
- Denys Arcand, movie director
- Corey Hart & Julie Masse (singers) and their baby girl.
The endless Final: Hingis vs S.Williams
Could I say that this was the strangest Final I've ever assisted?
Needless to say how cold it was when seeing spectators in sweatshirts and jackets
shivering. Not only was I cold, I had to watch the match standing up. No seats
were available as there was only one section reserved for volunteers and the
rest of the seats sold out.
After the first set, I didn't think there would be much more standing to do (6-0,
Serena). I felt bad for Martina but also for all the fans that had paid good money
to see tennis. The second set gave everybody the opportunity to shout and scream
(6-3, Martina). The sun was peeking through the clouds, the weather was no warmer
but at least the atmosphere in the stadium had become. In the third set, it was
apparent that Serena was hurting. She stopped the match because of injury at 3-0
down and this was disappointing for the audience. 'Twas an endless end.
However, the ceremony endeared the crowd. Both players gave their speeches
in French.
The Doubles Final: End of a Tournament
I saw the third set of the match and the trophy presentation. Sitting
outdoors was perfectly enjoyable; the day had finally decently warmed up.
I sat there listening to the speeches and I watched the sun embrace the
stadium. I felt so happy about the tournament and everyone who came to
play. With Nathalie Tauziat's last few words, announcing that this would
be her last time playing in Montreal, she seemed like she was about to cry.
A touching moment since Nathalie has come to this city the most number of
times among the rest of them.
The Party: Marking the end of the week
The party held Sunday evening is always organized to celebrate all the
collaboration and hard work of staff. Gourmet food, beer, music, dancing
and prizes are involved. This year we had the honour of doubles champ
Nathalie Tauziat coming to the party. She was only scheduled to leave
the next morning at 8:00am. So she stopped by from 9:00pm to about
10:30pm that night. One of the highlights of the night is when she
was invited to go onto the stage with Tournament Director Richard
Legendre. She picked the winner of the grand prize, a flight to Vancouver,
Fort Lauderdale, Paris or London courtesy Canada 3000.
Lastly
It is quite a challenge to gather all my thoughts together in an orderly
fashion. This is due to the fact that days seemed like hours. The entire
week seemed like a single great long, fun, hectic day full of excitement, laughter,
fatigue and unforgettable moments. To pick the most meaningful moment
for myself, it was getting a personal thank-you from WTA Tour Director
Brenda Perry. She even gave T-shirts to the staff. Getting such an
acknowledgement for our efforts makes it all even more worth it!
Until next year folks!
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The views expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of this magazine.
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Last updated 26 September 2015
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