My trip to London was not to explore the Royal family in all their grandeur. I went to experience the ultimate tennis experience – WIMBLEDON. I took Virgin Atlantic to London. I didn't care for the small seats or the cold, lackluster food. I didn't get to rest or sleep on the flight due to a crying baby and a music teacher next to me that snored endlessly, keeping the whole plane awake.
My arrival at the Millenium and Copthorne Hotels at Chelsea Football Club was met with excitement. I was excited to meet the host of the Wimbledon Experience and get more information on transportation and to see the folks who took my money for the event. A young lady greeted me and after answering many questions, she walked me to the train station to show me where I'd board for my trip to Wimbledon. I was content. I returned to the hotel and sat at the bar to chat it up with the waitress. I learned that a lot of the tennis players were staying in the hotel. I was told to look for them at breakfast. That was confirmed when I spoke to the Concierge. I was even told they were being transported to Wimbledon at the front of the hotel; however, people don't bother the tennis players. I didn't fly all the way over here to just look at them. I'm taking a selfie.
The next morning, I spotted Fabio Fognini with a guy I assumed was his coach. Fabio is shorter in person, but cuter. I saw Marcos Bagdatis. He looked thinner than he does on TV. I saw Jo-Wilfred Tsonga leaving the hotel. I walked to the Fulham Broadway Station and used my tube day pass. I had about four stops to Southfields. From there, signs directed me to my shuttle to be driven to The VIP Gatsby Club.
The Gatsby entrance was grand, so I had my photo op moments. The lovely ladies dressed in fuchsia, lots of makeup, and up-dos took my photos. I was escorted to Table 91. The table was dressed in linen and decorated with flowers and fine silverware. Tessa walked up to Table 92 and saw that we were sitting next to each other and asked me to join her. The "Pink Ladies" gathered my stuff and I was now sitting with Tessa from the Netherlands. We were immediately given champagne and the souvenir menus to choose our appetizers, main course, wine, and dessert. We chose scallops, the Seafood Platter, the Louis Pouilly-Fume Les Affaubertis, France 2013 wine, and Pistachio Poundcake with fruit and ice cream. Tessa and I were having a grand time and chatting it up when I saw the 3-star Michelin Chef Albert Roux approach the lobster bar. He created all the dishes for the Wimbledon event. I waved to him and asked to take a picture with him. He said, “Are you from the United States?” I said, “Yes!” Then he hugged me. Chef Roux talked about his love for the US. Tessa took pictures with my iPhone all the while capturing all my candid expressions sans flash.
After gulping down fresh mussels, plucking snails out of their habitat, and drinking champagne, Tessa and I were driven to Wimbledon’s gate. We marveled at the regal place and took more pictures. The place is huge, so we were escorted to our assigned seats on Center Court. There we observed three matches: Radwanska vs. Dellacqua, Grigor Dimitrov vs. Luke Saville, and Novak Djokovic vs. Radek Stepanek. If you were under a rock July 6th, Djokovic took home the Men’s Championship and Petra Kvitova claimed the Women’s trophy.
We headed to The Wimbledon Shop to buy souvenirs and The Tennis Lawn Museum before heading back to The Gatsby Club for Tea Time where we had petit four desserts, sandwiches and more champagne. We were driven to the tube and headed back to our respective hotels.
I was able to get a picture with Bagdatis. He just happened to be checking out of the hotel at the same time. I called his name and asked to take a picture with him. He obliged. I was thrilled.
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