Wimbledon 2001
by Robyn Lakeman
Day 1 Monday – 25th June
Having slept in the tent overnight it was now Day One of Wimbledon. Wendy
packed up the tent and took it up to “Left Luggage” to be stored for the
day and we waited in the queue. At 8am the stewards arrived with the
wristbands and each one of us was issued with the one that we wanted. As Pat
wasn’t playing today we only needed a grounds pass. Wristbands are issued
for Centre Court, No. 1 court and No. 2 court.
I wanted to catch some of the Scott Draper/Todd Woodbridge match before
Pat’s practice so I headed over to that court only to be rewarded with a
ball fair square smack in the face towards the end of the first set. My
sunglasses and hat flew off and my nose bled a bit, ouch! It really hurt. I
didn’t even get a sorry either, probably Scott didn’t realise that someone
had been hit. Well after that I went to meet up with Wendy for Pat’s
practice at Aorangi Park, having a quick chat to Nev, Woz, Tamara and Pete on
the way. At 2pm Pat duly showed and we watched him hit out. There was a high
wire fence there so didn’t take a lot of pics. When Pat had finished Wendy
gave him the Cherish the Children jumper that she had knitted for him and he
was duly impressed. He could see the work that had gone into it and thought it
was awesome. I wanted to get a picture of this but too many people in the
crush to get Pat’s autograph, what a popular man he is!
There was a wall running along a section of the back of Court 1 opposite the
players entrance at Aorangi park and this became the meeting place for the RBs
during the first week when there were a lot more of us around. It was great
catching up with everyone and there was always a bit of shade in this place as
that first week was so hot and muggy, apparently very untypical of English
weather.
In that first week I caught up with Annie and Sue, Dee, Catriona and Irishface
albeit briefly to my disappointment. They were only there for two days and
everything happened at lightening speed. Then there was Ina, Helga, Martina,
Peggy, Anja, Nadine, Carol, Joelle, Mel, Elina, Alison, Jody, Mandy, Tamara
and of course Woz, Nev and Mongrel.
At the end of the day we went back to the queue to where Wendy’s friends had
been saving a spot for us and at 9pm Wendy went to collect her tent from Left
Luggage only to find they had given it to someone else! After a lot of
discussion the official decided we would spend the night in the grounds of
Wimbledon and they would put us back in the queue in the morning. We wondered
where they would put us and would we have beds! Oh well, not to be, we slept
on air mattresses in a Left Luggage portable room inside Wimbledon and were
visited by a security guard in the middle of night who promptly apologised and
backed out the door lol.
Day 2 Tuesday – 26th June
Pat was playing his first match against Daniel Vacek on Centre Court today,
what a thrill for Pat! We secured our Centre Court wristbands and front row
seats. We went to watch Pat practice at 2pm at Aorangi Park and then watched
Pat’s match at 5pm. Pat won 6-2, 7-6 (7), 6-3. Pat seemed happy with his
game and served and volleyed pretty well.
Tonight I went back to the house that I was to share occasionally with Di. I
had intended to camp out as much as possible to get tickets but needed a base
to have a shower and somewhere to go. Because of lack of beds and the number
of people in the house slept on an air mattress again, oh well, at least I had
the comfort of the house. It was a lovely house with a beautiful garden out
the back. Pity I never had much time to enjoy it or linger in the garden. On
the Sunday that I arrived there with Di we found out that Lleyton was staying
next door with Kim and his family and that day bumped into Cherilynn and Glynn
and had a chat.
Day 3 Wednesday – 27th June
Wendy was back in the queue at 6.30am for Pat’s next match on the Thursday
but I had the luxury of having a bit of a sleep in today. Joined Wendy at 11am
and we went into Pat’s practice then lunch with Wendy and Alison then back
to queuing for the rest of the day.
Spoke to Pat after his practice and he remarked how us girls were in the front
row of his match. We had on our fanatic t shirts so made a nice row of yellow.
I explained that this was possible because we queued and camped overnight to
get these tickets. He asked me how it was going and I told him it was tough
but worth it for the front row seats. I said that at least he hadn’t gone
out in the first round at Wimbledon as he did in Rosmalen lol and he said
“No thank goodness”. I asked him that if it was possible would he give me
one of his Wimbledon towels and he told me how strict they were with them and
how they were counted when he came off court but he would try he said.
Day 4 Thursday – 28th June
Joelle arrived in the morning but was unable to get a ticket to see Pat play
Dosedel on Court 1. Pat practiced on Court 9 but only found out at the last
minute and caught the end of practice. I asked him if I could have one of his
wimbledon towels and he was telling me how they only get given two towels when
they go on court and then when they come off they have to be accounted for as
they have toughened up a lot with the towels. Pat said during his first match
with vacek he hadn't realised this and had given him one of his towels and had
to explain all this when he handed his one towel back. anyway Pat said he
would do. I always wanted a wimbledon towel, especially Pats 
Oh well, little was I to know how many
practices I would get to see with Pat going all the way to the final.
Today there were 7 of us in a row with our fanatic t shirts – Wendy, Di,
Ina, Mel, Nadine, Anja and myself. Pat looked a little bit shaky to begin with
as he tried to figure out Dosedel’s play but in the end he went on to win in
4 sets. At the end he packed up his gear and then came over to give me his
towel. It was so sweet of him to remember that I wanted it and it is something
I will always treasure. Alison said it was really funny to watch the way he
gave it to me as he looked from right to left as if he was worried that some
Wimbledon officials may be watching and he was feeling guilty lol. At his next
match Pat was so relieved to win that he tossed his towel into the crowd and
when he saw two women fighting over it he then tossed the loser another one of
his towels! It was funny, at his next match, he only had ONE towel!! Maybe
they were getting sick of Pat giving away his towels.
At the end of his match Pat acknowledged the crowd and each of us girls. We
were so happy for him. After the match we had managed to swap tickets to see
Lleyton on Centre Court so arrived there just in time. What a match it was!
Lleyton vs Taylor Dent, it didn’t finish till 8.30 pm. A night back at the
house for me and dinner with Joelle in Wimbledon village.
Day 5 Friday – 29th June
Up at 5.30am to join the queue for Pat’s match on Saturday. A long boring
day for sure. Missed Pat’s practice after Wendy queued for 4 hours to buy a
general admission ticket for12 pound for me. Peter got back to me when he
could about times for practice but I always understood when he couldn’t as
he is a very busy man. I appreciate all he does.
It’s tough queuing each day and sleeping on the pavement in a tent. Each
time you start anew. Pat played every second day so take for instance when Pat
played Arazi on the Friday, we started queuing at 6.30am on the Thursday
morning which means sitting there all day until 7-8 pm (someone would mind our
place when we took an hour off to watch Pat practice) until they move you down
to set up your tent. The tennis often goes till 9pm so you then sit there
behind the barricades outside Wimbledon grounds and when the public spills out
at the end of the day you feel like a public exhibit.
People walk past often making comments on your sanity or asking how long you
have been camping or who you will be cheering on. You can set up the tent an
hour after the public has left. This is generally about 10pm. Wendy would pump
up the air mattresses each night and put up the tent. I would never have done
this without Wendy and with my ill health I always felt like I was a burden
but she assured me I wasn’t. We would then walk up this steep hill to Di’s
for a shower and change of clothes and then back to the tent for the night. By
the time we crawled into our sleeping bags it would be about 1am and we would
have to be up at 5am to pack the tent up, let the air out of the mattresses
etc. Some party animals would undoubtedly keep us awake at night, some of the
campers never slept but chose to sleep during the tennis instead lol. Some
people would delight in driving past in the early hours of the morning honking
their horns or yelling smartarse comments.
Anyway after packing up the tents and leaving belongings in Left Luggage for
the day, they would move the queue up to the gates and we would queue there
until we received our wristbands for whichever court we wanted at 8am and at
9.30am we were let in to grab first choice in tickets. While waiting each
morning we would always take advantage of the freebies. Free breakfast cereal
and milk, fruit juice, coffee and tea, danish pastries etc. We were always
well fed in the morning by the companies promoting their products. Great idea!
Tickets for Wimbledon each year are either corporate, players or general
public which they go into a ballot for. The only other way to get tickets is
to queue and by queuing and camping overnight you are assured of good seats.
About 2,000 tickets are allocated like this and they are prime seats. Because
we were always at the top of the queue we would obtain front row tickets for
every match whether it be on Centre Court or Court 2. Tickets for the true
tennis fans! You have to be to camp out all night!! It was tough and
physically demanding and at times I didn’t think I would last but I did and
I’m proud of the fact although I did have a few angina attacks which worried
me.
If you joined the queue in the morning there was no assurance that you would
get the court that you wanted that day and I do know people that did miss out
but there was always the chance to swap tickets or beg people as they left a
match for their tickets and this seemed to work most of the time. What people
do to see our Pat!!
Day 6 Saturday – 30th June – “People’s Saturday”
Today was Saturday for the people and they came in their thousands. The
busiest day of all. Agnes, Iva and Eszter had decided to come along at 8am and
they waited in a queue till 5pm to get tickets for tennis THAT day. When they
finally got into the grounds they were able to ask people leaving centre court
for their tickets and got into see Pat’s match which was last up on Centre
Court.
We managed front row Centre Court tickets again that day and again there were
seven of us in a row in our fanatic t shirts. Lleyton vs El Ayonoui was up
first and Pat vs Arazi was on last. Pat wasn’t that comfortable in the first
set and wasn’t hitting the ball all that well although his serving was good
but as the match progressed he got into it more and took out the match in
straight sets. Back to Di’s that night and a rare trip to the Dog and Fox
(not that easy when you’re camping to get away).
Sunday – 1st July
No tennis today so I slept in and then had lunch with Wendy, Ina and Helga in
Wimbledon village. Ina, Helga, Anja, Nadine, Martina and Peggy were leaving
that afternoon. There had been a lot of us in the first week and things had
been so hectic we hadn’t had a great chance to catch up. The second week was
to be quieter. Already Elina and Mel had left and many of the English girls
weren’t around in the second week either. Wendy found out today that her
friend Frances, a PR Unltd member and Davis Cup supporter, had died on
Thursday after a long battle with liver cancer. She will always be remembered,
rest in peace Warrior Frances! When in Dusseldorf, Astrid had a card signed by
all the Aussie boys for Frances and she was overwhelmed when she received it.
DAY 8 Monday - 2nd July
Sunday afternoon had joined the queue for Pat’s match against Youzhny today.
Pat was on the graveyard court, Court 2, for the first time. Again they had
Lleyton on the same court which was a double bonus. We had begun to see a
pattern in the first set that Pat wouldn’t play that great until he put his
headband on and then things would change around and this is what happened
again today.
Pat thought that he played all right in the first set, and just got killed.
“I thought I was going home, I really did.” He said. He started accepting
defeat but when Pat broke Youzhny in the second set then he knew he was in
with a chance.
When Lleyton came out last and played Escude he was on self destruct from the
first set and lost in four. We even got Nev down the front to cheer him on,
Lleyton just loves Nev, but unfortunately even that couldn’t help him. Maybe
it was too much tennis and he had peaked too early with Lleyton winning Queens
and then Rosmalen. At any rate he had done better than previous years and now
he would stick around to see how Kim did.
DAY 9 Tuesday – 3rd July
Another boring day in the queue, sitting on the pavement all day and setting
up the tent at night only broken by an hour of Pat’s practice. I had run out
of money by the weekend. I couldn’t believe how expensive everything was. It
definitely costs a lot of money to go to Wimbledon each day especially when
Pat is playing on Centre and Court 1 most of the time. These courts cost from
40 to 60 pound at a time ($A120-$180) and when you are paying this out every
second day and then a grounds pass ($A36) every other day, it soon adds up.
DAY 10 Wednesday – 4th July
Today Pat played Enqvist on Court 1. We couldn’t believe just how badly
Enqvist played in fact it was downright embarrassing. Enqvist had no rythym on
his serve, he struggled with it the whole match and Pat won in straight sets.
DAY 11 Thursday – 5th July
Was going to have a day off today as things were quietening down a lot and not
a lot of girls left but decided to do something different and watch Pat’s
practice lol. Spent the afternoon with Wendy and Alison and watched some of a
match on The Hill. The weather was starting to get a bit better, not as hot
and humid.
Day 12 Friday – 6th July
Joined the queue at 8.30am for a grounds pass today. Went to Pat’s practice
and I gave Pat a letter that I hoped would inspire him just a little with his
forthcoming match against Agassi. He smiled and said “Thanks Rob”. The
letter basically said that I believed it was Pat’s turn to defeat Agassi,
that he could do it and to believe in himself because we all did! As this was
the semi there was no way we could queue to buy tickets. Our only hope was
ticket resales that morning but with Pat playing first up chances were very
slim indeed plus you had to be a fast runner to get to the office once the
gates opened and that definitely counted me out, I didn’t need any more
angina attacks. Our only hope was the ticket fairy.
We saw Peter after practice and he said to meet us outside the players locker
room at 12.30pm and he would see if he could get any tickets, it depended on
how many of Lara’s friends turned up. Well at 1pm when Pat had walked on the
court Peter came to the door with tickets for all of us. We were blown away,
thank you so much Pete, you made our day.
We raced in and took our places in the players guest pass section only to find
we were behind the Agassi supporters we had been queuing with all week and you
know who they were cheering on. So it was calls of GO AGASSI, countered by GO
PAT!!!!
I believe in karma and Pat and Agassi had been on the same court for the
quarter final. Because we were always next to the Agassi fans in the queue
each day we had tickets with them and had asked them if we could swap their
tickets with some of our friends so that our friends could sit next to us so
that we had a display of unity with our fanatic t shirts and roos for Pat.
Well they weren’t obliging at all and said no even though they had asked me
if we could swap our tickets with their friends for Andre’s match. I always
believe in helping others out no matter what and I was magnaminous enough to
swap tickets with them so they could have their display of unity and support
for Andre but I knew the cost to them in the end would be Andre’s defeat at
the hands of Pat for refusing us. What goes around comes around.
It was a real heart stopping match and I must admit at times I started to
think that Pat wouldn’t win, but Pat came back in the 5th set from a break
down taking the match and we were stoked. Pat was into his second final!!!
Tim and Goran took the court later that afternoon but the rains came and their
match had to be continued the next day.
Day 13 Saturday – 7th July
Today I spent the day at home. Turned out to be a great idea. Rain delays
again for Tim and Goran and unfortunately still they didn’t finish their
semi final. In the end it would have to be finished on the Sunday and the
Women’s Final would also have to be played on the Sunday instead of the
Saturday. A decision would also have to be made whether the Men’s Final
would go ahead in the afternoon or would the players elect to have it on the
Monday!
Well by that afternoon the decision had been made, they would play the Men’s
final on the Monday for the first time in history and tickets would be on a
first come, first serve basis. A final for the true fans. But there was a
problem. I was leaving 9.30pm Sunday night and I had a special cheaper flight
that I was locked into I tried in vain to change my flight, even to
upgrade it and pay an extra $A1,000, but no go. I was committed to it and
could do nothing so I resigned myself to missing the final and finding out the
result when I arrived back in Australia.
Wendy had gone to Pat’s practice and had tried to give Pat some of the Tim
Tams I had brought over from Australia. He kept saying no every time she tried
to give them to him so in the end she said to give them to Pete and he then
said in a plaintive voice “I can’t” lol. Temptation, temptation!!
Day 14 SUNDAY – 8th July
Well today the Men’s final was to be played but no. Today Tim and Goran
finished their semi final match, it only took about 10 minutes with Goran
emerging the victor and England’s hopes dashed. People had already begun
queuing for “People’s Monday” but many Brits left the queue when Tim
went out.
We went to Pat’s practice and I told him that I couldn’t get my flight
changed so I would now miss the final. He talked about how the players were
given the choice of playing on the Sunday or the Monday and Goran and he had
both agreed on the Monday. Pat also jokingly said that I had only come to
watch him win Rosmalen anyway but he had gone out in the first round lol. He
then went on to say that it was a shame that I had been there the whole two
weeks and would now have to miss the final. I told Pat that Goran would defeat
Tim but that Wimbledon was Pat’s and that he could do it. I’m sure we all
believed that.
After Pat left the court we spoke to Pete and Killer who posed for some pics
for his web site, just mucking around. Pete said he was going back home for
three weeks and Pat and Lara were going to Bermuda. I did read later that Pat
would have gone back to Australia if he had won. I can understand that he
wouldn’t have wanted to face the press if he had been defeated because of
how he is hounded back here in Australia but it seems a shame that because of
this he couldn’t spend time with his family. Fame! It’s not what it’s
cracked up to be.
After practice I went back to the queue with Alison, Joelle and Wendy. Even
though there was no need for me to be there as I was flying home that evening
I wanted to be there with my friends.
At 4pm I messaged Nev goodbye and next thing I know he is on the phone to me
asking why the hell I was going home. I explained about my ticket and how I
had tried and then it dawned on me that Nev worked for Qantas and had
contacts!!! Why hadn’t I thought of that? I told Nev I had to catch a taxi
within the hour to the airport so he was on the phone to Australia straight
away. True to his word, just as I reached Di’s place to get my taxi, Nev
rang to tell me not to catch that plane. I was now going back on Tuesday,
yippeeeee!!! There is a God and his name is Nev. I was so happy, I was going
to get to stay to see Pat in the final. Thank you Nev. Di’s neice Isabel
took my luggage back to her place and dropped me back in the queue with Wendy,
Joelle and Alison ………….. here we go again, one more time!!!
Lots of Aussies were in the queue, Australian flags everywhere. Woz, Killer
and Pete came along and videoed the queue for Pat and later Nev came up to see
me about the ticket, he got a big hug. A group of noisy Aussies near us kept
cheering and waving at people leaving the tennis and then they asked an old
lady in the block of flats across the road for a white sheet so they could
make a sign, she obliged and was duly cheered. There was a great atmosphere
that night but we managed to get to bed by midnight.
Day 15??? MONDAY – FINALLY THE FINAL!! “People’s Day”
Up at 5am to pack up the tent. So many Aussies in the queue! The queue snaked
up the hill and into the park, 7,000 in all! At 9.30am they let us into the
holding area outside Centre Court. There was a chain holding us back till
10.30am but unfortunately it broke and one of the security guards had to hold
it with people yelling out “You are the weakest link” lol.
Today was a special day, the first time in history the Men’s final was
played on a Monday. First come, first serve for tickets. 40 pounds each. A
final for the true tennis fans!
At 10.30am the chain was taken off and it was a mad rush for seats. We had a
choice where we could sit and had decided we would go for the section where
the players come in. Jody and her friends were the runners to hold seats for
us older ones. They did a good job and managed to get us seats in that
section. Nev and his group were directly across from us and Nev was waving a
big Boxing Kangaroo flag.
There was a fantastic atmosphere as the court started to fill up. So many
Aussies. Jack Nicholson got a huge cheer when he made his appearance in the
royal box with people yelling out in unison “you can’t handle the
truth”. The Australian cricket team also were there in the players guest
pass corner. I saw Newk and he had sprayed a white spot on his hair, paying
back Pat for the moustache in Spain I guess.
Well you all know how the match went and we were just stunned. I really
thought this was Pat’s Wimbledon and if a winner is judged on courage,
humility and great sportmanship, then it was. We are just so proud of our Pat.
When he walked around holding the trophy above his head he walked over to Nev
and shook his hand and then when he came over our side he looked over at me as
I went to take a photo, mind you I hadn’t taken any photos towards the end
of the match, and he smiled this oh so sad smile at me and it broke my heart,
I will never forget that, ever.
After the players left the court we began to file out and went to the door
outside the locker room where we saw Pat and Lara and waved to them. At one
stage Pat threw his players ID down to where Alison and Wendy were standing
and Alison caught it only to have a young Asian boy snatch it from her so
Wendy and Alison both tackled him to the ground to get it back, priceless!!
I met up with Nev who had made a special trip into London to get stickers for
my plane ticket, what a guy! I then said my goodbyes and waited outside the
main gate of Wimbledon on the pavement for Wendy to come back with her bags
that she had left in Alison’s car. It turned into half an hour so I decided
to sit on the pavement as I was tired and then the comments started “Hey
Miss, Wimbledon isn’t for another year now” etc etc. After the hundreth
person made this comment I decided to wait for Wendy standing up.
The party
We were all stunned at Pat’s defeat at the hands of Goran. We were so sure
that this was Pat’s Wimbledon. I really thought that Pat had the match and
that he would win the last set 8-6. It’s hard to put into words how we all
felt but no doubt all Pat fans know that feeling.
If there had been a celebratory party I would have been there no question but
I just wanted to leave Wimbledon. Wendy came with me to pick up my luggage
from Di’s niece Isabella, who had kindly allowed me to store it there the
night before while I was camping out and Isabella drove Wendy and myself to
Wimbledon village so we could have some dinner before Melonie and Malcolm
picked me up to take me back to their place for the night.
Isabella spotted Pete outside the function room of Finches next door to the
Dog and Fox so we went up to speak to him and offer our commiserations. I
thanked him for everything and then Pete asked us to the party and I told him
I really didn’t want to impose, I didn’t feel it was right but Pete
insisted practically twisting my arm. He said that last year Pat had a private
party with his friends but this year wanted to celebrate with his friends and
supporters. I didn’t know whether to contact the girls as I still felt a bit
funny about going so forgive me for not doing this. I was incredibly sad and
down for our Pat too.
After dinner with Wendy we went to the private function room where Pat and his
friends had had dinner. I know Leo Schlink has written about this but I
can’t find the article. There were heavies on the door and a “Private
function” sign was up. There weren’t a whole lot of people there really
and most of the supporters were fanatics that had been to previous Davis Cups.
Although I did read something about Pat shouting the bar that wasn’t the
case, this party was not in the actual pub but drinks were laid on for
everyone in this private function room at Finches.
It was actually like a DC party with the boys in a circle singing to the
Aussie songs and hoisting Rochey, then Pat, then Pat and Lara up on their
shoulders and bouncing them around. Everyone seemed to have forgotten that
afternoon and were just having a good time. I noticed Richard Bramston there
with a couple of girls hanging off each arm. Pat seemed to circulate a lot
trying to catch up with his friends in the room which was really lovely of
him.
Pat came over to see me at one stage and I touched his arm and asked him how
he was feeling. He said he was fine. I told him he was the best and that I was
so sad for him. As usual he tried to remain positive and talked about putting
things into perspective – “Nobody died” he said. I told him the girls in
the chatroom had cried and he said “it was only a tennis match” and I said
yes, but an important one that he wanted to win this year along with DC. I
told him he was always so graceful in defeat and Pat laughed and said
“gracious!”, I said yes that’s what I meant, but he was graceful too lol.
I then kissed him on the cheek and told him that everyone loved him and he
said “I know” and smiled. I then said I just had to give him a big hug, as
you would of course, and he gave me a hug back. I know most of you here when
you see him go through something like this that you just want to reach out and
give him a big hug. I was fortunate that I could do this. I said that he
always had to do it tough, nothing every came easy for him.
I had spoken to Pat the day before and had told him I had to fly out Sunday
night so I told him the story behind my still being at Wimbledon all thanks to
Nev. I then told him that there is a God and his name is Nev and Pat said
something along the lines of all these years he had been praying to God and it
was only Nev after all, or something like that lol. Pat said it was great that
I got to stay for the final because it was such a special day. More like
People’s day on the Monday. Tennis for the true fans that were prepared to
queue and camp out. Pat said it was just awesome to see all the Aussie
supporters and all the Aussie flags and colours. Just amazing!
We talked about the Masters Cup and points. We all know that if Pat had won he
would have been assured of a place there in November and he said that was what
really hurt. I said it had been an incredible two weeks but I would be glad to
get home and sleep in a bed as I was absolutely stuffed and Pat laughed at
that. He’s back in Bermuda now with Lara for a few weeks before the Canadian
Open.
I spoke with Andreas quite a few times and he won’t be joining Pat till Long
Island but said he’s pretty confident concerning Pat’s physical condition
at the moment.
When the pub closed we followed Pat and Lara down the hill to Wimbledon
station where Pat tried to talk the bouncers at the front door of this
nightclub into letting us all go in but they said we had to queue and could
only go in one at a time as people left so Pat decided it was time to go home
and we all went our separate ways.
I was so pleased I did get to talk to Pat after the match at the party. He is
pure inspiration and a wonderful human being and we are all so very proud of
him. When you’re so sad about the outcome he really lifts your spirits, he
really cares about people and tries to make you feel at ease even though his
poor heart is breaking. We all love you mate!
It was an amazing two weeks, wonderful to catch up with all the RB’s and
spend time with my campmates/roomies Wendy, Joelle, Mel, Elina, Alison and Di.
Thanks again to Wendy, I never would have done this without you and thanks to
Di for letting me share her house for those wonderful much needed showers and
a roof over my head when I needed it.
