Stanislas Wawrinka & Roger Federer- Getty Images

The “Up Close and Personal” Experience

July 21, 2008

Those in attendance at Court 1 on Monday found themselves close enough to the on-court action that they could see the beads of sweat forming on Swiss Roger Federer’s forehead and hear the grunts as he eagerly tracked down each ball.

While this may not be an appealing sight in everyday life, it is the essence of tennis and a rare treat for fans of the sport.

It isn’t often that one can find a world class athlete competing just a few feet away, but this opportunity presents itself every year in the early rounds of the Rogers Cup. Top players on side courts will be occur even more often this year as the Top 5 doubles tandems and seven of the Top 10 singles players are all entered into the doubles draw, meaning fans will have several opportunities to catch the game’s best up close.

Monday’s schedule had sixth-seeded American Andy Roddick and countryman Mardy Fish playing on Court 1 against 2007 Wimbledon champions Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra of France, followed by world No. 1 Federer and countryman Stanislas Wawrinka (seeded No. 9 here) taking on Frenchman Julien Benneteau and Canadian Frederic Niemeyer. It’s not very often that fans can see many of these top players competing just a few feet away, but that’s what makes these first few days of tennis so special for everyone in attendance.

Other top singles players such as world No. 2 Rafael Nadal (Spain), No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko (Russia), No. 5 David Ferrer (Spain) and No. 8 Andy Murray (Great Britain) can be seen in doubles action later in the week.

In addition to watching exciting doubles play on many different courts, a walk around the grounds will provide a variety of different options depending on your tennis tastes.

Would you like to see some of the world’s best players get ready for their next match? Then drop by the Cynamon Family Practice Courts, where bleacher seating overlooks four conjoined courts. How about taking part in some interactive activities, including a fastest serve contest? Head on over the Promotions Court. And if you want an up-close perspective of elite level talents vying to get one step closer to the Rogers Cup championship, there are five side courts that will bring you within arm’s reach of the action.

Although the spectacle of a jam-packed Centre Court is certainly a sight to behold, the experience of being in the presence of players like Federer and Nadal is truly an unforgettable one.