Australian Open - New year started lucky

New year started lucky for me. When i received a mail from Tania throwing open 6 corporate gold tickets i had no idea i will win one. all one had to do was open up a spreadsheet filled with figures of my client's performance and zoom in on the required figure and click the appropriate voting button in the mail. so i did, least expecting i will be a winner. after all it was a question to be answered easily. but i got lucky and got the tickets for 15th of jan 2008.

i was thinking of buying tickets and watching the game anyways. but i guess i can put the dollars for better use now ;). the ticket not only offered one of the best seats at center court (rod laver arena) but also free dinner at skyline dining room and free booze.

Few mails on getting there and also a mail on the dress code (damn you executives) were exchanged before we got there. Angela was kind enough to give me a lift to the court. but the two other men who had won the tickets had other plans. so it was going to be me and five other gorgeous ladies ( gorgeous..hmmm.. more by attitude than looks..)

When i entered the dining room with angela and julie we found tania, jad and paula already seated and sipping on red wine. i was more used to beer than wine and so ordered hieneken. after chatting with the ladies for more than 2 hours at the table ( i am more mature now :) ) and gulping in two beers ( wanted to go for more ) we left for the arena.

the first match was between venus williams and.. i didnt even bother to know the other player's name. the game was already in progress and venus won the game in straight sets. but i was more excited about the second match more than the first. Men would watch women's tennis for a reason (..you know what..) more than the game itself.

and so i was ready with the camera and there came roger federer.. man who has won 13 grand slams, 3 short of setting a world record. the court filled with applause and it was really exciting to watch him play live and real. he won the game in straight sets without even sweating much.

it was nice to see the blue plexicushioned surface and having watched two great players games i felt more than satisfied and felt good as i had missed to visit wimbledon when i was at london before.

calling it a night to cherish for more than one reason i walked back to my apartment and bragged a little to my friends who by then had bet 160 dollars on india losing the third test match versus australia. they wanted to be happy at the end of test match. if india won they will be happy for an occurence which is rare to witness. if they lost they will be happy for the money they will make. if they drew the test..well then its money gone for toss.

you can click through the snaps below. enjoy!!

Australian Open