Postcard from Doha
31 Oct 2009
I'm writing to you from Doha at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championships. I arrived here on Tuesday afternoon. I took it easy once I arrived after the 24-hour journey from Brisbane. The hotel is amazing and we are all getting looked after very well, my room is probably bigger then my apartment and definitely bigger then where I was staying last week with the clothes dryer in my room haha,
I have had a beautiful bunch of roses delivered to the room the first day I got here and we have received some gifts each day too. Some of the perks at being at the Champs i guess. I'm not too sure the hotel is too environmentally focused though. There are 45 lights in my room!!! There are 15 in the chandelier and the rest are lamps and down lights... crazy! I have learned what the traditional dress is of Qatar and it varies from the rest of the countries on the Gulf... it has been very interesting finding out different things about this place.
On Wednesday Stubbsy and I had our first practice. We hit at 12 and it was HOT! my feet felt like they were burning at times and we had quite a few drink breaks but we got through the 2 hour session I found out afterwards there are actually heaters under the court to regulate the humidity and stop water from forming on the surface. Who would have thought there would be heaters under court in the desert?
The next day was much better. We were a little more used to the conditions and practised much better. We had the draw ceremony yesterday too, we drew Liezel and Cara in our first match. I'm sure all of us are expecting a tough and competitive match and I know Stubbsy and I are looking forward to it.
Today we are going practise a couple of times and the 2nd session we are going to play a practice set against the Spanish pair Maria Jose and Nuria. We have a clinic with some people from Sony Ericsson and apart from that taking it easy. The pool here at the hotel is very nice, I had lunch and a swim down there yesterday. The water is a little warm for my liking considering how hot it is outside but I won't complain. Hang on, I just found another light on the balcony, make that 46 lights!
We will play our match tomorrow either at 2pm or 7.30pm I think. Tomorrow night there is also the end of year party. Considering how the week has been so far I'm sure it will be good fun. That's all for now I hope to be able to write with some good news next time.
Sam
Tags: Doha, Sony Ericsson Championships
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