Follow American Irina Falconi in this “Quest to Qualify” player blog as she competes in Europe, and now, the French Open qualifying. Currently ranked No. 135 in singles and 72 in doubles, she is now 11-2 in her career in Grand Slam quali...
Follow American Irina Falconi in this “Quest to Qualify” player blog as she competes in Europe, and now, the French Open qualifying. Currently ranked No. 135 in singles and 72 in doubles, she is now 11-2 in her career in Grand Slam qualifying and looking for another main draw berth in Paris this week. (Catch Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and follow her on Twitter @IrinaFalconi)
Lucky number blog 17 — I mean 7. I guess I’m thinking 17 because I just took my Chapter 2 test on my “Intro To Science” course, and I got a 17 out of 20. Not exactly thrilled with that result but my multitasking skills are getting a work out: I’m studying for my degree, writing blogs, and doing the tennis thing in Roland Garros. All in a day’s work.
It’s been another great day in the office here in Paris, but today wasn’t actually THAT much different from yesterday strangely enough.
Well, I take that back in two ways: the Paris weather was unpredictable, as was the time of our match. You just never know what time you will actually get on court to play when you are scheduled as the second match. The rule of thumb though is to typically give yourself an hour and a half. But even then, what if someone sprains their ankle in their warmup? What if someone were to retire after one game. The matches are so up-and-down and totally random, that, as a player, you have to be prepared to go on court at any moment.
Given all of this, I made sure to warm up at 9 am, and anyone that has been around me when I’m not the first match on a court, knows that I like to follow LOOOOONG matches. So, today I’m chilling with my sister at 10:15 am when I realize that it’s already 3-0 in the first set of the match before mine. I’m like, “Come on (other player), get it to 7-6 in the third!” Well, suffice it to say it didn’t go to 7-6 in the third, but they did split the first two sets. They took their time, and I enjoyed mine.
At around 12 pm, it was go time. But as I have been accustomed to this week in Paris, the weather decided to freak everyone out — especially the WTA and ATP staff. There were a few of them on my court already using their amateur meteorologist skills to correctly anticipate the rain that started shortly.
We were all expecting a 50% chance of rain from 12 until 3 pm: it was going to be in spots, and it was going to be quick, but it was going to come no matter what. At 12:12 pm, after my opponent won the opening game, we were forced to stop. And it wasn’t because of the rain. Oh no, my friends. IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE HAIL! That was certainly a first.
As I was about to serve, cold spheres start falling from the skies. I put my hand out expecting rain, but sure enough, hail starts collecting in my hand! Now you see why I just HAD to name this blog “Oh Hail Yes!?”
Back on court after the, um, hail delay, there was no rest. We continued with another three or four more delays after that, but no big deal. After a long two and half hour battle, I got a spot in the last round of qualifying where I will play Zuzana Kucova.
After the post-match recovery, the scouting report for me next match, and some food, it was time to simmer down and enjoy a nice cappuccino. Ah, the pleasant life.
Irina Falconi enjoying her delicious cup of cappuccino
Tomorrow is another battle! Alleeeeeeezzzzz!!
-IF