After the shortest month of February, March often feels like the longest month. For three years, we has taken a weekend trip to watch the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, the closest ATP tennis event. Often cited as the fifth slam, Indian Wells Tennis Garden has the second largest tennis stadium with nearly half a million of spectators every year, even more than the French Open.
Located in Southern California desert among golf resorts, tropical gardens, fine restaurants in a nice quiet neighborhood, Indian Wells makes a vacation paradise in March. The weather is dry and the day could be blazing hot, though still mild when compared to 120°F in summer months. The tennis tournament spans over two weeks. In 2014, we went there in the first weekend, there was hustle and bustle, some long lines, in return, we saw many tennis stars. We switched to the championship weekend with more weighty matches, but there was no guarantee which players would end up playing. Regardless, we always have a great time.
Larry Ellison bought the tournament for 100 millions and has done amazing things with his money power. Indian Wells has become one of the world’s premier tennis venues, attracting top players from both men’s and women’s professional tours. Over the years, we have seen Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Raonic, Nishikori, Wawrinka, Williams and many tennis stars play single or double in the tournament. The tournament experience has got better and better. Just this year, 22 new restaurants have been added including Spago by Wolfgang Puck, the Melissa market with fresh salad, Dave’s dog house with 2-michelin stars? hotdog. For $150 extra, one can watch stadium 1 match, while dining inside the Spago restaurant. New and contemporary restroom facilities have been added, which almost extinguishes any lines. And there are accessible water stations to keep us hydrated.
When the 2017 draw was released, Federer was in the Quarter of Death widely agreed by the players to be the toughest in history. We had no expectation to see him in the championship weekend. Then the news got better and better as Federer beat Nadal soundly in the fourth round, and he would play on the Friday quarter-final.
We spent more bucks for tickets to his quarterfinal match with Kyrgios. After 5 hours of driving, we arrived at the Tennis Garden just in time, to be told that Kyrgios withdrew. Federer showed up in the stadium for an interview and “tried” to entertain us with his funny singing video.
His semi-final match on Saturday with Sock, US #1, did not disappoint. I got to the stadium early so as to be part of the roaring welcome as the players walked out to the court. It was like rock star entry to a concert filled with tens of thousands of fans. No matter who Federer played against, you always felt it in the air that people wanted him to win. His play was mesmerizing, he was just so skilled, so poised and beautiful to watch. Anyone loves tennis would love to see him play. As a recreational tennis player, I knew that even in super slow motion, it was impossible to play his shots, let alone in a match condition when the ball was traveling often at 70+ miles per hour. His match was like a movie with surprises at any moment in time, keeping the spectators engaged. The first set was pretty one-sided, but the second set got to tiebreaker. At matc
h point, the anticipation was palatable and it was pleasantly converted to a 6-1, 7-6 win. The momentous and joyful cheers throughout the stadium made the best human vocals . We enjoyed the fighting and aggressive play of Sock, but it was obvious everyone was happier with a Federer win.
The all-Swiss men’s final awaited on Sunday, we waited long under the blazing sun at 95 °F as the all-Czech women’s final lasted over 3 hours with plenty of twists and turns. When the men’s final started, either we got used to the heat or it was no longer as hot. The final was exciting to watch, both Stan and Roger played well and had their chances. The power play of Stan was intimidating and could blow opponents off the court any day. The skill and variety of Roger continued to impress, and it was humbling to see how he could still improve over the years. His shot making went from powerful gust to soft breeze as he transitioned from baseline rally to net volley. On any day, a power player can beat a more skilled player; in this championship, Roger got the 6-4, 7-5 win. As the championship point played out with a volley winner from Roger, the stadium erupted with a joyful roar and thousands of hands up in the air, it was a scene to freeze in memory and remember forever.
The trophy presentation was memorable. Stan choked back as he congratulated Roger, and their brotherly affection was quite on display. Tommy Haas, in his first year as the tournament director, then presented the trophy to Roger, his close friend on the tour. It was so special. Roger did his graceful speech. Everybody thanked Larry and everybody. Roger then hoisted the beautiful and heavy crystal trophy. His dream run, after 6-month injury break, continues to provide one of the greatest inspiration way beyond the sports of tennis.
When Roger last won the Indian Wells, it was 2012, same year he won Wimbledon #7. Could this be a good omen for his 2017 Wimbledon campaign? Please let the fairy tale continue.
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