Roland Garros - Philippe Chatrier

Today I'm in the main stadium, Philippe Chatrierr and I am lining up to see the master of clay, Raphael Nadal!

The day begins once more by entering through the magical gates whilst being encouraged inside with the musical melodies of the jazz band. I pick up my daily Roland Garros newspaper and quickly log on to the wifi before it get bogged down by the public.

I wanderer into the main stadium to check out my seats and take the obligatory photos. I feel like I have made a huge error in clothing choice today where it was overcast, but then warm yesterday, it is overcast and windy today. I've left some key warm clothing at and sense I’ll struggle today … oh no!

Anyhoo, today’s timetable in the main stadium is as follows Caroline Wozniak, Raphael Nadal and Andy Murray. On the outside courts brewed the potential for a particularly good game between two Aussie young guns Bernard Tomic and Thomas Kokkinakis. With second round matches on the big courts not usually very exciting, I planned to visit the outside courts today too.

Caroline hit off and I watched her first set before heading over to get a great seat for the Tomic and Kokkinakis game. Even Nicky Kyrgios popped in to watch the boys play. I watched the first 2 sets here and with Tomic leading quite convincingly in both seats I gave my good possie and headed back over to the main court as Nadal was due to start. I had, after all, wanted to see the King of Clay on Clay, so I best take in the moment.

Nadal took the first set easily and was looked up to see the scores around the grounds I saw that Tomic and Kokkinakis were on for the match of the day with them firing up in the fourth set looking likely to head to a fifth. I waved goodbye to Rafa and fought my way into the outside court, which was now overflowing with people and a considerable sized queue on the outside trying to get in.

Eventually I made it and saw Kokkinakis take victory in the fifth set. I felt sorry for Tomic, the crowd were against him and clearly for Kokkinakis, but he took it all in his stride, not betraying any emotion on his face and clapping to the crowd on his way out. Kokkinakis was in victory.

Ball girl outfits. In Australia the ball kids all wear the same outfits, shorts, long sleeved shirt and a good hat. In Roland Garros the girls wear what reminded me of a netball skirt I wore when I was 10, single top and not hat. I was not impressed at all. They are running around, bending over, throwing balls down the court, skirts are not the appropriate attire, personally I feel.

Around the grounds Ronald Garros looks like an unfinished, concrete city. There is beautiful greenery mixed in between, but it has this feeling like we’ve interrupted them through construction. I later confirmed with Marion that she felt the same way.

At the conclusion of Andy Murray’s game I’d had enough of the weather and decided to pack up and head back to Paris. Random note, I tried to get a glass of red wine only to be told that they don’t serve red wine at the grounds, weird!

On my way back to the station I saw that the botanical gardens were open and popped in for a quick look. They were beautiful, all manicured nicely with lots of variety. My favourite part was spotting the rabbits roaming around.

This evening I stopped to have dinner at a restaurant near my hostel, in the cool vibey aread. Sucked in once more with them advertising daily menu specials only to be told once I’d sat down that they only applied at lunch, grr. I enjoyed a meal, glass of wine and ice-cream filled profiteroles for dessert.

Day 2 at Roland Garros, done and dusted.もっと詳しく