Marriage proposals, anniversaries and foot faults
If opening day is anything to go by, Pat Rafter Arena will witness its fair share of love, quirks and controversy in the years to come.
There was a marriage proposal and love poem from a ball boy to glamour girl Ana Ivanovic and an over-zealous line judge foot-faulted Rafter himself during the official opening of the 5,500 stadium.
The new Queensland Tennis Centre’s main court and showpiece for the inaugural Brisbane International was hailed as one of the best tennis arenas in the world by Rafter, fellow former greats and politicians on Friday.
A long-awaited opening started with Rafter serving to former Davis Cupper and Wimbledon champion Ashley Cooper, who returned a forehand winner, to formally baptise the plexi-cushion court.
The 3,000-strong crowd cheered but soon after they were growling under their breath as the baseline judge foot-faulted the two-time US Open champion as he played an exhibition mixed doubles match.
Not just once, but regularly.
Afterwards Rafter was asked whether the official had held court when he played before. He replied, “Julie, she always does that to me”.
Rafter was more diplomatic when questioned about public transport, traffic and access issues relating to the precinct which has no car parking available for the tournament, starting on Sunday.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh was accosted by an angry motorist, hired to drive players to and from the centre, when she arrived for the opening.
Cooper had the honour of ushering in the new courts which have finally replaced the long bulldozed headquarters at Milton, which featured men’s and women’s tour events until the late 1980s.
The former grand slam event winner was married at the Milton courts 50 years ago and ironically celebrated his golden anniversary on Friday.
“It’s a great anniversary present,” Cooper said. “There’s some symbolism there.”
Queensland product and former world No.3 Wendy Turnbull merely said “it’s about time”.
The US-based Turnbull admitted she avoided driving past Milton whenever she was back in her home town due to the pain of local tennis’s loss.
There was no pain for one eager ball boy at the opening, though.
He constantly cheered the statuesque Ivanovic at the top of his lungs through her hour-long practice session on Rafter Arena, and then slipped her a poem as she left the court.
“Will you marry me?” he asked.
With the good grace that has helped seen her adopted by Australian fans as ‘Our Ana’, the stunning Serb replied “when you get older”.
The youngster pumped his fists.
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