Babies at a tennis match

I learned last night that when the Racquet Club says, "Yes, you may bring your infant to the tennis tournament, but we do require quiet," what they really mean is, "Please don't bring your infant." I swear, it was worse than church!

When we were seated, the stadium had a suitable dull roar that would cover the infant squeaks and grunts that inevitably would occur, and probably even a moderate cry. When Andy Roddick stepped to the line to serve, however, and the stadium when so quiet you could hear a pin drop on the concrete tennis court, my eyes widened and my brain screamed, "Oh dear God. That is quiet."

I did have to leave three times because of baby noises. However, we spent five hours watching two incredible matches. The first, Roddick (seed 1, and most handsome, I must say), vs. Tipsaharovich (seed 59, and quite comical) looked like a crusher, but Tipsaharovich gave him a run for his money. Julia's dirty diaper forced me to leave right when it was getting good. Roddick complained three or four times when the line judges misjudged his shots. Tipsaharovich took an opportunity to mock Roddick at a time when one of his shots was called out (and obviously was.) I am sorry I missed that. Laughter is the best medicine, you know. Roddick pulled out the match. It was a real treat to watch him in person.

Lleyton Hewitt played the next match against a guy named Mannarino, seed 69. I don't know Hewitt's seed, but he has recently been the top player in the nation! Mannarino actually claimed the first match. Hewitt and Mannarino both exhibited a competitive spirit. Hewitt actually broke his racquet in frustration at one point!

At 11pm, Mannarino had managed to secure a double-matchpoint against Hewitt for the set! Hewitt was serving. All was quiet. Hewitt tossed the ball up. And then...

Waaaaaahhhh!

Oh. My. Word. Talk about timing.

Hewitt let the ball drop. The entire stadium (which wasn't many) glared at me. I scooted out of there in a jiffy, and as I passed the usher, she sent me a look that I choose to interpret as sympathetic. I assured her that I would not be back. Chris followed shortly, and we watched the end of the match, which Hewitt managed to win, on the screen outside the stadium. They started their third set at 11:30pm, and I sincerely believe Chris would have stayed til the bitter end if Julia had not been there.

Well, lesson learned.

We spent five hours at the racquet club. The baby cried three times. I'd say she deserves a medal... as does Hewitt, for winning in spite of the noise.