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Australian Open 2012 – 8 Jan
Day 1
I flew into Melbourne late yesterday afternoon. A few of the guys were coming back from the stringing room just as I got to the hotel. The guys have been stringing for a couple of days already but have not done many racquets.
I finally sorted out which room I would be staying in. Subway for dinner, caught up with the guys over a couple of drinks then off to bed. My bed doesn’t like me this time. Or maybe it’s my pillow. I think my pillow was designed by someone with a massive head. And my bed is softer on the edges so I find myself sleeping right over on the edge. Falling out of my bed at night is a risk I am willing to take.
I left for the stringing room at 8.30 this morning. Sorted out my accreditation, cleaned and calibrated the machine and was ready for action by 9. It was a quiet day. I only did a handful of racquets.
Our uniforms have changed this year. White shirts instead of grey. The hoodies have not arrived in time so it looks like we will all be wearing bright orange Lacoste jumpers when it gets cold as it inevitably does in Melbourne.
We had Djokovic’s racquets in the room today. He is using gut mains and Luxilon Alu Power crosses at 27kg. His frame is painted up as a Head IG Speed 315 but it has an 18 x 20 string pattern and a different beam from a standard Speed 315.
We finished early and left the room around 6.30. We had a BBQ at Phil’s place. We do it each year and it is a good way to start the tournament. Phil has 2 courts at his place so it gives everyone a chance to hit some balls and demo the new Wilson racquets.
The BBQ wound up pretty early so I was back in the room by 10.30 and ready for bed by 11. Tomorrow will be a busier today.
Shane Mikic is the pro-shop manager for the Tennis Gear stores and their online store www.tennisgear.com.au in Brisbane. He has over 17 years racquet stringing experience and is currently part of the Wilson Global Stringing Team at the 2012 US Open. The following blog shares his experiences during his time in the Wilson Stringing room.
