{"id":3379,"date":"2017-07-09T08:30:24","date_gmt":"2017-07-09T12:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=3379"},"modified":"2017-07-09T14:59:05","modified_gmt":"2017-07-09T18:59:05","slug":"roland-garros-qualifying-vs-wimbledon-qualifying-a-guide-for-tennis-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2017\/07\/09\/roland-garros-qualifying-vs-wimbledon-qualifying-a-guide-for-tennis-fans\/","title":{"rendered":"Roland Garros Qualifying vs Wimbledon Qualifying: a Guide for Tennis Fans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>For a tennis fan, attending a Grand Slam is an unbelievable experience&#8211;but if you really want to see courage, sadness, joy, and sorrow you have to go to the <strong>Qualifying events<\/strong>, not to the Main Draw ones.<\/p>\n<p>Grand Slams Main Draws are full of players that already did it, players that apart from Qualifiers, Wild Cards, and NextGens reached a stable role (especially from the financial side) in the ATP\/WTA Top 100, and you can easily see players that don\u2019t care much, that can tank or play injured only for the rich 1<sup>st<\/sup> round cheque (we had multiple examples of similar behaviors during Wimbledon&#8217;s first week).<\/p>\n<p>In the Qualifying events, players that have been struggling (most of them for years) financially to keep chasing the dream of the top 100 are aware that they are just three matches away from an amount of ATP\/WTA points and (above all) money that can make the difference for them for the rest of year. Especially the 3<sup>rd<\/sup>\u00a0 (and last) round matches are so crucial for the players&#8217; year (and maybe career) that the winners are absurdly happy and the losers have the worst feeling a tennis player can have, failing just a step away from Paradise.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Well done <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nastiaapotapova?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@nastiaapotapova<\/a> ! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SLjUoDV6f2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/SLjUoDV6f2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stefano Berlincioni (@Carretero77) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carretero77\/status\/880780911117316096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 30, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Well done also to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/steftsitsipas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@StefTsitsipas<\/a> in Wimbledon Main Draw <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DNTkuZbuR8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/DNTkuZbuR8<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stefano Berlincioni (@Carretero77) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carretero77\/status\/880481363572535296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why I love attending Grand Slams Qualifying but I have never attended a Grand Slam Main Draw match: you can get much closer to players and their emotions&#8211;that inevitably become your emotions.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"und\" dir=\"ltr\">Seeee <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/stetone91?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@stetone91<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bXJ4fZBPYH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/bXJ4fZBPYH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stefano Berlincioni (@Carretero77) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carretero77\/status\/880469530518183936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 29, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>As I am European I have only two Grand Slams quite close, and after two years in a row in Paris, this year I decided to switch to London, for the Wimbledon Qualifying event that (for those that are unaware) is not held at Wimbledon but at the Bank of England Sports Center in <strong>Roehampton<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The goal of the article is to show the difference between Roland Garros and Wimbledon\u00a0events so that in case you decide to attend one (which I <strong>strongly recommend<\/strong>) you may have more info.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Local Transport<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Both events are quite far from city center, but with Metro\/Train\/Bus you can reach them without too much trouble. I suggest anyway to book a hotel\/rent an apartment quite close to the tournaments so that you can reach them with a nice walk. In Paris I found a few really nice apartments about a five-minute walk from the courts, while in Roehampton this year I had a room in a very nice pub\/hotel with some great food an live music. The trip to the Bank Of England Sports Centre included a nice walk through Richmond Park, a wonderful park full of deer.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Food<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Roehampton food was quite disappointing: just one self-service restaurant with little choice and a couple of shops with snacks and drinks. Paris has a bigger offer as you can have ice cream, burgers, salads, pizza, sandwiches, crepes\/waffles, but the quality is not great and the food is expensive. if you are a mad fan as I am, be prepared to forget to eat until dinner at the end of the day and maybe bring some snacks with you from home.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weather<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In both events you really need to have an umbrella with you, and especially in Paris you can have some big swings in temperature and weather in the same day. I have had rainy hours in every Qualifying week I attended. Just be ready to wear just a t-shirt but you better have a jacket or a hoodie with you just in case.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Removing court 11 cover <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/z9WwkjRhXj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/z9WwkjRhXj<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stefano Berlincioni (@Carretero77) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carretero77\/status\/879721983830786049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 27, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Seats<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Here Roland Garros beats Wimbledon 6-0 6-0. Roehampton courts basically have no seats, apart from the televised court 11 and a few more courts where people can watch from hills; otherwise be prepared to stand all day long, and it\u2019s not very fun when you have to do this for 4-5 days in a row. Every Roland Garros court has a decent number of seats as they use the same courts for the Main Draw matches. On the other side, you have to wait until a changeover to enter the stands in Paris, while in Roehampton no one cares at the court entrance and you can walk from court to court whenever you want (of course you are expected to behave correctly and not to disturb the players).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Merchandising<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you want to buy some original cap\/t-shirts from the event, you can do it only in Roland Garros (and of course it\u2019s very expensive). Roehampton, as it\u2019s not \u201creally&#8221; Wimbledon, does not have any official merchandising shop but this year during a couple of days of the Qualifying Event there was a Grand Sale held by the ITF, where you could buy some ITF stuff\u00a0at very cheap prices&#8211;from ITF Officials T-shirts and caps to the ITF Rulebook, from chips for 64-player draws to an ITF plug adaptor.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Look how generous they were, also the travel adaptator <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/A5rLoC82s1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/A5rLoC82s1<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stefano Berlincioni (@Carretero77) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carretero77\/status\/880157985879797760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 28, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Atmosphere<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Roehampton\u2019s appeal cant be beaten<\/strong>: as soon as you enter the club you realize you are in a sort of dream, with grass everywhere. Paris is also fascinating but you feel that it\u2019s similar to every other tournament, just way bigger. In Roehampton you can see players warming up in the immense grass field a few centimeters from you and player lounges are very close to the public, while in Paris the players&#8217; lounge is much more separated from the public.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Another dream came true <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Wimbledon2017?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Wimbledon2017<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/qualies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#qualies<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UHNZKXFkDd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/UHNZKXFkDd<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stefano Berlincioni (@Carretero77) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carretero77\/status\/879276883287961600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 26, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Personnel<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Here <strong>Wimbledon<\/strong> gives back the double bagel to Roland Garros: the ticket validating and security crew are so gentle that you will pass hours talking to them while they are checking your ID or inspecting your bag, they are really part of the magic atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>The French ones are absurdly rude and make you out uncomfortable all the time.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Bad start of the day, today they didnt allow me to bring my camera lens inside: no problem yday and last year&#8230;today problem<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stefano Berlincioni (@Carretero77) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carretero77\/status\/732480321359241218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 17, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Contact with players<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In Paris you can get quite easily close to players after their matches but in Roehampton (mainly because of the absence of stands) you can get super close even during matches&#8211;you can really feel every emotion and take superb photos.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">How cannot you love being here even before tennis starts? You can smell tennis everywhere, I am as happy as a child on Christmas <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/2zzrGsmLLI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/2zzrGsmLLI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stefano Berlincioni (@Carretero77) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carretero77\/status\/880725889318875136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 30, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ticketing and Prices<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This year was the first one as ticketing event for Wimbledon and they put a 1,000 tickes limit per day (I rushed to buy tickets online and it wasn\u2019t even sold out) for a cost of 5 pounds. It\u2019s safe to safe the club could contain a much bigger crowd. The Roland Garros event has always been ticketed at 20 euros per day ticket and you can easily buy them online or at the gates.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The number of matches<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Of course it\u2019s the same for both events and you can easily go insane because you can have up to 18 matches at same time and you can\u2019t really decide which is the best, so my tip is to go where you can see more than one court at the same time (you can do it in both events) and to check scores from time to time to switch to crucial phases of matches. Generally you have 64 matches the 1st day (men&#8217;s 1<sup>st<\/sup> round), 72 matches the 2<sup>nd<\/sup> day (48 women&#8217;s 1<sup>st<\/sup> round + 32 men&#8217;s 2<sup>nd<\/sup> round), 56 matches the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> day ( 24 women&#8217;s 2<sup>nd<\/sup> round + 32 men&#8217;s 2<sup>nd<\/sup> round), and 28 matches on the 4<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0and final day (12 women&#8217;s 3<sup>rd<\/sup> round and 16 men&#8217;s 3<sup>rd<\/sup> round): it\u2019s really an amount of matches that would make you forget to eat, drink, and even use the bathroom.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Toilets<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Speaking of which, Roland Garros toilets are clean, easy to find, and there are plenty so that you don\u2019t really need to queue. iIn Roehampton there is just one small toilet inside the restaurant and a few more in a sort of container close to entrance that has some terrible smell inside.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Moving from a match to another<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In <strong>R<\/strong>oehampton you can switch whenever you prefer and courts are so close that going from court 1 to court 12 (the furthest) takes only a couple of minutes and you can watch the match as soon as you arrive. In Paris, if the stands are packed you need to wait that some people leave and you can enter only during changeovers (as in every other ATP\/WTA tournament). Also, you may have to walk up to 6-7 minutes from the courts at opposite sides.<\/p>\n<p>All in all, I consider Wimbledon Qualifying as a better experience than Roland Garros Qualifying, and I can&#8217;t wait to attend US Open and Australian Open to judge the out-of-Europe way of organizing a Grand Slam Qualifying tournament.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For a tennis fan, attending a Grand Slam is an unbelievable experience&#8211;but if you really want to see courage, sadness, joy, and sorrow you have to go to the Qualifying events, not to the Main Draw ones. Grand Slams Main Draws are full of players that already did it, players that apart from Qualifiers, Wild [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1443,"featured_media":3109,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,3,2,5,4],"tags":[1315,1526,52,896,1525,304,21],"class_list":["post-3379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wimbledon","category-atp","category-featured","category-french-open","category-wta","tag-2017-wimbledon","tag-anastasia-potapova","tag-grand-slam","tag-roland-garros","tag-stefano-travaglia","tag-stefanos-tsitsipas","tag-wimbledon"],"modified_by":"Yesh Ginsburg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1443"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3379"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3379\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}