I am here in the Monterey/Carmel/Pebble Beach area (anyway you look at it, it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the world.) I drove up through the San Fernando and Central Valleys from San Diego, a long drive but uneventful. I picked up my doubles partner, Tracy Viebrock, at the Monterey Airport yesterday. She flew in from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

We drove most of 17 mile drive, on a sunny day, and through the quaint town of Carmel and had a very light practice at the Chamisal Tennis Club, nestled in a valley between Seaside and Salinas. The weather was perfect, 70s and sunny.

Today we had a good doubles practice. The loud humming we kept hearing was from the Laguna Seca racetrack nearby. We caught up over lunch with friends from around the country. Rita Price, 85, is one of the most energetic people you will ever meet…there are 9 singles players in the 85s, up from 2 the past few years. After a light after lunch practice, we hit the grocery store (the Safeway in Seaside is actually more like a Whole Foods than a grocery store).

Tomorrow we’ll have a light practice and get ready for play on Tuesday. The draws have changed slightly due to the withdrawal of the #4 seeds, Sherri Bronson.

Here’s a link to the draws: http://tennislink.usta.com/tournaments/Draws/TournamentDraws.aspx?T=95534

This is the Lone Cypress at Pebble Beach on 17 mile drive.