Yesterday, Sunday, was a gorgeous day on the Italian Riviera. I practiced early with Gail Benedetti and Reinhilde Adams who were nice enough to let me crash their practice. I played at 8:30 against another Italian Michelina Valente, who was unseeded but beat the #2 seed in three sets on Saturday. I watched a set of that match, enough to get an idea of what to do (and not to do) when I played her. She has a big forehand and really whacks the ball, but also has nice drop shots. I played my best match of the week and won the title…so I am the Italian Champion for 2023. We received nice plaques with a photo of the club on them (and some euros).
After changing and repacking my bags for train travel, I watched the 70s women’s final which Pauline Fisher won 60 75 over Adams. Pauline played a great first set and a calm second set, playing within herself. Andrew Stanley and Ann Stanley from the USA (Andrew is British) won the 70 mixed.
Then it was time to catch my train to Milan, and then a second one to the airport. I was a bit nervous as I have of course too much luggage and there was an assigned seat on the first train, but there was also an announcement as to where the wagon I was assigned to would be. I made it on the train, had a nice three hour rest on the way to Milan Centrale. There I changed trains to the airport train, and I had plenty of time, and a place to store my luggage. I was lucky I was traveling on Sunday…two days earlier there was an all day train strike in Italy.
The train arrived directly at Terminal 1 in Milan Malpensa airport (there are three airports in Milan). My hotel was only a few feet from where the train stopped, in Terminal 1, which was quite nice.
Today, Monday, I’m on my way back to the USA after an early morning workout (the view of the snow covered mountains in the distance was beautiful) and breakfast. The departures are on level #2…unfortunately, the escalator and one of the two elevators that go to level 2 were out of commission (it is Italy after all). I went to level 1 and made it onto the elevator as it was going down, which turned out to be much faster than waiting on the arrivals level.
The check-in area is pretty utilitarian in the Milan airport but after security, it was full of high end, mostly Italian stores…Prada, Ferragamo, Bulgari and more. Passport control was automated (other than getting an exit stamp) and quick.
And that’s a wrap on this USA/Turkey/European trip…more soon. Thanks for following along. jh
Sounds like you had a great time!
I have been reading your blog for a few months. I find it absolutely fascinating and very interesting. I have so many questions about this unique tennis travelling life you live. I was just listening to an Hollywood podcast today and they were talking about how many movie actors and film crew and staff treat flying to film locations as hanky -panty party time. They’re in new cities and towns with paid-for hotel rooms and they are alone and bored and looking for fun while they’re separated from their lives and spouses/partners and family stresses. I don’t see you address anything like that so far, I have started to go back to read some of your older blog posts. I was wondering there must be some tennis players who take advantage of exotic locales and nice hotel rooms, and y’all look physically fit with obvious stamina, nicely tanned from the sun and ready to rumble. I was imaging there must be the some of the same wild abandonment and taking advantage going on at these tennis tournaments. Are most players single or travel with their wife or husbands? Are there known Playboys running around flirting and hitting on anyone in skirts that people just groan and roll their eyes whenever they see that one old guy show up? Are there groupies catting around the back courts? Are there #metoo simmering issues in your industry? I hope your flight back to the USA goes smoothly. Love all the photos you post like the food ones. I get a kick out of your grocery runs commentary and food observations.
I have been reading your blog for a few months. I find it absolutely fascinating and very interesting. I have so many questions about this unique tennis travelling life you live. I was just listening to an Hollywood podcast today and they were talking about how many movie actors and film crew and staff treat flying to film locations as hanky -panty time. They’re in new cities and towns with paid-for hotel rooms and they are alone and bored and looking for fun while they’re separated from their lives and spouses/partners and family stresses. I don’t see you address anything like that so far, I have started to go back to read some of your older blog posts. I was wondering there must be some tennis players who take advantage of exotic locales and nice hotel rooms, and y’all look physically fit with obvious stamina, nicely tanned from the sun and ready to rumble. I was imaging there must be the some of the same wild abandonment and taking advantage going on at these tennis tournaments. Are most players single or travel with their wife or husbands? Are there known Playboys running around flirting and hitting on anyone in skirts that people just groan and roll their eyes whenever they see that one old guy show up? Are there groupies catting around the back courts? Are there #metoo simmering issues in your industry? I hope your flight back to the USA goes smoothly. Love all the photos you post like the food ones. I get a kick out of your grocery runs commentary and food observations.
These are tournaments for older players. So no groupies of which I am aware. There are a few players who elicit comments but it’s a relatively small community and a friendly one.
Most of us pay for our own hotels each week. Sometimes the prize for winning one year is a free hotel the following year.
I love all the different grocery stores too. Have my favorite foods in each country which I look forward to eating. German bread, carrot salad in France, pita and pilaf in Turkey, fish in Spain and Portugal…
Another great trip ! I love living vicariously through your descriptively detailed travel blogs 🙂 Xx Sid
Thanks Sid!