Jenny, Vicki & Steve and I left our hotel to go to the one hosting the world championships…but world affairs have intervened (yes, there are way more important things going on here than a mere tennis tournament)…and just after 8pm the world championships were cancelled, just as the UK staff landed.
We had a good day till then…left our hotel around 10:15, arrived in the new one around 10:45, first guests. We had drinks (coffee and Coke Zero) while waiting for our rooms to be ready, ate some lunch, practiced on the very soft red clay, hint the gym, then convened at the restaurant.
Christina Kaus joined us around 7:30 or so, and many other players from the USA arrived around 9pm. Some, who were in Istanbul, just made arrangements to return home. Tomorrow we’ll figure out our options and fit in some tennis.
The worlds may or may not be rescheduled…this is not the first time the world championships have been cancelled and then rescheduled (see Turkey, 2016), but who knows what the options are.
It’s calm here, seems very safe, guards at the gate and the people here are so very nice. This has to be disaster for the people working here too, as the hotel was probably otherwise empty except for the players. I hope everyone gets home or elsewhere in Europe safely soon.
Sorry to hear that, Carolyn! I know the anticipation and preparation that goes into playing at the Worlds. Let’s hope that matters get resolved sensibly soon.
Be safe.
Gwenda
I was going to text you about going to Turkey-with the world in the middle of the actions going on I was afraid for your safety! Get home safely-all of you!🙏🙏🙏❤️
NATO intercepted an Iranian rocket headed to Turkey.
Yes we know.
Hoping the option to just stay for the reserved time and maybe have informal tennis tournament play evolves – a vacation at that wonderful facility is not a terrible alternative versus just traveling back home as a total swing and a miss.
Yes, some people are staying for the entire two weeks some people for just one week. But everyone has their comfort level with travel, disruptions, and I respect that
the good that might–hopefully– come from this is that someday, actual PERSIAN women may be able to display their legs and hair and compete in tennis tournaments.