2005 fan experiences

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Cinci Masters
Fan Experience

By: Matt Fitzgerald

            It was Thursday, August 18^th. I had been in Cincy for a few days and had seen everyone practice, except my favorite player Lleyton Hewitt. I arrived at the courts at 9 am and stood by the player’s entrance. In previous days, I had been successful in getting autographs, including ones from Andy Roddick and Marat Safin. I wanted an autograph from Lleyton so bad, so I waited. He was scheduled to practice at 11:30 and it was now 11:00. His parents and sister Jaslyn walked in, but there was no sign of Lleyton. I thought, “Man he probably got here early so he would miss the crowd.” I was about ready to leave at 11:15 when he and Bec walked through. I figured he wouldn’t sign since he was cutting it close to his practice time. But he did and I was so stupid to not pull my tennis ball out. My heart was racing. Was that my lone chance to get Lleyton’s autograph? I headed over to court 4 since the board said he would be practicing there. In addition, Andy Roddick was supposed to be on court 5 at the same time. I camped out at court 4 and there was a family of two boys, with their mom and grandma. The younger one also idolized Lleyton and wanted his autograph. I kept checking my phone for the time and right at 11:30, Lleyton came with Roger and his family. To my surprise, he signed my tennis ball (and the kids’ jumbo ones). We told him thank you and then said, “You are our favorite player.” We all watched him practice for twenty minutes. It was so great to see him up close and in person. I snapped so many pictures. After his first five minutes went by, I thought of getting a picture with Lleyton. So did the mother. We were so mad because we hadn’t thought of it sooner. More people came over to watch; most went back and forth with him and Roddick to see which would go off first. By the time Lleyton finished, there were easily 50-100 people waiting. We felt our chances of getting a picture with him were slim to remote. Right before he came out the gate, I persuaded the younger son of the family to ask him for a picture. Lleyton took it with him and did an adorable pose. Lleyton started to walk and then I said, “Can I please get a picture?” He smiled and said sure and we turned to the grandmother who kindly took it. I was beaming so much. You can definitely see it in the picture. It certainly made my day and the tournament. Lleyton then went out and smashed another favorite of mine, Mario Ancic, 6-1, 6-4. It was a great day. 

By the way, I saw Lleyton the next day and I wanted him to sign the picture of me and him so I could frame it. I didn’t think he would do it since he might remember I had already got his autograph. He again surprised me by signing mine first and then only signing three other autographs. So to all those people who say he isn’t good with fans, you’re wrong! You just have to give him a chance and don’t give your hopes up. 

Here is a list of all the autographs I obtained. I am one lucky guy. Besides Roddick, everyone that I got multiple autos from are ones I had sign the picture of me and them after I already had their autograph.