July Journal

Every once in awhile on the road, the timing of a tour works out in your favor. Such the case for me this week when we rolled into London with a few days off during the last week of Wimbledon.

I am friends with the Bryan Brothers who are the number one Men's doubles team in the world. So, I was able to hook up with them and watch matches at the most prestigious of all Tennis tournaments, Wimbledon. The first day I saw both of them play in the semifinals of their mixed doubles matches. The second day I woke up to an e-mail from Mike Bryan telling me they had some court time at 12:00, and to grab my rackets and head on out to have a hit.... but don't forget your whites. In case you don't know, when you play at Wimbledon, you must be wearing all white. It is one of the many traditions here. I was obviously pretty excited to play, but buying an all white Tennis
outfit turned out to be a little more tricky than it would seem. Most outfits had color splattered all over the place, and so it wasn't until frantically searching my fourth store in busy Piccadilly Circus that I came across something that would work. I am sure they thought I was a little crazy emerging from the dressing room in full Tennis whites tearing the tags off as I stumbled up to the cashier. After hailing a cab, frustrated by moving at a snail's pace in traffic, I suddenly jumped out of the car and began running towards my destination, thinking to myself...... I am not going to miss out on this opportunity sitting in a damn cab! I finally made it, breathless, and just in time. I immediately found myself out on the Wimbledon grass being run back and forth by the relentless ground strokes of Mike Bryan. Somewhere in there I managed to win a game with a few lucky shots..... Or more than likely, he gave me a game while feeling sorry about my nonstop running.

After hitting, I watched the Williams Sister's final on center court. The only way to top my experience was watching Nadal and Federer play in arguably the best Tennis final ever the very next day. Then, heading straight from the match to a stellar sold out gig headlining the Hyde Park Festival. Oh, I almost forgot .... the night was not complete until I was walking off stage while collecting money from my bet on the final with Mr. Immergluck. Thanks David!

It has been an amazing couple of days here at Jimbledon. But now, I must come back to earth and finish this tour strong before heading back home.