Long-Life, US Open...(11/9)

Have been watching the US Open for the past few days - quite astonishing seeing the "retour" of many "aged" players winning the game and receiving the respect of clapping hands...The moment when Martina Navratilova played in semi-final of women's double or Andre Agassi won the ticket to Men's Final tonight are all proof of capability of more matured players in the nowadays' energy-consuming competition. The modern sports development, with programmed training scheme, enables young players to enter the top of the cream in most kind of sports, from soccer to tennis, from golf to swimming. The result of the development is a more demanding (edited as per reader's comment) requirement for sportsmen's physical condition, and the lifespan of players reduces when compared to decades before. Because of this, those long-serviced players who can still maintain a good performance in the competitive games become the idols of most audience and fans, and they play as a mythic role model for quite numerous supporters like us. If I remember correctly, there has been a tagline for a sports brand years ago, "never say no", and here comes the long life guru on the field! Long life, our knights.

Paris Tennis...(25/8)

This evening I had a tennis game for the first time in the court at rue des Cordelières in 13eme arrondisement...The location of the tennis court is more assessable and well, it is within walking distance to the China Town. Not a bad idea to go have some light Vietnamese food before a relaxing tennis game. This is a night in Paris. Here come also signs of a farewell to the lovely summer in Paris. An earlier arrival of moonlight on the sky and the chilly breeze are both witness to an embryonic autumn time...

Jouer le tennis...(12/7)

Finally I reserved a tennis court for the evening and picked up my racket again for the first time in Paris after my last game in January. Not many public tennis courts are available in Paris centre, and perhaps this is an indication about the scarcity of land in central Paris. It's too luxurious to have a tennis court in the centre. The closest public tennis court to my home is at the Jardin du Luxembourg, but as expected, booking a court in prime location like this is nearly impossible. The authority adopts a reservation system via Internet, and so simply the first reserver plays first. The court I got this time is at the Porte de Pantin in the 19eme arrondisement not far away from the Cite de Science, the far northeast of Paris area. Urban planning of Paris defines quite a clear border for Paris, and this boundary is usually marked by the peripherial network of roads and highway. Paris is actually surrounded by circulation and traffic. Intentionally assigned, sporting facilities can often be found in this kind of marginal area within Paris. Not coinciding with the fantasy of foreigners, public tennis courts here are yet upgraded to red clay surface, what a pity. Perhaps the experience can only be fulfilled at the Roland-Garros. 9pm is actually a good timing for tennis game in summer here, and we could have enjoyed the nice sunset and light wind during the game. A relaxing evening after work for some exercises, and after all, the rental fee is quite cheap. It costs only 6,5 EURO for an hour. Seeing all the courts to be occupied by the sports lovers, I understand why Paris would have the slogan of "Paris aimera toujours le sports". However, confirmed by the Mayor of Paris, the city would not compete for hosting the Game in 2016.

Three events in Paris last weekend...(6/6)

It was a relaxing weekend for me to enjoy and read, and these were the three events I have participated during the dizzy holiday...

Coupe de France - Sedan vs Auxerre (1:2)
There was not much coverage perhaps in Hong Kong about this match, but at the Paris Stadium, it was full-house. An interesting challenge for the Ligne 1 team Auxerre from Sedan from Ligne 2. This is exactly something we can never experience in Hong Kong. You will know how many people would support a Ligne 2 team if you were there. The challenger did not play bad actually, but their magnificent 2nd half goal made me believe that it would be an extra time match, but what a pity to Sedan, Auxerre managed to score in their last attack at the 90th minute that kicked away their opponent and won the Coupe de France 2005...Cool!!

Roland Garros 2005 - Men's Final
Nothing to say about the Women's Final, it's just moodless to see a 6:1, 6:1 match...but the men's final was really cool. Both Nadal and Puesta played so well and the match was really exciting!! As I say, the French Open should be the best choice for all the tennis fans!!

Paris 2012 Olympics Games Concert at Tour Eiffel
To support the city to organise the event in 2012, a concert was held last Sunday at Champ de Mars just next to the Eiffel Tower. A bit similar to the concert we have had in Victoria Park or the HK Stadium, but of course, the scale here in Paris was much bigger, and just one crucial point for the audience...the sound system on site was excellent...don't really understand why the events in Hong Kong have never a good system like this...this is not the first time I have had an experience on the great difference on the sound system standard in Hong Kong and in other metropolitan cities...