The Boodles 2013, 18-22 June - information and OOP

[Sallydaisy]

http://www.theboodles.com/images/boodles-logo.png

The Boodles Challenge
Stoke Park (Club and Hotel), Park Road, Stoke Poges, Bucks, SL2 4PG
Boodles Challenge Website: http://www.theboodles.com/
The Boodles on twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBoodles
Stoke Park Website: http://www.stokepark.com/

DATES: Tuesday 18th - Saturday 22nd June, 3 matches per day starting at 14.30pm
SURFACE: Grass (Centre Court and 5 practice courts)
FORMAT: 8 man knockout draw in theory.
In practice they accommodate various players so there may be 'alternates' at times.
Those who lose in the Quarter-Final are likely to play again later in the week.

EXHIBITION EVENT
The Boodles is an exhibition event played at Stoke Park, about 25miles from Wimbledon, and on an immaculate grass court with a 'garden party' atmosphere in a beautiful setting.

It attracts many of the top players because they can play here as well as fit in practice sessions at Wimbers easily. This year looks to be no exception ...

PLAYER LIST (subject to change at the last minute!) :-


Novak Djokovic: World No. 1 & 2013 Australian Open Winner
Tomas Berdych, World No. 6, & 2012 Open Sud de France Winner
Juan Martin Del Potro, World No. 7 & 2009 US Open Champion
Richard Gasquet, World No. 9 & 2012 Thailand Open Winner
Marin Cilic, World No. 11 2012 AEGON & Boodles Champion
Grigor Dimitorv World No. 28 2013 Brisbane Finalist
Milos Raonic World No. 16 2011 ATP Newcomer of the Year
Jerzy Janowicz World No. 23 2012 Paris Masters Runner Up
Sam Querrey World No. 20 2010 Queens Champion


Some other good reasons to go here?
Tickets are about 2/3 the price of Queens but they're selling fast - especially for Thur/Fri.
They are almost sold out of Stadium Passes on Thurs 20th June (£55) and Friday 21st June (£55). Plenty of places (200+) for Tues/Wed @ £43, and Sat 22nd June @ £55.00.

It's an 8 man knock-out competition this year (rather than Round Robin) but there are other matches each day, sometimes involving 'guest' players wanting a bit of match practice ahead of Wimbledon, so you see at least 3 good matches per day.

And Andy Murray has been here for 4 of the last 6 years for at least a day.
(2012, 2010, 2008 and 2007 but only to pose with his Tussauds dummy that year!!!)

http://www.theboodles.com/slideshow/feature25.jpg
(http://www.theboodles.com/)

[Linda]

Hope I can get to this again :)

Is it becoming more popular? A couple of years ago you could just turn up and get a ticket at the gate. Now a lot of tickets seem to get sold beforehand.

[patmoren]

I have just bought a Stadium pass for the Friday. Have never been before so thought I would give it a whirl.

[Sallydaisy]

Two more players signed up for The Boodles .....
Jerzy Janowicz
Sam Querrey


Is it becoming more popular? A couple of years ago you could just turn up and get a ticket at the gate. Now a lot of tickets seem to get sold beforehand.
Linda - 5/6 years ago (and long before that) they had more seating in the public stands (the long sides) but I guess with the recession they've opted to reduce the capacity and so it gets sold out quicker on Friday and Saturday.

I suspect you could still turn up on spec on Tuesday and Wednesday but it's worth phoning in advance. The prices have gone up a bit but I think a lot of people have simply clocked that it's a great place to watch the top guys in action - and of course Andy being there 4 out of the last 6 has helped.

Better check the wardrobe tomorrow to see what I might wear.
They discourage (it's a polite request not to wear) jeans/trainers/t-shirt combos and it's quite nice to go 'smarter' for a change although for me that'll still mean comfy shoes, plain trousers and a top/jacket/cardi ... and a brolly!!!

And a hat because there's no shade in the stands and if the sun is out it's much needed!!!
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x8/BudSpencer013/th_smiley_sun.gif

[Sallydaisy]

Crikey! The Boodles is sold out on all 5 days!!!
I'm sure I got tickets a day ahead for Tue/Wed a couple of years ago.
I've now got next Tuesday off so had thought of going along but there's no point if it's full.
:shocked:

It IS a very good field this year so I hope to see some good matches ...

[Linda]

It's been sold out for Wednesday for ages. I think I posted before that I was surprised as a couple of years ago I just turned up and paid at the gate. There are still a few tickets left for Eastbourne, though, so I'm wondering whether I might go there on Wednesday (obviously that would be a lot further for you to go, but it's about the same travelling time for me).

[Sallydaisy]

There are still a few tickets left for Eastbourne, though, so I'm wondering whether I might go there on Wednesday (obviously that would be a lot further for you to go, but it's about the same travelling time for me).
I've only ever been to Eastbourne for that DC weekend in July when we all stayed at the DaVinci Hotel. TBH from here the journey is a bit of a pain (about 2hrs) and having done the DC w/end I totted up petrol costs and potential ticket costs for the Aegon Intl and concluded that Boodles was a better deal but for me only because I live so close to the venue. So, I guess for you Eastbourne might make a nice day out if the weather is good!

[RoastLamb]

Just a question. I noticed Milos is entered for Eastbourne as a WC but he's also on the list here. Can he do both? :confused:

[Sallydaisy]

Just a question. I noticed Milos is entered for Eastbourne as a WC but he's also on the list here. Can he do both? :confused:
Yes ... but the ATP event now has to come first if they've given him a Wildcard at his own request. I read about the WC only this morning so it is a recent development and I'm just off to double check the information.
It's a definite - see article on LTA website here.
(http://www.lta.org.uk/fans-major-events/LTA-summer-grass-court-events/Aegon-International/News/2013/Raonic-Ward--Edmund-Awarded-Aegon-International-Wildcards/?issaved=true&DE_RND=274357027&id=78395&idkeep=true)
He's been on the Boodles list for a while now so playing there in a couple of exhibitions was obviously his original plan having (hopefully) got in a few proper matches in Halle. However, he lost in R1 there to Monfils and may have asked for a Wildcard to Eastbourne to get in 'competitive' match practice. In which case, having been awarded a WC, that's where he has to go next week because that's a privileged entry to an ATP tournament.

Boodles is an exhibition event so it isn't compulsory and if a player feels he cannot be there then the organisers, though sad, wouldn't prevent one of their planned players from going to an ATP event instead.

However, if Milos didn't get far at Eastbourne he could still play at Boodles back end of the week either in an exhibition singles or doubles. Ace Group, who run it, are very flexible and have, in the past, accommodated late requests from top players who want an extra match.

[Jane]

Is Andy playing at the Boodles this year? I didn't see his name on the list, but perhaps it wasn't up-to-date - or maybe my eyesight is failing!!

[Sallydaisy]

Is Andy playing at the Boodles this year? I didn't see his name on the list, but perhaps it wasn't up-to-date - or maybe my eyesight is failing!!
He's going to play at Hurlingham this year - just one match scheduled.
See thread here. (http://www.andymurrayfanforum.com/forums/showthread.php?1943-HURLINGHAM-(LONDON)-BNP-Paribas-Classic-(exho).-1&p=140305&viewfull=1#post140305)

[Jane]

Thanks Sally - I thought I had heard him say he was playing somewhere but didn't manage to catch the details.

[Helen40]

Apparently in Hurlingham instead.

[Sallydaisy]

OOP: Tuesday 18th June 2013

2.30pm
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) v Janko Tipsarevic (SRB)
followed by
Marin Cilic (CRO) v Aljaz Bedene (SLO)
followed by (not before 5pm)
Santiago Giraldo (COL) v Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)

Video stream (I think it's a fixed camera so not brilliant)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wKVjDWoicz4

erm, keeping track of the 'draw' at Boodles is a bit of a challenge in itself.
It isn't published for a start ... and they're likely to 'alternate' players too.
:hmm:

There are 4 names on the OOP who were not on the original player list.
Raonic probably won't make it to Boodles (because he's now top seed at Eastbourne) and Djokovic is more likely to play one of the 'extra' matches rather than feature in the 8 man knockout.

[Sallydaisy]

Pretty good line up at Boodles tomorrow ...
... featuring Dolgopolov who got knocked out in R1 at Eastbourne!
... and Berdych and Isner???


The Boodles ‏@TheBoodles (https://twitter.com/TheBoodles) 54m (https://twitter.com/TheBoodles/status/347000454510698497)
Order of play for tomorrow (Weds 19th) has just been announced:
Berdych v Sock,
Querrey v Gasquet,
Isner v Dolgopolov.
First match at 2.30

EDIT: REVISED OOP
Amended order of play for today:
Berdych v Dolgopolov, Querrey v Gasquet, Isner v Giraldo.
First match begins 2.30 BST

As I was saying ...........



erm, keeping track of the 'draw' at Boodles is a bit of a challenge in itself.
It isn't published for a start ... and they're likely to 'alternate' players too.
:hmm:

There are 4 names on the OOP who were not on the original player list.

[Sallydaisy]

Boodles OOP for Thursday ... wish I was going!!!


The Boodles ‏@TheBoodles (https://twitter.com/TheBoodles) 3h (https://twitter.com/TheBoodles/status/347410919711715328) Order of play for tomorrow (20th June):
Dimitrov v Djokovic,
Cilic v Tipsarevic,
Zverev/Zverev v Cerretani/Delgado.
Play starts 2.30 BST

[Linda]

Tipsy was replaced by Dolgopolov, so it would have been even better!

The doubles are on court at the moment - it's on the video stream.

[patmoren]

I'll be there tomorrow, rain is forecast so I hope that is wrong!!

[Linda]

Hope it's sunny and you have a great day!

[Sallydaisy]

OOP for Friday ...
... no Nole but we get DelPo up against Tricky Dicky, Jerzy Boy and Dimi and then Dolly and Sam!!!


The Boodles @TheBoodles (https://twitter.com/TheBoodles) Order of play for tomorrow (21st June):
Del Potro v Gasquet,
Janowicz v Dimitrov,
Querrey v Dolgopolov. First match starts 2.30 BST

[Sallydaisy]

Today was great fun!!!
:dance:

Tomorrow we'll be seeing ...

Order of play for Day 5: Saturday 22nd June 2013 (2.30pm start)

Viktor Troicki (SRB) v Sam Querrey (USA)
followed by:

Robin Haase (NED) v Thiemo de Bakker (NED)

followed by (not before 5pm):

Adil Shamasdin(CAN)/Rameez Junaid(AUS) v Jamie Delgado(GBR)/James Cerretani(USA)

[pabbers]

Weather permitting :wimbrolly: :crying:

[supergran]

After a gorgeous day yesterday today is a bit of a let-down. Hope you see some good tennis.

[Sallydaisy]

Ooooh, we watched tennis in the sun again!!!

Well, OK, the sun emerged for short spells BUT we weren't rained off as expected.
It was very overcast, windy and chilly most of the afternoon.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Weather-sun-clouds-some-rain.svg/45px-Weather-sun-clouds-some-rain.svg.png

It was pouring when we arrived at 2.15 but we went into the grounds around 2.30 and by then it'd stopped so they prepped the court and play started around 3.15. There was a brief 5mins of drizzle that caused people to put brollies up but the players carried on and it stopped so we saw a full match.

We thought we might have to sit through Querrey v Troicki before Haase (who we wanted to watch) played fellow countryman De Bakker. BUT once again they switched players around and put Haase v Troicki on first and that was a lot of fun 'cos there was plenty of banter between them and the audience.

Decided not to stay any later so Pabbers is now 'en-route' to Wales and I'm back home making a cuppa. (that might morph into a Pimms later ...)
:p

The 2nd match was due to start around 5pm (De Bakker v Zeballos) and then a doubles but I think if it rains they'll end play for the day after the singles.

There will be a Bleg later ....... (and yes, it's a bleg not a blog).
;)

[pabbers]

Home safe and sound - thanks, Sally for a fab 48 hours. The Crazy Bear in Beaconsfield just has to be Googled - check out the bedrooms! We stopped there for the most expensive cocktails known to mankind and I had to have my jaw strapped up looking at the surroundings..........just amazing!!!

Spoilt today as I really wanted to see Haase but for reasons that would have me banished to the shallow thread for ever :shamed: so the change of players was very welcome. Can't say Querrey was very animated yesterday so no great loss today.

And yes, Sally does mean a "bleg"
:lol:

[Linda]

You fancy Haase? Really?

[Sallydaisy]

Glad you got home OK Pat.
:thumbup:

I was told, on leaving, that they were going to play the 2nd singles match and then a doubles but Boodles twitter indicates only the doubles was played.

Jamie Delgado (GBR) & James Cerretani (USA) beat Adil Shamasdin (CAN) & Rameez Junaid (AUS) 10-5 in the final match of @TheBoodles (https://twitter.com/TheBoodles) 2013

[pabbers]

You fancy Haase? Really?

You fancy Rafa........really? :lol: Each to their own.

[pabbers]

Glad you got home OK Pat.
:thumbup:

I was told, on leaving, that they were going to play the 2nd singles match and then a doubles but Boodles twitter indicates only the doubles was played.

According to the Boodles website, Zeballos beat De Bakker 7-5, 6-4 so they must have played that one too.

[patmoren]

Thought I posted a bit on this thread after my visit to Boodles but it has vanished!!!

[Hawkeye]

You posted on traveller7's Queens blog page.

[cazza99]

You posted on traveller7's Queens blog page.
And I moved it to a thread of your own in the "Thanks for the memories" forum