Andy/Jamie vs Hijikata/Peers - Thursday 3.30 pm approx

Taken me a few days to recover and process but I made it into Centre Court for Andy's send-off. I had Centre Court tickets for Mon, Tues & Weds but of course it was Thursday before Andy made it onto court so I queued for a grounds pass from 5.45am. Fortunately Thursday was the best day of weather this first week, so queuing was ok. I was 4611 in the Queue and by 7am it had reached 10,000. Got into the grounds at about 11.30 and went straight to the Resales Booth. They've moved it slightly to being right behind Court 18, rather than the back of the Hill. The Resales Queue is now a virtual queue, and a great improvement. I was expecting to have to join another long line, but there were only a few ahead of me. They scan your Wimbledon App, and then you fill in which court you want, whether you want a single or pair of tickets and give your mobile number. The App then tells you where you are in the Resale Queue. I came in 1318 so thought I had no chance even though the doubles would be later in the day so I went and found a good spot on the Hill. Nice day in the sunshine watching on the big screen. :strawberry:

Thanks to Jacob Fearnley for stretching Djoko to a 4th set as it gave more time for people to leave and my number on the App started to go down. By the time Iga came on court I was about 1000 in the queue. When the 1st set of her match finished the numbers were going down nicely. By the time Andy & Jamie came on court I was 647...still not hopeful. As the 1st set was moving towards the TB I was 246 in the Queue but suddenly my phone pinged and I had a text to say my ticket was available. I scooped up my blanket etc and hot-footed it to Resales. There was a short line then I was at the booth. The lad on the ticket booth, said 'single for Centre Court.....it's a good'un' and printed my ticket. Block 102, row G. Right on the baseline. I zoomed over to Centre and was under the court while they played the TB, then up into the stands for the start of the 2nd set.

WHAT A SEAT! I was right in front of where Sue spoke with Andy. It was so emotional and not ashamed to say the tears rolled down my cheek :crying::crying:. While I would have loved Andy & Jamie to win, I was so lucky to be there for the farewell ceremony. There was so much love for Andy and I'm sure he felt it. Pretty sure that if Jacob hadn't nabbed that set I wouldn't have got in, so thanks to him for helping it to happen :thumbup:

Glad you managed to get in to see Andy lovetennis.

What a lovely tribute it was. Was on Centre Monday and Tuesday but home by Thursday so watching on tv. A lovely mix of emotion and humour. That hug between Andy and Jamie at the end.... As Matt Roberts on The Tennis Podcast so aptly said, "We aren't just saying goodbye to Andy, but to who we are as his fans and the investment in him over the years." It's been quite the ride - and lovely sharing it with you all.