THE TENNIS

Every year the Australian Open happens in Melbourne. An Aussie friend was explaining to me that it is the religion of many Australians. Leading up to the Open, every TV series ad talked about all the new episodes that would happen after "THE TENNIS." I thought this was kind of funny, until I realized that is how every media outlet refers to the tournament. Then it was funnier.

THE TENNIS is on the TV every place I've been the last couple weeks, except places that don't have TV (like work and my house). Doctor's office, restaurants, train stations... the other night I was walking past Federation Square (a large open air courtyard near the river and Flinders St Train Station) and there were all these folks sitting on the ground staring in the same direction, but there wasn't a band or an entertainer, as is often the case in Fed Square. Then I realized they were watching THE TENNIS on what looked a bit like a large bedsheet stretched across the stage pillars. Seeing people watch TV without knowing what they are doing is sort of creepy.

I had a friend visit this weekend who took the time to figure out the TV left for my use by my landlord. So we pulled the dining room chairs over and watched THE TENNIS in my apartment. (My furniture is still trapped at the shippers.) We were watching the women's finals on Saturday night: Azarenka from Belarus vs. Li from China. At some point, Li challenged a call. The chair umpire responded in what I was convinced was Mandarin. I thought, "How lovely that the official speaks the language of the players. That TOTALLY wouldn't happen in the US." After a minute's thought about the likelihood of that happening in tennis, (even THE TENNIS), I turned to my Aussie-born friend and said, "Did you understand what the official just said?" "Yes. She said Azarenka's ball had landed in." Evidently, I can't always translate the Aussie accent.

FYI, the dishwasher is my latest nemesis. Current standings: American in Australia: Love, Italian dishwasher in Australia: 40.