Practising is important to all of the WISPA pros but how many would
actually break into a court for a hit?
Rachael Grinham and Melissa Martin did so in
preparation for Grinham’s Hurghada
International semi final match tomorrow.
The morning started promisingly enough. Andrew Shelley had
given them a white ball and they strolled across to the glass court
sitting astride the promenade in the warm Red Sea sunshine only to
find that the court door was still locked. What to do? Wait for it
to be opened or climb over the back wall?
A plan was hatched. Grinham would be given a leg up by Martin and if
she could get out again then the obvious problem of getting stuck
would be averted. It worked, Grinham was in and out like an
accomplished cat burglar.
So over into the court went their bags and water (just in case they
were stolen and they couldn't give chase!). A passing policeman was
delighted to assist Martin over and into the court and the session
was played.
This is when the problem started. There was still no key and
although Rachael “Cat” Grinham could exit, Martin was wary of
teetering atop the glass and crashing down on the other side.
What to do now? In the absence of the arrival of the key it was
decided that the Cat should be cast in the role of messenger to
bring news to the oblivious event office. After the several minutes
that it took Shelley to stop laughing he mobilised the keymaster to
release the prisoner.
Having temporarily become a new Hurghada tourist attraction the
freed player told her highly amused fellow players that she was half
convinced that Grinham would leave her to languish there for the
rest of the morning.
“She offered to bring me lunch, but I wanted freedom!” was her
plaintive comment.
