Two of the world's leading tennis players, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, took to a custom-made court to try their luck on a more challenging surface in the first ever game of tennis on water. The event took place Monday, March 24, 2008, atop Miami's new Gansevoort South Hotel overlooking South Beach on its first day of business.
The water-covered court was constructed in the 110-foot swimming pool set in the Gansevoort's exclusive 22,000-square-foot rooftop retreat. A specialist underwater team took five days to construct two invisible platforms at either end of the pool using a combination of bespoke acrylic sheets and supporting acrylic tubes.
Sony Ericssonhosted the revolutionary event to celebrate the start of this year's Sony Ericsson Open March 26 to April 6. The Sony Ericsson Open is the World's fifth largest tournament. It is the only 12-day tennis event on both the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour calendars. The Sony Ericsson Open features all of the world's top-ranked men and women players.
Defending Sony Ericsson Open Champion, Serena Williams, commented: 'It was a once in a lifetime chance to play tennis on water and it was great to be involved in a true world first. Playing against Rafa was a new challenge, but I think the surface helped to level the playing field - particularly as he volunteered to play at the deep end!'
Rafael Nadal commented: ‘I love playing on all surfaces, but this was different and playing against Serena made it even more special. Playing a game on water was a first for me, and I also liked the setting here in Miami overlooking the ocean since I love the sea."
1 comment:
LOL....omg I was JUST kidding around with a few friends the other week, saying that they should make water a new surface somehow, and look what happens!....hilarious.
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