What a day!

Some of my friends think being at Wimbledon is pure fun, and for the biggest part they are right, but then there are days where I have to be at three places all at once, juggling my time between coaching, supporting and moving through the masses of supporters. Today was such a day.

Let me give you a glimpse:

9:15 Quickly checking in at Elys to see if my blinds have arrived. Unsuccessful.

10:00 Jeff picks me up at the flat.

11:00 Starts practising with Jeff and his Doubles Partner, Jordan Kerr, at Aorangi.

12:00 Kevin Anderson starts his First Round Match at Court 17. Watches all four sets.

15:30 Interview with Hendrien Grove for Supersport.

15:45 Watch Natalie Grandin in her First Round Match. Only two sets. Enjoyed this with the South African Fed Cup Captain, Greer Leo-Smith.

17:15 Wesley Moodie starts his First Round Match. Watches four sets.

19:45 I move on to Rik de Voest's Match, with one set already completed.

21:45 Leave the grounds at the completion of the match. Lovely 20 minute walk home, starting with the 'small' hill in Church Street.

But this doesn't even cover half of what I experienced today.

Jeff practised at Court 22. It forms part of the six practise courts that is outside the Wimbledon Grounds. It is normally used by doubles players. But this is also the perfect venue for Murray to get away from the media frenzy that surrounds him this year. He arrived at the courts with his two fitness trainers and coach for his fitness session. He did all of the various exercises wearing a 7kg weight jacket. On the other side we noticed the paparazzi in and behind the trees, trying to capture tomorrow's front page. It all made me realise again that being in the public eye robs you of all of your privacy and freedom to move around freely.

All of this will only intensify for Murray if he succeeds to reach this year's final. And speaking to some old players and coaches, all of them are of the opinion that it's a two-man race this year: Federer and Murray!

I watched the Anderson match with particular interest. We are playing against India in September to gain entrance to next year's Davis Cup World Group. In this match I got to see both India's Nr 1 Singles and Nr 1 Doubles players. I certainly made some mental notes.

At the end of Day 3 only Wesley and Jeff is still involved in die Doubles Competition. Wesley, Jeff and Rick must all still play their First Round Matches in this year's Mixed Doubles Competition.

At this point I can share with you how players get together for the Mixed Doubles. Firstly, they don't play Qualifiers. The crucial criteria is that your combined ranking must be inside the top 48 teams to be accepted into the draw. Players do form partnerships over the years, but some of the lower ranked players sometimes have to make last-minute changes to improve their combined ranking.

In the past this competition had more room for some fun and informality. Some partners only met each other on court just before their first match. These days however, with more prize money at stake, things are more organized. In 1997, the year I played in the Semi-Finals of the Mixed, I approached my partner, the teen prodigy Martina Hingis, at the French Open. Having no relationship whatsoever, I asked her after my good friend Michael de Jongh enquired me about my choice of partner for the upcoming Wimbledon. Walking down the stairs, seeing Martina at the bottom, I replied "her" to him. He thought I joked and adamant to show my intention, I proceeded asking her there and then. She said yes and we went on to play together. That year she went on to win her first Wimbledon Singles Title at the age of 15. More about our time together later...

I must mention that Channel Simmonds, our Junior Girls, is through to the Semi-Finals at the Bank of England event. This, coming on the back of her Quarter Final appearance at the French Open, only bodes well for next week's Junior Wimbledon. Good luck Channel!

Tomorrow Jeff plays Doubles in the first match of the day and will want to take revenge, having lost against Zelenay at the French Open. Wesley will make his first appearance in the Mixed Doubles in the second match of the day and Rik is also on, but won't be playing before 16:30.

All of this means another full day for me. But listening to my JL's Mixed Winners at night, telling stories and sharing their highlights of the day, I just realize how privileged I am to be part of something this special. May this never change for me.