Brisbane blog

06 January, 2009 | 10:01

So my New Year celebrations were a non-event as I spent it sleeping on a plane to Dubai!  I don't think the pilot even announced that it was now 2009 to be honest!
 
We flew to Brisbane via Dubai with a touchdown in Singapore...it was an epic journey but made all the more easier when I handed over my boarding pass at Dubai only to be told I had been upgraded to first class!  LOVING THAT!!! 
 
I had my own cubicle so you could close the sliding doors when you wanted privacy, and a flat bed, not to mention the TV which was bigger then the one I have in my apartment!  I should also really mention the vast quantities of chocolate bars i had at my disposal!
 
So we finally arrived early on the 2nd of Jan and went straight to the hotel: couldn't check into the room, so we went for a stroll along the river and into the town. I took the chance to get a much needed haircut, although for a period of time I was seriously regretting it as the hairdresser spoke very suspect English..I had no idea what I was gonna end up looking like! 
 
I met Dusan later that day at the courts before I hit some balls with Alan. We were knackered, but needed to keep moving and active otherwise we would have been fast asleep!!  In saying that I crashed out at 8:30pm and continued this until only last night where I reached the dizzy heights of 10pm!!!
 
The following day it rained all day so we couldn't really do a whole lot: I hit the gym and obviously inspired Alan as he decided to lift some weights himself - first time for everything! Polished off a post workout protein shake just to give those muscles that little extra juice...
 
We practiced pretty hard the last couple days, trying to get used to the heat and also playing outdoors. We have been practicing early as I have been waking up at like 5am every morning...feels good to get out there and get it done when the day is only just beginning though.
 
All that practice must have paid off, as me and Dusan started off a new partnership with a win today, over Melzer and Knowle 10- 4 in a super breaker.  It probably wasn't the greatest match of all time but felt great to get the win in the 33 degree heat.  Next up we play Polasek and Parrot...probably tomorrow
 
The hotel we are staying at is apartment rooms based, so me and Alan have been taking advantage of the great kitchen...I have been cooking up some masterpieces - lamb and beef steaks - and Alan has been cooking his speciality.....cereal!  It's good fun to be able to cook your own meals and not have to eat too much of the food at the courts, which it has to be said is reaper!
 
Hope you guys celebrated the New Year in style and are looking forward to the year ahead!
 
jamie