Miami Blog

28 March, 2009 | 18:03

Pic: Getty Images

Hey everyone, hope you guys are well

I've spent the past ten days in Miami, and you know what, I still haven't gotten on the match court!

We start tomorrow against Rik de Voest and Bobby Reynolds.  I guess it’s a pretty good draw for the size of the tournament we're playing in, but it will be a tough match for us as both guys play good doubles.

Practice has been good so far although it has been constantly windy here which can get frustrating at times!

I have spent almost no time at the main site, which may sound weird, but it works out well. You don't feel stale before the tournament starts, and that can happen if you spend too much time in one place.

My friend Jules Rojer got into the doubles as an alternate and drew Nadal and Lopez. That was as good excuse as any to head down and watch, because with Rafa in town the atmosphere was great.

I think it’s pretty amazing that Rafa’s turning out for doubles in Miami. Really shows what type of person he is: he's helping his friend play the tournament (they needed a wild card) and he's throwing the tournament a bone by playing extra matches when really he doesn't need to play doubles at all.  For sure he's the only top guy playing doubles this week except maybe Tsonga.

Off court, It’s a great week to be Miami. There’s the winter music conference going on, so the worlds best DJ’s’s are in town to play sets at all the hotels and nightclubs in South Beach.  Then there’s the Ultra festival which is headlined by Tiesto and Prodigy; but that's a bit hardcore for me!  And if that’s not enough, they also have International Fashion Week going on, and an art exhibition so there's plenty to get your teeth into! 

Of course, I'm playing the tennis tournament so I haven't really been able to get my teeth into anything...except steaks at Novecento. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a seriously good Argentine restaurant. Go there any night and you’re guaranteed to see most of the Argentine and Spanish guys. Last night Nadal, Ferrer, Nalbandian, Calleri and Chela all turned up and pretty much offset the credit crunch. Definitely the place to go.

Wish me luck for the week!

Jamie