I Am Envious!

When my sister learned that someone she knew and my wife and I knew was flying to Dubai, she did not waste time and money and promptly sent us several text messages asking for this and that.

Then she goes, “pabili na lang nung Aido na sheen powder na orange and pink” (can you please buy me that Aido sheen powder colored orange and pink) and proceeds to tell us each color costs Php 60. Then she adds “kasi usherette ako sa tennis tournament dito” (because I’ll be an usherette here in Dubai for a tennis tournament.”

I ask my wife to text her if the tennis tournament was something major. My sister replied yes.

The envy began creeping.

When I got to the office yesterday, I opened the Net and looked at the schedule of tennis events over at Yahoo Sports. And lo and behold – Dubai Tennis Championships – which begins on Monday, February 19 and is a two-week tennis spectacle sponsored by Dubai Duty Free (my sis works there). The prestigious event will host the top men and women tennis players including my own faves Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin and Martina Hingis.

My sis, with the work she will be doing, will probably see the aforementioned tennis stars in person. In fact, because she does not have one inkling who the best current tennis players are, she will do some research on the Internet before the games just to make sure she identifies who is Federer, who is Nadal, who is Sharapova.

Envy is overtaking my body and soul. How I wish I could take her place and ask for autographs from these tennis gods and goddesses (Sharapova, most especially).

I developed a passion for tennis a few years ago, initially because of work and because of the beauties on court, especially Sharapova, Hingis, Daniela Hantuchova and formerly Anna Kournikova. However, I became enthralled as well with watching the raw power of the likes of Nadal and Roddick as well as the finesse and grace of the man they call the King of Tennis, Roger Federer.

Plus, a lot of new talents are emerging including recent Aussie Open runner-up Tommy Robredo and the young Marcos Baghdatis who will also be in Dubai for the tournament.

One of my personal dreams is to actually watch one of the Grand Slams before I die and see my favorite tennis stars in person.

Now, my sister gets a chance and you can just imagine how I envy her.

Photos were sourced from Yahoo Images, the original owners of the photos retain their copyright.