So, I decided to check out the Yonex French Open 2024 this year. Heard it was happening and thought, why not? Haven’t seen top-level badminton live in ages. Getting tickets wasn’t too much hassle, just went online and grabbed one for a day session.
Getting There and Settling In
On the day, I got up, had my usual breakfast, nothing fancy. Made my way to the station and hopped on the train. It was reasonably busy, folks heading all over. Got off near the arena and walked the rest of the way. You could already feel a bit of a buzz, you know? People with rackets, families heading in the same direction.
Finding the entrance was easy enough. Got through the check, scanned my ticket, and went inside. It’s always a bit different being inside these big venues. Found my block, walked up the stairs, and located my seat. The view was actually pretty good, could see the courts clearly.
Watching the Action
Sat down and just soaked it in for a bit before the matches started. Players were warming up, officials were getting ready. Then the games began. Honestly, watching it live is something else compared to TV.
Things I noticed:
- The speed is incredible. How fast that shuttlecock moves back and forth.
- The sound! The ‘thwack’ of the racket hitting the bird, the squeak of the shoes on the court. It’s loud!
- Players move so fast, really light on their feet.
I watched a few different matches across the courts I could see. Didn’t really follow specific players beforehand, just enjoyed the games as they happened. Some were really close, back and forth points. The crowd got really into it sometimes, lots of cheering and clapping, especially for the local players. It definitely adds to the whole feeling.
After a couple of hours, I felt a bit thirsty, so I went and grabbed a drink. Stretched my legs a bit. Wandered around the concourse for a short while, saw the merchandise stands, but didn’t buy anything. Headed back to my seat to catch another match or two.
Heading Home
Stayed for a good few hours, saw plenty of action. Decided to head out mid-afternoon before the big rush. Walked back to the station, feeling pretty good. It was a nice way to spend the day. Just enjoying the sport, the atmosphere. Glad I made the effort to go. Simple as that, really. A good day out watching some fantastic badminton.
