I thought, they're here!! And a girl told
me I was right, and Arantxa was about to arrive for lunch. I was waiting
a long time and finally, I saw Arantxa!!!! I couldn't believe it. I was
very nervous. She signed me an autograph and I was taken a photo
with her.
I told her: wow, it's incredible. You have
fans everywhere, for example in Pakistan (it was because of you, Bushra
:-)). She told me: yes, you're right. I can't believe it, but everyone
seems to love me everywhere I play. My sister asked her when she
played and another girl talked to her about
her dog.
Finally she went to the hotel. I was waiting
for Magüi Serna (I had to talk to her about a personal thing) and
later for Conchita. Finally I went into the hotel
and there was Conchita. She signed me an
autograph and Arantxa was with her!!! They were talking about sportshoes,
and Arantxa wished her good luck. I was
taken a photo with them.
I went to see the matches.
The first match: Conchita-Magüi: 6-1,
6-1. Oh, poor Magüi!!! I wanted her to win, although I also like Conchita,
but it wasn't Magüi's day, and it was
Conchita's day (her drive, incredible)
And later, Arantxa!!!! The match began awfully
for Arantxa, and I realised that Arantxa was ill, something in her stomach.
She was complaining about it
all the time. Her rival, Gala León
(she had defeated Mª Antonia, who was also ill) was playing in a great
way, a great match, running all the time, with
incredible drives and backhands, and....
Suddenly, Gala was winning 4-1, but Arantxa reacted: 4-4, but the problems
went on. Gala won the first set 7-6 (7-5)
and then was when I knew that Arantxa was
going to retire. She was playing quite well, but she was feeling so bad!!!
She called for the doctor sometimes, even she went to the toilettes. 2-1
in the second for Arantxa and she called the doctor. The doctor said to
her, you can't play that way, and Arantxa retired.
Everyone started to wisthle, because everyone
wanted Arantxa-Conchita in the final, but it wasn't possible.Anyway, it
was a great day for me, and Arantxa has
said that she will continue playing for
three years!!!!!!!
Pictures of Cristina with Arantxa and Conchita
are in the Photo Gallery under Spanish
Campionships.