Roland Garros - first visit since 2008

[travlerajm]

I’m posting from my layover in the Madrid airport, after my red-eye from Brazil.

Looking forward to catching some in-person action at the red clay slam!

 

[LuckyR]

Very cool. Do you already have tickets?

 

[4UTRMoutet]

Wish I could come, I fear a low quality final is in order though.

 

[travlerajm]

Very cool. Do you already have tickets?

I have grounds pass tix so far. I’m going I can get into lenglen this morning with it.. we shall see.

Getting chatrier tix seems to require paying premium on a scalper site.

 

[LuckyR]

I have grounds pass tix so far. I’m going I can get into lenglen this morning with it.. we shall see.

Getting chatrier tix seems to require paying premium on a scalper site.

Be aware that scalped tix at RG are not technically valid (they're only valid for the original purchaser).

 

[travlerajm]

Be aware that scalped tix at RG are not technically valid (they're only valid for the original purchaser).

My wife and I were walking outside the RG grounds and passing the botanical garden yesterday afternoon after watching the second gentlemen’s semifinal yesterday. The Zverev-Mensik semi was just underway, when a scalper suddenly appeared from the shadows of the garden at the garden gate.

He had a dark ski cap, hadn’t shaved in 3 days, an accent I couldn’t place, maybe from somewhere in the Middle East or southeastern Europe. He had two henchmen with him.

‘Tickets? Tickets?’ He whispered as we walked by along the sidewalk.

‘To the zverev match?’ I inquired?

‘Yes zverev.’

You have 2-tickets next to each other?

‘Yes we have 2 seats together’

How much?

‘900 euros!’ interjected his buddy.

I turned and walked on.

‘Wait! Wait! My buddy was joking.’

I turned around to hear his pitch.

‘How about 300?’

I looked at my wife. She sneered at the price.

I shook my head and turned to continue walking.

‘Wait! Wait’ how much you want! Name your price!’

I looked at the wife. I asked her: would you pay 100 dollars to watch Zverev?’ She gave me a pained look.

I turned to the scalper trio and said ‘sorry, we’re going home.’

 

[travlerajm]

Be aware that scalped tix at RG are not technically valid (they're only valid for the original purchaser).

Btw I assume the modern nextgen scalpers are legit enough to be able to transfer the tix electronically, but I didn’t test it that far.

 

[travlerajm]

On Thursday night I bit the bullet and pulled the trigger on a couple of Chatrier seats together for today (Saturday) - bought it though tixvombo, which seems to be the most establish scalping site for the event. I paid about double retail, but it’s not possible to buy a pair of seats together off the official site.

The main objective of my RG trip was to watch the men’s doubles final in person, since I have a strong vested interest.

I’m guessing that once we get into the stadium, we’ll be able to migrate closer to the action, as I am dubious that the stadium will be filled. We shall see.

 

[travlerajm]

I should mention that the wife has been complaining about the RG event feeling ‘second rate’ compared to Wimbledon, after we attended the final weekend of the last two Wimby events.

Of particular concern for her is the extreme shortage of available restrooms. Both she and I had to wait in a 10-minute queue to use the only apparent public restroom on the grounds - yes I had to wait that long just for a urinal at the busy peak time before the zverev semifinal. The day before, when we were attending the first doubles semi at Suzanne-lenglen, we discovered the closest open public restroom was across the campus near Chatrier — not a good look.

 

[PhantomStriker]

On Thursday night I bit the bullet and pulled the trigger on a couple of Chatrier seats together for today (Saturday) - bought it though tixvombo, which seems to be the most establish scalping site for the event. I paid about double retail, but it’s not possible to buy a pair of seats together off the official site.

The main objective of my RG trip was to watch the men’s doubles final in person, since I have a strong vested interest.

I’m guessing that once we get into the stadium, we’ll be able to migrate closer to the action, as I am dubious that the stadium will be filled. We shall see.

How did RG handle the tickets for the night session? Money back? Full loss? Money back to original buyer?

 

[travlerajm]

How did RG handle the tickets for the night session? Money back? Full loss? Money back to original buyer?

Not sure. I didn’t purchase Chatrier tix for that day. But that’s either a lot of really pissed off fans or a big loss of revenue.

 

[PhantomStriker]

My fault, men‘s semis were on Friday.
Me and my family were there for the first time this year.(2nd round). Only complaint for me were the high prices on site and the fact that there was no espresso available in the evening.

 

[travlerajm]

My fault, men‘s semis were on Friday.
Me and my family were there for the first time this year.(2nd round). Only complaint for me were the high prices on site and the fact that there was no espresso available in the evening.

Did you try the 29-euro lobster roll?

 

[PhantomStriker]

Luckily I am on a diet, so didn‘t eat on site. But ice cream and merchandise for my son add up as well. French fries weren‘t great either apparently. But again, we loved the experience and I already requested an offer for a travel package next year. I am only 3,5 Hours away by train.