Right Place, Right Time
Frenchmen Arnaud Clement and Sebastien Grosjean were dining out together, preparing to play qualifying in Sydney, when they received a phone call that changed all their plans.
The ATP Tour told Clement a spot had opened up for him in the main draw at the Heineken Open if he wanted it and, by the way, Argentine David Nalbandian wouldn't be needing his wild card either.
Across the table, Grosjean's eyes lit up. Pretty soon, a deal was struck and the two friends were on a plane across the Tasman to prepare for their opening round matches.
"It is very exciting to be here and play in a new country for me," said Clement (32), runner-up to Andre Agassi at the 2001 Australian Open and now ranked 63rd.
"And I'm very happy to be here with Sebastien."
The two veterans are obviously close ... Clement is godfather to Grosjean's son.
When Clement made his Aussie Open run in '01, he needed five sets to overcome his pal in the semis, the first of three Grand Slam semifinal appearances for Grosjean that year.
Grosjean (31) has actually visited Auckland before. He was eliminated in the first round of qualifying in 1997 and he has no good memories of his short stay.
"It's a long time to be back in New Zealand. I try to enjoy myself on the tennis court after so many years travelling and playing tournaments."
The diminutive right-hander has glimpsed his tennis mortality after undergoing shoulder surgery in 2008. He has played very little tennis in the past two years and after peaking at No4, his ranking is now 677th.
"I am feeling much better," he said. "There is no pain, so I try to come back and play one more year.
"Of course, when you have shoulder surgery, it is never easy to come back, especially when you turn 30.
"They tell me 4-6 months, but I still have pain for nine months ... can't serve or play. You really think how lucky you are to play tennis."
Grosjean and Clement certainly pull no punches on the practice court, and as the Heineken draw progressed, it seemed they might even wind up facing each other again in the first round.
Eventually, they landed one line apart - Grosjean faces another latecomer to the main draw, German Florian Mayer, while Clement has a tough showdown with fellow Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.
