Tag Archives: US Open

Hat trick

Posted on August 31, 2017 | Leave a comment

If you’ve been watching the US Open Championships this week, you probably recognize this guy:

Denis Shapovalov, phenom from Canada

I first saw him beat Rafa Nadal a few weeks ago in a tournament in Montreal. Now he’s cutting a similar swath through the men’s bracket at the Open.

I’m pulling for him.

But I am distracted by his hat. It is always cinched so tight.

I have to wear caps like that at the widest possible position. Some don’t fit me at all. Which begs the question…

How small is Denis’ head? And how big is mine?

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Posted in Automobiles, Celebrities, Commentary, Humor, Sports, Television, tennis

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An arm and a leg

Posted on September 5, 2016 | Leave a comment

I just spent three days at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, my 10th consecutive year among the sport’s best and brightest at the US Open.

Although I’m tired from the trip, I returned home with all my limbs intact. 

Unfortunately, many of the top players in the men’s draw can’t say the same thing. 

In all my years faithfully watching professional tennis,  I have never seen so many walkovers and retirements. And the fact that they predominate in the men’s tour makes me question the best-of-five format.

The ladies play best-of-three in all tournaments,  whereas the men play best-of-five in all majors and many masters classics. The sport continues to become more physically demanding, and over the course of the year, these long matches can really takes their toll.

I love watching tennis; I hate watching men in tears as they are forced to withdraw due to injury.

The USTA pays men and women equally as they should — why not require them to play the same amount of tennis?

Who knows…it might lengthen some tennis careers and will definitely make the current tournaments more competitive. 

Just one fan’s point of view…

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Posted in Commentary, Health, Humor, Life, New York City, Sports, tennis

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Seeing pink

Posted on September 13, 2015 | Leave a comment

It’s the US Open Men’s Championship.   Djokovic is playing Federer.  All is right with the world.

Almost.

rogerfederHave you spied Roger’s gear for this year’s tourney?  His tennis whites are outlined in bright poppy pink.

Even his tennis shoes are dyed this neon bright color.

Eww.

I’m not a fan of pink, but this isn’t an issue of personal preference.

The hot pink is an unusual choice, and I’m wondering if it was psychological. Did Roger’s team hope that the color would have its rumored effect of sapping his opponent’s strength?

stan wawrinka

Stan Wawrinka wore a similar hue in his triumphant run earlier this year at the French Open — in plaid shorts, no less.

Hmmm….

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Posted in Celebrities, color, Design, Fashion, Humor, Sports

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US Open haiku

Posted on September 7, 2015 | Leave a comment

Go, underdog, go
I cheered today, but alas
Only Kevin heard.

image

#USOpen

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Posted in Humor, Life, New York City, Sports, Television, tennis, Writing

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I got a little color

Posted on September 4, 2014 | Leave a comment

Another day in the bright sunshine at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has left me happy, hot and headed for the couch where I intend to be a slug all night.

This is a slug.

slug
Who knew being lazy could look so good?

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Double the fun

Posted on September 2, 2014 | Leave a comment

I spent nine hours today at the US Open tennis tournament — the hottest day this year in New York City.

Thank goodness I had a big hat.

During that time, I watched a lot of tennis, both singles and doubles, on all three major courts at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center.

My pick for the match of the day?

bryan brosThe Bryan Brothers win on the Grandstand

It was moved from Louis Armstrong because the Cilic / Simon match ran five sets.  And as soon as word got out, people started streaming into the smaller court where every seat is a great seat.

Five guys had appointed themselves cheerleaders for the Bryan Brothers and periodically treated the crowd to custom cheers that always got a huge ovation. The challengers, Verdasco / Marrero, had their fans, too; I would just need a translator to tell you what they were saying.

The first set was classic Bryan Brothers, a quick 23-minute hold. But the momentum shifted in the second set, and Ver/Mar claimed it.  The third was back and forth until the Bryan Brothers got the break.

I’m pretty sure our crowd could be heard throughout the Tennis Center.

Doubles deserves much more respect.

 

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Posted in Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Sports

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Sweat happens

Posted on August 31, 2014 | Leave a comment

Play was suspended earlier today at the US Open due to heavy storms and lightning in the New York City area.  It brought to mind the question:

Don’t tennis players know their outfits are going to get wet?

Not from rain.  From sweat.

Today was the most humid day of the tournament by far, and the players — male and female alike — were drenched, their clothes reduced to near transparency.  Which begs a second question:

Do they consider this possibility when they chose colors?

wozniackiMaria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki, who played earlier this afternoon, wore light grey and tan respectively in their afternoon match.  After just one or two games, I could have sketched an anatomically correct map of not only their undergarments, but also any birthmarks, moles or particularly large freckles.

What gives, ladies?

I should really pass the blame to the clothing manufacturers.  It seems like this issue should be part of their quality assurance testing.

We can do better, people.

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Celebrities, Design, Fashion, Humor, Life, Sports, Television

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All in the family

Posted on August 25, 2014 | Leave a comment

My friend Leah and I went to the US Open tennis tournament today hoping to see favorite players.

Me, Djokovic at the practice courts. Her, Verdasco in his early round match. We were both successful. (Leah even shook Verdasco’s hand.)

jack sockBut we did not expect to meet Jack Sock’s aunt and uncle on the train platform on our way back into the city!

But we did.

They were chatting with friends and were curious about the matches that were still in progress.  And since both of us were intent on our cellphones, they asked for an update.

We ended up talking until we arrived at Penn Station.

I think that counts as yet another sports celebrity encounter — don’t you?

 

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Posted in Entertainment, Family, Humor, Life, Sports, Television

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Advantage, Carla

Posted on September 19, 2012 | 3 comments

For all the people who have asked me over the years how I can love tennis as much as I do without playing the game…

Guess who’s taking lessons?

I was inspired by a Groupon that was sent out during the US Open — six private lessons with a tennis pro for one-third of the regular price.

Couldn’t pass up that deal.

I had to wait until after my Italy adventure to begin, so today was my first lesson, and I could not have had a more beautiful day.  Sunny skies.  Cool temps.  And me, actually doing pretty darn well.

I guess I can plan to play at next year’s Open.

Yeah, right.

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Ain’t no sunshine

Posted on September 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

Yesterday I braved the storms.

I made the trek to Flushing and the US Open.

The rain had stopped.  The courts were dry.  I bought my hot dog and my soda in its 2012 souvenir cup.

Joining the faithful in the cheap seats, I shared my towel to wipe off the raindrops and then settled down to enjoy almost an entire set of tennis between the retiring Andy Roddick and Juan Martin Del Potro.

And then it started to rain.

I waited a bit.  Then the players left the court.  So I did, too.

By the time I got to the train tracks just outside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the night session had officially been canceled.

I’m still happy to have made the journey yesterday…but not today.

The forecast is CRAP.

NOTE — After an initial two-hour delay, play resumed at the US Open.  Damn forecasters never get it right.

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