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Off-Court at the US
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Recession Proof It seems the US Open is recession-proof, despite the prevailing and uncertain economic forecasts. They recently had a nationwide ‘cash for clunkers program’ over here in the USA that is curiously reversed at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre during this fortnight. If you drive a Lexus to the tennis, you can park for free, because Lexus is a tournament sponsor, but if your car is, say, a Ford Focus or a Chevrolet Cavalier, you get to pay $18 to stash it somewhere for the day. Monday, the opening day of the event, drew a crowd of 59,848, which officials happily reported to be a first day record as both the day and the night sessions were sold out for the first time ever. The grounds are heaving with people and they all seem to be carrying anything from a dish of flaming ouzo shrimp at $13 a pop from the open-air wine bar to a jumbo tennis ball costing a staggering $40 at the Wilson store. There are still lines of people waiting for a table at the Mojito restaurant, where a lobster and Jack cheese quesadilla costs $28, while, just a few steps away, if you line up to get inside the Lacoste store, a pair of sunglasses will set you back $150. Clearly a lot of cash changes hands out here, which has to be good for tennis in the long run. No tweeting please The tweeting craze is being frowned on by the US Open authorities who fear it can be used to pass on information to help gamblers in contravention of the Tennis Integrity Unit’s anti-corruption rules, especially if used on court. “I think its lame that the US Open is trying to regulate tweeting,” Andy Roddick said on his website. “You would seriously have to be a moron to send ‘inside info’ on a tweet”. One couldn’t agree more. |
In Honour of the Champ Roger Federer, with five successive US Open titles under his belt, has been dubbed ‘King of New York’. As such, he stays in Manhattan’s famous Carlyle Hotel in a suite that has been named after him, no doubt as thanks for selecting their exclusive hostelry over the past few years. It is reported that even the linen in the room carries his RF logo so I wonder what they’ll do if he wins his sixth title this year! Motherhood Kim Clijster’s comeback could be shortlived. She has always maintained that she would reassess her future after the US Open and could well be influenced by her desire to have a second child to keep daughter Jada company. Clijsters is not the only mum competing at Flushing Meadows for Sybille Bammer of Austria and Paraguay’s Rosanna de los Rios are two others in the 128 draw. And, for the record, the last mother to win a grand slam was Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980. Rocking Murray Andy Murray has joined the merry band of players who like to play music. On this occasion the Scot has only contributed to the first album produced by the Bryan twins, the doubles experts Bob and Mike. The album is called ‘Let it Rip’ and its out this week. “It was the first time I had done something like that,” he said. “It was good fun and it wasn’t anything special” First $50 million dollar man Federer’s first round victory took the Swiss master past the $50 million mark in prize money terms. Overall of course, his earnings will have more likely reached $200 million levels when sponsorship and appearance deals are included. He passed the mark when he banked $31,000 for beating wildcard Devin Britton 6-1 6-3 7-5 to push himself up to the top of the tennis players earnings list. |
Setting a new
record Only three players have won the same grand slam successively six or more times, a feat Roger Federer is attempting this year at the US Open. Richard Sear won the US Open for seven years (1881-1887), William Renshaw lifted six successive Wimbledon crowns (1881-1886) and Big Bill Tilden did the same at the US Open (1920-1925). Should Federer join this elite group of players he would be the first to do it without having the luxury of going straight into the final – the Challenge Round as it was then known – having played through the draw on all occasions. No Writing Odd things happen at the US Open, like James Blake being told by the umpire that he had to remove the writing on the advertising logo on his headband. "I didn't know the rule," Blake admitted. "I didn't know you couldn't have any writing on the headband or wristband. With the new logo, new design, there's always the logo. I didn't know we couldn't do that." Blake was somewhat perplexed at the crackdown, especially as sponsor brands adorn most of the surrounding area at Louis Armstrong Stadium. "I don't know why the ATP does some of the things it does, or if it is just the International Tennis Federation," Blake questioned. "A quarter-inch here, a quarter-inch there, they make all these rules…” 2nd
September 2009 |
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