Hello from New York City. It took awhile but finally arrived. This column has laid dormant. Sorry, that’s what happens when one hangs with “Global Chick ” We hit the ESPY awards, the Emmy awards and we got lost in the Hamptons, but we are here NOW!
Ok so here we are @ Flushing Meadows. ( totally weird name for a swamp? Or was it a dump? What was it before the “Worlds Fair”? What’s a “Worlds Fair…. “? )
Ok . So you can tell we are really thrilled to be here. It’s such a fantastic event. The grounds at The BJK Tennis Center are fantastic. We love the court of champions. We love the food courts. We love the practice courts. We love the stadiums. We see friends everywhere we look. It’s the place to be till the last ball is hit.
Buy tickets. Seats are still available. I’ve seen tickets on eBay on Stub Hub on the U.S.OPEN site. Try and catch this event. It’s spectacular. There’s something going on in every inch if the place all day long. Ok. All night long too. Just ask the photographers that stay till the last ball is hit.
FYI. We always forget to applaud our EPA ( European Press Agency) photographers. We are fortunate to have the partnership with such a fine group of hardworking talented photographers with a great passion for our sport.
Tidbits From Around The Grounds / on the bus / off the Bus / “snip it’s” from everywhere :
String jobs are $30 for the labor on site. Ouch. FYI. Most popular string amongst the players that have touch and feel in their games is SOLINCO. Unbelievable power and feel. A winning combination. We’ve watched this company grow. It’s from lots of blood sweat and tears. Welcome to the world of tennis. The night matches are great but why start a 2/3 set women’s match after a men’s 3/5 setter ? TV ? Rumors are flying that Andy Murray is thinking about turning in his stripes ( ADIDAS) for a “twisted comma – NIKE ? That might make sense for the lack of sponsor patches on his shirts sleeves. The guy won Wimbledon and he has empty sleeves? He wins Wimby and Harrods doesn’t have a tennis department? Just saying …
Also know NIKE is hurting without Rafa playing right now. The US Open ticket sales are feeling it. Who isn’t. Word is no surgery needed for Rafa. We’ve got our theories on his absence. Similar to his last one. But we will just say its odd. Why do we say that ? His team isn’t sure he will be back this year ? Did we hear that ? As we stroll the grounds we wonder, will we feel the cooler air second week ?
We plan @ being at book signings on site today. Our buddy Sven Groeneveld will be @ Bobby Blair’s and hopefully Esther Vergeers too.
Sven is the coaches coach , everyone respects the guys heart and knowledge. He is up there with Hopman and Bollettieri with coaching a lot of slam champs and a heap of numbers ONES. Bobby is a lifelong friend of Svens and Sven was Esther’s last coach.
We hear Mick Jones of FOREIGNER wants to watch his favorite player Andy Murray. His peeps are working on setting something up. He has seen him in Miami. But the two haven’t met. Best catch ever. Yesterday’s lefty ball boy. Story coming. Loving the energy here. Awesome tennis everywhere. Mixed dubs has started. Strange and dangerous sport at the pro level. But exciting. The junior will be starting. The wheelchair. And the new college event. Come to out for a special experience.
Topics: 2014 US Open, EPA, Flushing Meadows, Lovey, New York City, Rafa, Tennis
LABOR DAY WEEKEND @ THE 2014 @usopen / LOVEY FINALLY CHECKS IN- http://t.co/AwdLxlnWzK #USOpen #tennis