US Open 2010
The fourth and last Grand Slam tournament of the year is just about to start in New York . The US Open in Flushing Meadows is a fantastic tournament that can expect over 700,000 visitors in 2 weeks and which holds more than 20.000 spectators in the biggest tennis stadium of the world.
I have always felt at ease in New York and as a big city and all its excitements, it is always a great experience for me – I even lived there for a couple of years during my tennis career. I have always liked taking in different experiences which stimulate my thoughts and as such, I find a certain calm in the hustle and bustle of the big city. This has been especially true during the US Open in New York: There is always something going on in the stadiums – the cheering of the multitude of fans, who root for you noisily, eat and chat (the atmosphere sometimes resembles a baseball game) and the impressive backdrop of the court with the lights and banners during the night sessions almost let you get lost in the shuffle. Then after returning from the Meadows to the city, I have always felt a certain type of tranquility. Especially on Sundays there is a comfortable feeling of serenity in the streets of Soho despite -or even because of the many little cafes, restaurants and galleries. I still enjoy strolling through Central Park and the streets and taking in all kinds of cultures, people and images. My suggestion if you happen to be in New York for the US Open this year: Visit the Annex Antique Fair & Flea Market on 6th Avenue between 24th to 27th Streets with its beautiful atmosphere on the weekend, have a bagel in a cafe or go to one of the many studios of well-known and upcoming artists!
Naturally, for the next two weeks tennis prevails in New York City. A couple of favorites are sidelined because of injuries: Del Potro does not feel fit to defend his title because of pain in his wrist that he has had since January. Serena Williams, three-time US Open winner and semi-finalist of 2009 needs to rest her foot injury and even Venus Williams canceled the preparation tournaments in Cincinnati and Montreal because of knee problems. For Henin, the 2010 season already seems to be over because of an elbow injury. I hope that this downtime doesn’t get too discouraging for her.
For me, Federer still is one of the favorites for the US Open after playing in the final in Toronto and the victory in Cincinnati. I think it is dangerous to underestimate him right now, because in a Best-of-Five tournament it is still hard to get around him. Murray definitely also should be counted among the favorites, as he showed great tennis in Toronto. Regarding the women, I think that the previous year winner Clijsters is one of the top-favorites after winning in Cincinnati. But also Sharapova, who has settled back into her old form this summer after a long injury break. Wozniacki and Jankovic are also expected to advance successfully through the tournament.
I am excited to see if some players will take the chance of the withdrawal of other players, especially in the women’s field, or if well-known players like Nadal, Federer and Clijsters will be able to hold their ground.
Thanks for your view on US open. I like to see Nadal as winner
Nadal is the champion that never talk about records like you. and Clijsters may not won this time and Serena had not a good opponent because of Henin’s absense,so that she may won another slam,but Wozniaki or Stosur have chances to win.
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Hi Steffi,
Well, the US Open 2010 is now sports history. It’s always a great tournament in a beautiful location in Flushing Meadow, but the high heat and humidity, and then wind and rain and chilly conditions were big participants in this year’s US Open as well, it seems. Hurricane Earl was not invited, but he almost crashed the event, like in the film, The Wedding Crashers !
Thankfully, Earl decided to go further North and not veer into NYC !
The Women’s Final went by rather quickly. The windy conditions probably did not help but Kim was in fine form ! Her forehand shots reminded me of your forehand shots, Frau Forehand ! And Rafa prevailed again to prove he is Number 1 in the World !
There was a lot interesting variety in this years tournament and surprises, like Roger being knocked out by Nowak, great tennis by young star Caroline knocking out Maria, who also had a great run this year until she met Caroline on court, and Jana being knocked out so early as well ! Nowak’s power and determination got him past Roger which was another unexpected surprise ! I only wish Nowak had done some more of his hilarious tennis player imitations before he left !
Didn’t have a chance to get to the Antiques Fair and Flea Market on 6th on the weekends during the Open, but I know that area well, and will try to make it in the future. I can understand your interest in Antiques, but I’m frankly puzzled about why you would be interested in a flea market. I don’t think fleas make such good pets or investments and I think Genworth would agree.And I don’t think they make good Collector’s Items. And how can you tell what is the fair market price for a particular flea ? There are so many different types !
Nonetheless, when I go, I will bring some glass jars with flea food in them just in case I find some fleas I might be interested in purchasing. If they ask me how I heard about the Flea Market, I will tell them Steffi Graf sent me ! : )