The US Open

Kristy and I played hookey on Monday (well not really, our leave was pre-approved) and headed out to Flushing Queens to watch The Nanny the first day of the US Open! As you may recall, Kristy went last year as well but this was the first time I had gone. In fact, it’s the first time I’ve seen professional tennis played live, ever! (Excluding of course all the times I’ve played professionally against the Durham Train.)

We were lucky enough to see not one, but two Aussies play on Monday – Alicia Molik first, then Samantha Stosur a few hours later. Unfortunately for us (and for them, I guess), they both lost! And Kristy and I were being such dilligent little flag wavers! (Thanks to Stacey for providing us with an Australian flag all those years ago!)

Apart from watching the two Aussie girls, we also checked out some random matches as we walked past courts with lots of cheering. Oh, and we also caught up with Simon who was working the service line – he’s quite the linesman! A few of the crowd members were unhappy with one of his calls, but I was sitting right on the line, and I’d be happy to back him up – the ball was clearly out.

Anyway, the thing that I noticed, match after match, was that the loudest player always won. Perhaps not on every point, but in each match, there was definitely a grunter, and the grunter inevitably went on to win. Certainly explains why Monica Seles was so successful!

Overall I had a fantastic day, but at slightly over 40 bucks a pop, I probably wouldn’t hurry back unless there was a player that I really wanted to see. Still, if a free ticket was on offer (they occasionally have specials at work) then I’d certainly consider it!