US Open Tennis, New York City

Traveling to the US Open has now been a tradition in our family for three years. Jim convinced us that we should give it a try after his first year attending the tournament, and of course, now we are hooked. I thought Colin and Chelsea might be bored with it after a short while but just the opposite has happened. Colin and I watched about 13 hours of tennis on Sunday, Sept. 3rd!!

Seeing these players in person is so dramatically different than watching on TV. I imagine that seeing professional golfers in person would be similarly astounding. The skill, power and pure athleticism of the players is mind-boggling. We saw some of the same matches that Jim saw. Nalbandian vs. Safin was an epic 5-setter ending in a tiebreak. Safin, for my money, is one of the most exciting players around. Yes, he's got some strange things going on in his head now and then, and he does not have the calm disposition of a Federer, but he can produce some of the most amazing shots in the game when he is focused.

Sunday night, Colin and I refused to leave Armstrong Stadium along with a couple thousand other fans, and watched Federer play Vince Spadea. Seeing Fed in Armstrong was far better than watching him play in Ashe Stadium last year. His prowess on the tennis court leaves you shaking your head, constantly. I am quite convinced that he is the single greatest player this sport has ever known. It doesn't matter if he ever breaks Sampras' records or completes the real Grand Slam like Rod Laver. He has already proven that he is the most complete player around but it's his creativity and artistry that blow everyone else away. He can imagine the correct shots to hit then pull off the difficult shots at the most critical points in the match. It's his mind that separates him from everyone who has come before. The fact that he can physically do what his mind tells him to is what causes your head to nearly explode.

OK. Enough commentary on the genius of Federer.

Another fun and different aspect of visiting the Open this year was that Colin and Chelsea managed to get autographs from several players. Colin got autographs from Amelie Mauresmo (#1 in the world at the time), Bob and Mike Bryan (#1 doubles team in the world), and Jelena Jankovic (upset Kuznetsova, Vaidisova and Dementieva). (Note: Colin came very close to getting signatures from Federer and Nadal also!!) Chelsea got autographs from Li Na (hard hitter from China who crushed Mary Pierce and pushed Sharapova), Tatiana Golovin (who lost in quarterfinals to Sharapova), Dementieva and Jankovic. The players are really great about signing autographs for the kids after they win. It's a thrill and an inspiration to get so close to these "rock stars".

Already, we are looking forward to next year.

Every year, we try to do something fun in New York City the day before the US Open. Last year, we had a great time at the Bronx Zoo and this year we checked out the fun Blue Man Group show in downtown Manhattan. It's always a bit nerve-wracking driving through the City but we are slowly getting used to it. Next year, we may try to visit the American Museum of Natural History or one of the world class art museums.