Sunday Tennis - My US Open Experience (version 2006)
Sunday, 03-Sep, Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York.

Checktime: 1130AM EDT

After 2 days (Fri and Sat) of uninterrupted rain over the Big Apple, everyone wasn't expecting much, let alone wish for a sunny day that Sunday, in time to watch the US Open during the Labor Day weekend. Lo and behold, the gods were smiling at us; it was like the last Coca-cola in the desert. The sun was up and the cool breeze from what was left of Hurricane Ernesto was a refreshing treat. Short in saying, it was a lovely day.

I stayed the night away at my friend's place in Queens, 2-3 subway stops from Flushing Meadows. The weather was simply perfect and walking down the subway station wasn't much of an effort. However, as we connected to the coach leading to the Open, I saw a phalanx of anticipating Tennis fans, all excited to see the resumption of play after 2 rained-out days. Likewise, it was a chance to see Andre Agassi's swan song, hopefully not, since this particular Grand Slam was marketed to be more than just a major. It was a culmination of a career that spanned more than 2 decades; a tribute to the man who endured everything from the mockery of (re)defining the marketing term, "Image is Everything" without proving his substance inside the court - where it should all matter. He eventually shed that tag and his hair to boot, and displayed to the world what he was really all about. Pete Sampras will NEVER be Pistol Pete sans Andre. Pete needed a contemporary; he needed a worthy adversary to bring his A-game up another notch. Andre filled up that billing. Although, Pete had more feathers in his cap but Andre had his share too. Now, I couldn't believe I will be part of Tennis history wherein a new chapter was ready to unravel. Such a distinct honor to be here.

It was all about Andre
As we disembarked from the subway with Shea (Mets) stadium on my left and on the opposite side was the huge USTA Tennis Center, now named after the great Billy Jean King, I could almost hear my heart pounding. Every inch of the ramp leading to the venue was filled with warm bodies and as we approached the entrance, a huge Andre billboard engulfed the scene – much like saying welcome to Andre’s house. I must admit that I had goose bumps right there and never in my wildest dreams will I come to that point and be able to watch the who’s who in Tennis. A case of an avid fanatic (pardon my redundancy) being rapt by that special moment; I was just that and more...

'Nuf of the rhetorics, I was booked to watch the games at the smaller Louis Armstrong stadium, named after the Jazz godfather who grew up in one of the neighborhoods near Queens. After containing my pent-up emotions and settling down in my 95-dollar reserved seat, I marveled at watching Marat Safin dogged it out with David Nalbandian. It was a fast-paced match and although Marat would be at his usual expressive self (short in saying he's temperamental), he was able to contain himself in the latter part and won a much-deserved 5 setter. I felt David was always in the game but never gave an extra ummph to win it. He lost it more than Marat won it.

During one of the change-overs, we saw in the big electronic scoreboard that Andre just lost at the Arthur Ashe stadium. The whole crowd immediately stood up and gave a huge ovation to the disgust of the chair umpire. It went on for more than a minute and how fittingly that I was at least part of the crowd to share that moment. That really gave me goose bumps and that one was definitely for you, Andre.

Just as special, every shot I took with my camera was memorable. It was like playing the game for the first time with the passion of an 11-year old kid. What more could I ask for than having this distinct opportunity to capture the game I came to love, with the little that I know in photography? Hey, it was simply the best of both worlds, my worlds.

Other Matches
Next session was between a lesser light and Rafael Nadal, the current world #2 player. Here, the score didn’t reveal how Rafa dominated the match since there were tiebreak sets. But he was in full control all throughout and once I sensed that I told myself that it was time for me to roam around the nicely laid out park and take some souvenir shots.

I was impressed with the way the Billy Jean King Center was designed. It had the Arthur Ashe statue, the Court of Champions and the imposing globe which represented all competing nations since Tennis is recognized as a global sport. I went around the field courts and saw some Japanese and Indians in action either playing mixed or women's doubles. How I wish I could also cheer for a Filipino, I guess that would still be a long ways off. I got to see Maria Sharapova doing her usual practice session before her night match and top this, I even stretched out (through the fence) for one of the balls she was actually using. Make that a memorabilia of sorts. Everyone was screaming for Maria to get her attention but to no avail since she was all focused and determined to win it all. She would not allow any unnecessary distractions, not even during practice. (As of 9-Sep, Maria did capture the 2006 US Open Women's crown against world's #2 Justine Hennin-Hardenne in straight sets, 6-4,6-4)

Coming back to Armstrong stadium, it was Amelie's turn to show off her stuff. I must admit I wasn't impressed with her strokes, I didn't see the fire in her to end the match early. Despite waiting for her opponent to commit unforced errors, she still won in 3 uneventful sets as dusk crept in at the Open. Since we only had day tickets (11AM-7PM) that should have been our last glimpse of the US Open action or so we thought...

What should have only been for night ticket holders became an open coral for all since there were rained out days that week, which forced organizers to give something back to the paying public. Oh well "something" was an understatement here given that the next featured match was between American Vince Spadea and the great Roger Federer. It was like our fortunes weren't running out yet. The crowd went wild when Malivai (Washington) announced that all seats in Louis Armstrong for night matches were now considered free seating. After so much cheering and (human) waving, a thunderous applause greeted Roger, much like a decorated warrior entering the lions den. Hail to the Chief. It went without saying that Roger toyed around Vince with relative ease; afterall it was just the 3rd round of the Open.

The last one we got to see for at least one set though was a doubles match-up between the tournament's top seed, the Bryan brothers against a Swedish pair. Again, this was a no-contest in favor of the American twins.

Post Mortem
To cap off what could be considered as the most special day for me as a Tennis fan, was an opportunity to bid my personal adieu to one of my sporting heroes growing up. Despite his sad defeat, there were really no losers in this case and Marat said it best during a post-game interview, "For Andre, some doors close and others will open". With such memorable experience like I (or we) had, ultimately there will only be winners here -- us the fans. Thank you Andre, Thanks for your great play.

Now, will Wimbledon be that far off?? Nah, dream on Alan...