Flushing, New York

I guess on some level it was appropriate that I stepped out of the 7 train at the Flushing subway stop on Day 4 of the United States Open tennis championships; because that meant second round action at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. I took 11 main draw cracks at America’s biggest professional tournament and never passed the second round in singles. I did have some victories; six, as a matter of fact. I guess 6-11 at the Open is pretty good on some level.

Coming out of the 7 train one can’t help but get caught up in the hordes of tennis enthusiasts making their way across the boardwalk heading to the three main stadiums: Louis Armstrong, Ashe, and the Grandstand. The first stop on the boardwalk is to pick up the day’s program which contains the schedule of the day’s matches and the complete men’s and women’s updated draw sheet. After examining the draw with a fine-toothed comb it became very evident that there is a specific trend developing in today’s professional game; it all boils down to these countries: Spain, France, and Russia. France has 14 of 128 men’s players in the main draw. The same amount as the U.S.A. Except at the Grand Slam tournaments the host country has an additional eight spots for wildcard entrants. The U.S. tournament committee used six of these spots for American players who otherwise would not have made it into the tournament. They would be in the qualifying rounds. That’s not great news for American tennis.

Spain has 12 players in the men’s draw straight away. Between the two countries, 26 main draw entrants. Now that’s impressive! What are they doing over there that we are not? That’s one of the big questions I couldn’t get out of my mind at this year’s open.

What’s happening in women’s professional tennis is not only scary for American players, but, also for just about everyone else. The women’s professional tennis tour is dominated by Russians. They have 16 players in the main draw straight away. The U.S. has 12 players and used seven wild card spots out of eight. Not good! Women’s tennis in the U.S. might be hurting more than the men’s. Once again, what’s going on here? Better still, what’s going on over there? Heavy questions indeed.

The other big stories were home grown Beatrice Capra from Ellicott City, Maryland and the weather (hottest on court temperatures ever recorded). The guys and gals are big and they have weapons, big serves and monster forehands. The fitness of these athletes is extraordinary, remarkable athleticism. This all makes for one very enjoyable visit to New York and the United States Open Championship 2010.

Until next time,
Lightning signing off.