Fans flocked to see this year’s US Tennis Open. In fact, the all-time attendance record was set with over 800,000 people going through the Billy Jean King stadium turnstiles! Having gone every year since the 1980’s when my brother and I were ball boy kids, I have the following observations:
- The ITF (International Tennis Federation): needs to tighten up how they communicate and enforce their codes of conduct. It’s a disgrace that I feel the need to list this as #1 this year!
- Roger Federer is not the same player: One of my favorites didn’t look the same in his loss to John Millman.
- Flushing Meadows need a new A/C: There was no airflow and it had a huge effect on the tournament. Refer to #2 above and YouTube the match. Several quality players had to retire due to the heat.
- The food is as good as ever: They get about 20% turnover on the food vendors and it makes me proud to be from Queens where you see so much diverse and delicious ethnic specialties ?
- Men and women should not be paid the same: Unless the men are playing best of 3 sets or the women switch to a best of 5 format, I don’t think the prize money should be the same. As an avid tennis fan, I’m open to your thoughts on all of these topics!