You know summer in New York is coming to an end when the US Open begins the Monday before Labor Day. For me, going to the US Open is a favorite annual ritual. It's got everything: triple match points, shopping at Ralph Lauren and my personal favorite, courtside cocktails! This year, our seats at Arthur Ashe were great; we were practically on top of the players. In fact, we were sitting right behind Andy Roddick's wife, Brooklyn Decker, who was cheering him on as he easily trounced Stephane Robert. In addition to Roddick, we got to see two of my favorites, Melanie Oudin and Kim Clijsters.
Tennis and I go way back. From the age of 12, I was my dad's doubles partner and I played on the team all through high school, ending up as #1 my senior year. I liked the strategy and the psychological component of it. To win, you've got to psych yourself up! That said, I was happy to give it up when I graduated and, not incidentally, got kicked off the team for insubordination. (In my experience, high school sports are all about conformity of the most draconian kind).
So, tennis. It's kind of like opera: I love it, but I prefer to be a spectacter rather than a performer. Plus the cocktails are better on this side!
