What A Wonderful Two Weeks of the Year

FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – These two weeks may be the most fun for a reporter and most work. It’s a virtual plethora of sports with so many things are going on at once, it’s extremely difficult to keep up with everything.

But that’s what makes the US Open so great. While Wimbledon may be the most prestigious, and Roland Garros embodies the European culture, the tournament in Flushing Meadows is definitely the personification of American Culture.

The Open is the slam of the future where stars are born and it uses an experimental atmosphere to introduce hard courts and instant replay to the game.

It’s the most raucous, as if rock-n-roll took over the tennis world. A giant Woodstock, or Rolling Stones concert paced about for the two weeks.

But really that’s what makes the US Open maybe the hardest championship to win.

Maybe that’s why Roger Federer is so tough on Arthur Ashe. And why many are picking Maria Sharapova, even though she hasn’t been the same since the shoulder injury.

“I think the lights are really good,” Federer said after winning his first match win over Bryan Dubal, 6-1 6-4 6-2.  “There are some stadiums around the world where the lights are not the same, but here it feels great.  Obviously I have the experience to play under pressure and with so many people, high expectations, so I guess I can use that to my advantage.

“Then court speed, surroundings, the event and everything helps my cause to really do well and play well here.  I always loved coming here.  Never had a bad US Open.  Never had a first‑round upset somehow.  Just shows again, you know, I was playing well tonight.  I’m happy I got to play a night session again.”

Here’s the thing New York is made for stars and thus the stars shine for these two weeks. As you know, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.

And if you happen to be one that does succeed in New York, then a star is born. Last year Melanie Oudin was able to get to the Quarterfinals. Her follow-ups during the year were less than stellar, but then back on Ashe she shined.

“It felt so good to be out there again and hearing the crowd, and just being on Ashe again and playing.  No matter who I was playing, it feels good to be back again,” Oudin said after defeating Olga Savchuk, 6-3, 6-0. “But I was ‑‑ yes, I was definitely nervous.  My stomach felt a little bit funny in the beginning of the match.  I loosened up, and I think it got a lot better in the second set.”

And maybe she will make another run. As we have seen it just gets easier the second time around and with an open women’s field, who knows what will happen. Maybe in Oudin can salvage 2010 with a strong Open and make 2011 her year.

But that’s what makes the Open so special. Stars are born and then they shine. And maybe this year names like Mardy Fish or Coco Vanderweghe get the call.

One thing’s for certain though, it’s going to be a great two weeks.