Steven Sokol is crouched along the net, ready to spring into action. A tennis ball smashes against the taut court divider and like a shot, off he goes. Sporting a white hat displaying the iconic University of Michigan “M”, Sokol sprints across the court, fetches the fuzzy yellow ball, and returns to his position, standing like a sentry at full attention. Continue reading “How To Become a US Open Ballperson”
Justin Holmes first tried out to be a US Open ballperson when he was 14 years old. Admittedly, he was nervous. Scared out of his mind. His emotions got the best of him, affecting his throwing, retrieving and movement. Continue reading “What It’s Like Being a US Open Ballperson”
Bobby Riggs was on top of the tennis world during the 1930s and ’40s. As a 21-year-old amateur, Riggs won the 1939 Wimbledon triple crown (men’s singles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles). He won the U.S. National Championships (now U.S. Open) later that year and was a finalist at the French Open. Continue reading “‘Battle of the Sexes’ is More Than a Tennis Movie”
The women’s tennis Grand Slam winners in 2017 were: Serena Williams (Australian Open), Jelena Ostapenko (French Open), Garbiñe Muguruza (Wimbledon) and Sloane Stephens (U.S. Open). Continue reading “WTA Turning Regional Stars into Global Icons”
Andrey Rublev rarely looked like a teenager during his exciting run to the 2017 U.S. Open quarterfinals over the past two weeks at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. Continue reading “Andrey Rublev to Learn from U.S. Open Experience, Success”
Sloane Stephens was out of tennis for approximately 11 months because of a stress fracture in her left foot. While she was frustrated on the sideline, she was able to focus on her family, cheering at her little cousin’s soccer games, spending time with her grandmother who had recently suffered a stroke, and attending weddings and baby showers. Continue reading “Lengthy Injury Layoff Helped Sloane Stephens Appreciate Tennis More”
The U.S. Open is the fourth and final tennis major comprising the Grand Slam, following the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. The two-week tournament draws approximately 700,000 visitors each year to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. The event is unique in its own right. Here’s what some of this year’s participants think of the U.S. Open. Continue reading “U.S. Open Competitors Praise Tournament”
