The U.S. Open
Eli 25.1 is here until early tomorrow, so I'm scrambling a bit because we'll be gone most of the day. Here are a few bits about the U.S. Open, though.
I've never been to a Grand Slam before (Eli's been to various ones five times now), so it was a brand new experience for me. I didn't realize that Grand Slams are like a sports theme park. There are rides (courts), some huge ones and some small ones, and you just ride the vibes between various matches, never staying at one for longer than a set because so much else is happening.
It's fun--unbelievable fun, really--and seeing world class athletes up close is incredible. On the outer courts, we were watching matches at distance of less than fifty feet.
Some of the physicality of tennis comes through on TV, but man, it really comes through in person. High-level tennis is incredibly physical, and it's easier to under how quickly players can fatigue. Particularly on high heat or humidity days, because it was a swamp on Tuesday, even though it was overcast most of the day.
The other thing that stood out most keenly was the serve. Players go multiple games cranking in a high percentage of their serves, looking utterly comfortable, but when a particularly important game comes around, their motions start to--ever so slightly--fall apart. All those first serves that were going in easily suddenly go two feet long or hit the net. For some reason, it was particularly pronounced when you're watching in person.
These events are almost festivals. There's so much to do besides watch matches. Lots of vendors, lots of food (at the U.S. Open, it's comically expensive), lots of fan stuff. It's a blast.
Oh, and I learned that having a reserved seat for one of the big courts in the early rounds is totally unnecessary. There are so many courts with open seating that you can have a great time with a day pass, just wandering between the outer courts and going to the best match currently happening. Cheaper and every bit as much fun. For the U.S. Open, at least.
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