The US Open - A Tough Challenge!

Tennis players dream about winning the US Open, but how many of them really have the tools to do it?

Most consider the French Open (Roland Garros) as the toughest grand tournament to win and I can agree with that but, the US Open is a very tricky tournament to win as well!

 Let us consider the surface:

- Hard-court fast.

- True bounce

- High bounce on topspin balls

- Low skidding bounce on slices

Here the thought of easy tennis, huge serve, big forehands all out attacks, fast points, come to mind.

Not so fast.

There is not a single court in the US Open which plays exactly the same way as another.

All show courts play differently and have ridiculously different environments, from shadows to proximity to the crowd, shapes surrounding the court and speed of course!

The center court is the fastest among the show courts and courts 16 and 15 were always famous for their devilish speed!

Court speed at the US Open is something that would advantage some players, but given that serve and volley is almost alien to today's tennis professionals it is of little use to them!  In fact speed even becomes a challenge for most of those huge loopy swings.

The true bounce and high bounces are an advantage for all and since 99 percent of today's players are top class strikers of the ball, some rallies in fact most rallies can become true slug fests that often effectively destroy the winning players chances in the next round.  And here a little note:

- These slug fests can be avoided with skillful tennis, often demonstrated by Roger Federer.  To aspire at a Grand Slam title understanding the importance of saving yourself physically and still win is fundamental.

Low skidding fast balls, this is a major weapon for those who took the time to develop a solid slice backhand and even a forehand slice.

Observing the main characteristics of these US Open tennis courts it is easy to conclude that they are made for the attackers, unfortunately how many are there?

Because of that question, after looking at the draw where I would expect some sense of excitement and unpredictability I have to say, it looks like another Grand Slam for Roger Federer.

The heat factor can truly change the draw landscape. A player subjected to play too many matches during the day 11:00 AM to 18:00 PM under smelting hot conditions, if he makes it through to the final he does not have much left to give but the title to the other finalist. With on court temperatures that can top 80 degrees and more it is no surprise!

So being a seeded player, a crowd pleaser and a TV favorite can be a huge almost unfair advantage at the US Open, because organizers are going to schedule most of your matches for prime time TV and in the cool breezes of the night! 

This when the heavy weight matches start around the quarter finals can be decisive for a trophy win.

The wind is often a factor not to disregard at the US Open. Outside the show courts you can expect to be able to predict the wind direction and play accordingly.

In the show courts and especially on the center court you can expect swirling winds coming from all directions in the pit! This can be a real tester of your patience and skills.  In most cases the strongest player mentally will win.  Playing under adverse conditions is always a test of will and often the one who want it the most will prevail.

Day play and night play, it is almost as distinguishing the colors white and black.  These are very much diametrically opposite type conditions. Everything is different, the vision, the light, the ball speeds, your string tensions, the crowd, yourself.

Because night play differs so much from day play and tennis players are so used to day play during the summer and perhaps 80 percent of the tournament year, night play can be a real challenge.  Some players get completely thrown off by night play and of course such players can not be US Open winners!

The crowd, airplanes and festivities.  Like any other Grand Slam the US Open has a crowd that is very specific to the US but which can change as the day progresses from day to night play where thirsty patrons have downed many gallons of beer and other alcoholic beverages. 

This gives place to a rowdier and vocal crowd with some funny comments and incidents!  Sure enough tougher for players to stay concentrated.

Sure enough even though the Mayor of NY often asks the airport authority to change the landing and take off routes of airplanes, you can count on days were the wind does not allow this and players have to keep focused even though planes are flying above!

And finally the festivities and party ambiance that surrounds the outside courts with all kinds of chatter, noises, music, hamburger and other cooking smells plus so many other distractions, makes some players very edgy at the thought of playing an outside of the show courts match.

All in all the US Open is a great tournament to win but, to do it you have to do more than just hit tennis balls!

Sergio Cruz

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