Our Weekend

We pretty much spent our weekend in a park in NYC. My husband had a tennis tournament which started Saturday and was supposed to end yesterday but because of the rain, the games were ended around 4pm. This tournament is held every year for single and double matches. The number of entries this year tripled than the previous years. It needs some crowd control especially during the first two hours after the games started last Saturday. There was a temporary velvet rope within the registration area and barricades were installed during lunch time. Lunch was free and nobody was checking if you joined or not so everybody was invited to eat. Food was abundant so I guess they expected the big crowd.

My husband lost in the semis for the single match. The double match was still ongoing when the rain started to pour yesterday. The game is being rescheduled either tomorrow afternoon or Saturday weather permitting. I am wishing hubby and his teammate good luck for tomorrow or the next game. Hope they will make it to the championship round.

A Tennis Weather

Finally we got a decent weather yesterday. I tell you, it has been spring for weeks but it was still cold. Yesterday was the first day that we had an 80 degree day.

It was a perfect day to play tennis. Hubby called me while I was still at work that he has a game at 4:30 p.m. and he will just bring Isabella with him. A game is like a 3 hr game and my daughter will not mind that at all. There is a playground right next to the tennis court where she can play. I just gave them instructions to bring my laptop to the park, put it inside my black messenger bag and I will meet them there. I have to specify which color bag I want since I have too many messenger bags but only the black one has enough protection for my laptop.

How I wish I could have played tennis yesterday but I was just a spectator. Not even, because I was studying at one of the benches the whole time they were playing tennis. I have a big homework for school that has to be done right away. I missed playing tennis but that can wait this weekend and during my spring break.

Watching Aussie Tennis

It is another snow day. I left work early today before sleet starts. It is more dangerous to be driving when the roads become icy. First batch of snow already fell around noon, then we had a break and now the biggest storm is about to start that would last up to the morning. I do not know how the condition will be for the morning commute.

My house is so quiet now. On every snow days, almost always my husband is not home. His job always ask him to stay during winter storms. I also asked my daughter to sleep early just in case she has school tomorrow. And, right now I am watching the Australian Open women’s semi-finals between China and Denmark. These girls are just in their twenties and they could play the strenuous game of tennis for hours. I wonder what are their exercise programs to keep them fit and healthy. I’ve seen both of them play at the U.S. Open. They are both in the top 10 but never won a grand slam yet. Let us see who will be the champion this Saturday. Another set is also playing after this but I am not sure if I would still be awake for that match. I am watching live from warm and sunny Australia.

We Were At The U.S Open

We were at the 2009 U.S. Open for two days. We have been doing this for many years now. If you love tennis, you gotta go to the U.S. open or to any tennis tournaments if they are in your area. The Open started August 31 and it will last until Sept 13 at the Billie Jean Tennis Center in Queens, New York.


This is at the opening day. A grounds shot where you see people on their way to the grounds. As you enter, you will see the big Arthur Ashe Stadium where all the top players play.

This another stadium - the Louis Armstrong stadium. Photo taken during James Blake match. Connected to Louis Armstrong is the Grandstand.

Other than the 3 big courts, there around twenty grounds courts. The advantage of being there on the first day is that you still see top players playing at the ground courts. During the first round, mostly all the courts have matches, so it's up to you to pick on which matches you want to go.

This photo was taken as the players enters a ground court for a match. You have a closer look with the players and most of them are willing to have their pictures taken. You have more chances of having an autograph of your favorite tennis player.

If you get hungry, a lot of food kiosk at the grounds and grandstand. It's your choicer - they burgers, delis, indian food, sushi, chicken and fries, ice cream, mexican food, salads and a lot more. Souvenier shops, bars, concerts or a place to hang around and watch the games on the big screens are all over the area.

It is all fun, fun while at the Open. Day session starts at 11:00 am while night session starts at 5pm. We will surely ba back again next year.

The Williams Champs at the Australian Open

I thought I would be able to wake up at 3:30 am to watch Serena Williams play against Dinara Safina at the Australian Open Women’s finals. I hear my alarm (cell phone) vibrates at around 5:45am, why on a vibrate mode? I don’t know. I switched on the TV but no game on ESPN2 or on Tennis channel. Hmmm…all done? I took shower and check online. Sure enough, the match was only 59 minutes. Serena won 6-0, 6-3 earning once again the no. 1 spot on women’s tennis ranking. This is her fourth Australian Open trophy and 1oth grand slam singles title. She and sister Venus also won the Women’s Doubles. Congratulations to the Williams sisters.

Australian Open Men's Semis

Good Morning. I have been up since 5:45 am watching the Australian Open Men's Semi Finals. My husband already left around 6:30 just seeing up to the second set tie. Me and my daughter are leaving too in 20 minutes but the very exciting game is still ongoing. It's the 5th and final set now. Two Spaniards. Two Lefties. Madrid and Mallorca, Spain. Rafael Nadal vs. Fernando Verdasco....Oh boy! Who do you think will go against Federer on Sunday for the Finals?

Serena Wins

Serena Williams is the 2008 U.S. Open Champion. She defeated the No. 2 player from Serbia Jelena Jankovic in a very exciting match 6-4, 7-5. She is $1.5 richer after last night wins, making her the No. 1 tennis player in the world. My Congratulations too to Jankovic for a very good game.

Women's Finals Canceled

The U.S. Open Women's Finals is canceled and rescheduled tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m.,at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The men's semi-finals between Murray vs. Nadal was cut short and to be continued tomorrow afternoon too. Hannah is dumping a lot of rain, expecting around 2-5 inches in the East Coast. Murray won the first 2 sets, 2nd set set with tie break (6-2, 7-6 (5), (2-3). U.S. Open is extended until Monday for the men's finals at 5pm.

credit: usopen.org

Serena Williams vs. Jelena Jankovic at the Finals

I am hoping for the U.S. to win. Last time Serena Williams was in the finals was in 2002 when she beat her sister Venus. U.S. Open was her first grand slam in 1999 and she is so happy that ten years after she is putting up a major fight. At this years quarterfinals, she won against Venus and her sister was seen last Friday supporting and cheering for Serena at the semifinals match against Dinara Safina (Marat Safin sister – one time U.S. open champ too). For Jelena Jankovic, this is her first grand slam finals. This could be very sweet if she wins. Whoever wins will get the No. 1 ranking next week. To quote Serena regarding their forthcoming match: “She (Jankovic) has a lot of pressure to win her first Grand Slam, and I am just enjoying every moment (of the game).” They are scheduled to play tonight at 7:00 p.m. eastern time if storm Hannah will allow them (I doubt it) but Serena said she is ready for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday…doesn’t matter when. Good Luck to both of you.

No.188 upsets No.1 at the U.S. Open

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, ranked No. 1 in the world, bids the U.S. Open early. She lost to Julie Coin of France 6-3, 4-6, 6-3

in the second round last Thursday night. This is the first time since 1968 that the no.1 player lost this early in the tournament. This is what they call the biggest upset in the U.S. Open history. It is Coin's first time to play in a Grand Slam but she did try to qualify for Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon but never made to any of three. Her earnings was less than $100,000 since becoming a pro while Ivanovic had won to almost $6 million already. I am sure this the best game Coin had in her career and this is only the first. Next match for Coin for the third round is Amelie Mauresmo. Good Luck to you Girl!

credit: sports.aol.com/tennis

Lexus Car like a tennis ball

You will find this Lexus car right at the entrance of the U.S. Open. For the love of tennis, Lexus made this car like a tennis ball. The body has the same texture as the hairy tennis ball. Cool right? But you cannot bounce it and hit it like a tennis ball. The Lexus IS 350.

The U.S. Open 2008

Today is the first day of the 2008 U.S. Open up to September 7th. It's being held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, NY which is compose of the the Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louie Armstrong, the Grandstand and a lot of side courts. Will Roger Federer defend his 4th consecutive U.S. Open title? Justine Henin has retired, who will be the new champ being that Maria Sharapova is out because of injury. I am sure this will be an exciting two weeks of tennis and we will be there to witness it.

credit: usopen.org

Tennis Player on Playboy Mag

Her name is Ashley Harkleroad from United States. She is in the cover of the August 2008 issue of Playboy Magazine. She ranked #71 in women’s tennis and the first tennis player to pose for a men’s magazine. I bet ya, she will be popular at the U.S. Open (if she joins) with a lot of male viewers on the hard court (tennis fan or not).

credit: aol.com/yahoo sports

Rafael Nadal the Champ

Congratulations to Rafael Nadal for winning the Wimbledon Men's Tennis for 2008. It was the best tennis match in history for 4 hours and 48 minutes with three rain delays. You deserve it Mr. new champ. See you at the U.S. Open.

The Finals

We've been watching the men's wimbledon finals since 9:30 am eastern time and it's 3:15 pm, the game is still on. This is the second time for a rain delay call. It's a very thrilling and amazing match, Nadal won the 1st and 2nd set, federer got 3rd and 4th sets in overtime. Federer does not want to let go and Nadal still holding on. This is the top 2 tennis players of the world playing, what do you expect? Just a little bit longer and we will see if we have a new champion or federer would still be able to defend his title.

Federer vs. Nadal again @ Wimbledon

For the third straight year, it’s federer and nadal again at the Wimbledon finals tomorrow. At the semis, federer beat marat safin and nadal beat schuettler , all in straight sets. If federer wins, he will be the first man since 1880’s to win six Wimbledon titles, making him with 13 grand slam titles. The record belongs to Pete Sampras who has 14. He also ties with Bjorn Borg for winning Wimbledon 5 years in a row. For Nadal, if he beats federer, he will be the first man since Borg to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.

logocredit: wimbledon.com

French Open '08

The 2008 French Open starts today May 25th to June 8th, 2008. It is being held at the Roland Garros, Paris. The defending champion for men's singles is Rafael Nadal of Spain and for women's singles is Justine Henin of Belgium who just announced her retirement from tennis. The first Grand Slam event was at the Australian Open held in Melbourne last January. The champions were Noval Djokovic for mens and Maria Sharapova for womens. This is the second Grand Slam for this year. It would be another exciting two weeks in the world of tennis. Good Luck.

Andy Roddick to missFrench Open

Andy Roddick's right shoulder injury made him withdrew from the French Open. French Open will start this coming May 25 to June 8 at the Roland Garros, Paris. Because of his injury, he retired at the Rome Masters' semifinals last May 10 and also missed the Hamburg Masters last week. He is hoping though that he can join the Wimbledon. Andy's only grand slam win was at the 2003 U.S. Open and he ranked sixth in the world.

photo credit: news.yahoo.com

maria sharapova vs. WTA

Dated: May, 8, 2008

(I thought i posted this but forgot - so here it is now and the latest update)

There is a controversy going on now between Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and Maria Sharapova, the no. 2 in women’s tennis. WTA requires players to participate in activities to promote the association and this controversial one is a 4 hour commercial shoot for WTA. Maria Sharapova refused to participate because it will take from fri, sat or Sunday and she has to take a 12 hour flight from LA. She said that she has her own personal rule: no shooting before tournaments because is it mentally draining and she just want to focus on her tennis. She explained her side on her website: mariasharapova.com. If she does not participate, WTA is threatening her with a fine of more than $300,000.

Latest update: as of May 12, 2008

As un update, as of May 12, Maria Sharapova has reached a compromise with WTA and has already completed a photo shoot with them. It was on the day before the Italian tournament (Sunday) but instead of a 4-hour photo shoot it was only for 90 minutes.
On the WTA ranking, Sharapova (Russia) is no. 2 with Justine Henin (Belgium) on the first place and Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) as third. The French Open will start May 25 – June 8 at Roland Garros, Paris.

photo credit: sports.yahoo.com