By Times Staff and Wire Reports
Published September 4, 2003
NEW YORK - A rainy week has folks at the U.S. Open talking about the possible addition of a roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium or one of the USTA National Tennis Center's other main areas.
USTA chief executive of professional tennis Arlen Kantarian said the association hired planners to see if such a move is "feasible, both structurally and financially."
The weather is sure to strike the USTA where it hurts: in the wallet. The question is, how much?
"I don't have those numbers offhand," Kantarian said. "It's a question that lends itself to the ticket exchange policy, food/beverage concessions, etc. I'll give you a two-word answer and leave it at that - a lot."
The Australian Open has a retractable roof over two of its courts. Wimbledon has a tent to cover Centre Court during rain delays.
ON THE TUBE: A giant TV in midtown Manhattan's Rockefeller Center has displayed Open action from the tournament's start. Because of its prime location (NBC is headquartered across the street), the setup has become a popular stop for tourists and New Yorkers. To accommodate as many fans as possible, bleachers were installed. Those working the site are dressed in tennis attire.
MOVE OVER, DAN RATHER: Anna Kournikova didn't come to the Open as a player, but as a journalist. The well-known Russian, No.146 in the world, couldn't participate because of a lingering back problem, but worked for USA three days last week as a reporter. In her behind-the-scene segments, Kournikova interviewed celebrities and players.
"She worked hard out there," USA's Tom Caraccioli said. "She seemed like she was enjoying herself."
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: On the tournament's opening day, fans were stopped at entrances and told they no longer could bring their own food into facilities. Some reportedly had cooked big meals while others brought snacks. The fans' angry reaction caused the USTA to change its policy later that day.
"The fans spoke up and we responded," the USTA's David Newman told the New York Times.
A cheeseburger, large fries and large water costs $18.50 here.
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Defending champion Serena Williams missed the Open with an injury, but she can be seen at bus stops throughout New York on a promotional poster for USA. Williams pulled out Aug.1 because of surgery on her left knee, leaving the network without much time to adjust. Her sister, Venus, also is on several Open posters. She withdrew because of a stomach injury.
AND THE NOMINEES ARE: U.S. Open champions Stefan Edberg and Steffi Graf and 86-year-old Dodo Cheney are the nominees for the Tennis Hall of Fame.
Edberg won 41 career singles titles including six Grand Slams - two Australian Opens, two Wimbledons and two U.S. Opens. He also won Olympic gold in 1984.
Graf won 107 WTA singles titles and 22 Grand Slams - four Australian Opens, six French Opens, seven Wimbledons and five U.S. Opens. She was the first to win each of the four major singles titles at least four times.
Cheney was the first American woman to win the Australian National Championships in 1938. She competed more than six decades and won more than 20 senior Grand Slams. The induction class will be announced in January.
OPEN MIC: "My request to all players, particularly the top players is to make themselves more available to the media to help our great sport. They have an opportunity now to get things back on track. The fans want to get to know the players. A lot of it is just superstition, not wanting to break your routine. I can tell you it's not going to change anything. Rarely, if ever, does it change anything if you do a couple of minutes or if guys get together as a group. Can you imagine how nice it would be if we got the top players in here to talk tennis?" - Tennis legend and TV personality John McEnroe.
