Tennis

Jeers turn to cheers for Lendl

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published September 12, 2005

NEW YORK - In his many U.S. Open appearances, Ivan Lendl , a native of the former Czechoslovakia, was never a crowd favorite. In fact, during legendary matches against the likes of Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe , the sport's top American stars of the 1980s, the stoic Lendl often drew jeers.

That changed Sunday when Lendl, 45, returned to the USTA National Tennis Center for his induction into the event's Court of Champions along with the late Maureen Connolly . As Lendl, who lives in Connecticut, was introduced at Arthur Ashe Stadium he received a standing ovation and appeared moved by his reception.

"I don't know what to say," Lendl told the crowd. "It has been a fantastic run. I enjoyed playing here."

Lendl won Open titles in 1985, '86 and '87 and appeared in the final eight straight years from 1982-89. Today, he spends much of his time on the links. Two of his five daughters are considered top-flight amateur golfers.

And as for tennis?

"I played for the first time in nine years about three weeks ago," Lendl said, smiling. "It was interesting."

DAILY DOUBLE: Former University of Florida standout Lisa Raymond teamed with Australian Samantha Stosur to defeat Elena Dementieva and Flavia Pennetta 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the women's doubles final. Raymond and Stosur were unable to convert three match points in the second set, but pulled things together in the third.

"I think everyone that was watching probably knew that I got a bit nervous and tight and started missing some balls," Stosur said. "They got some more balls back, and hit some more winners and stuff like that. I think it was just good that even though we lost the set, I calmed down and kind of pulled myself back together."

Raymond owns four major-championship doubles titles. She won three majors with Rennae Stubbs , including the 2001 U.S. Open.

STAR POWER: As one of the marquee sporting/social events in New York, the U.S. Open has become a hub for celebrities, especially on championship Sunday.

The list of big shots attending the men's final included Giorgio Armani , Lance Armstrong , Christie Brinkley , Jeff Gordon , Ethan Hawke , Dustin Hoffman , Spike Lee , James Taylor , Donald Trump and Robin Williams . Taylor and his son, Ben , sang America the Beautiful before the match.

During breaks in play, the faces of the famous often were flashed on Ashe Stadium's two giant screens. Most were cheered, but in the third set many in the stands booed when Fox personality Bill O'Reilly was shown enjoying the match.

LAST WORD: "They can make a bad day seem irrelevant." - Andre Agassi , talking about his wife, tennis legend Steffi Graf , and children Jaden and Jaz .

[Last modified September 12, 2005, 03:15:25]