September 2009 Archives

Celtics star Ray Allen speaks at the Fourth Annual Drive for Diabetes Golf Tournament to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; presented by The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN).

What an unbelievable result for the young Juan Martin Del Potro.  His win over Federer is one of the best US Open title matches that I have ever seen, and he truly proved to be a solid contender for years to come.  This reminds me of when Marat Safin beat Pete Sampras for his only US Open title, and it appeared as though there would be a changing of the guard.  Similar to Marat, I believe Juan Martin will win another major championship, but unlike Marat, Del Potro likely won't stop at just two Grand Slam wins.  It was another magical US Open, and look forward to the year end WTA and ATP events.   

So Serena Williams has been defaulted from the women's semifinals due to arguing with a lines judge over a foot fault call.  This doesn't surprise me, and I'm undetermined if this is good or bad for the game....It will clearly make a big wave throughout the world of sports, and it's great to see Kim Clijsters back on the top of the tour.  I think a few players on the WTA tour need to take a few months off, they include:  Ivanovic, Jankovic, Serena and Safina..... Clijsters, on the other hand, is exactly what the WTA Tour needed, along with Melanie Oudin.  As for the men, Rafael Nadal is unbelievable; for him to be in the semifinals after missing a number of weeks is nothing short of "extremely gutsy"....good for Rafa, a win at Flushing Meadows would go down as one of the best Grand Slam perfomances in the Open Era.   PS- I loved being at the US Open this year, had a fantastic time.  Another highlight was covering the World Team Tennis Legends event, with the likes of Billie Jean King, Stan Smith, Tracey Austin and Ivan Lendl to name a few.....Harry C

I find it very hard to believe Nadal could be Federer at Flushing Meadows.  However, if I HAD to make a prediction, I'm going with Novak and Nadal as the last men standing...and of course Serena on the women's side.  As I mentioned, when I was inside the players' lounger, Novak looked SO focused and mature....hence, Todd Martin is a great influence...  GO TENNIS, Harry C

http://www.usopen.org/en_US/interactive/video/index.html?promo=slamtracker#content

Tough loss for Melanie Oudin, but she clearly will be a top 10 player within two years.  It was a great boost for American tennis and the 2009 US Open.  As for the men's tour, it appears Federer, Djokovic or Nadal will be the winners.

Just returned from another day behind the scenes at the US Open.  I bumped into Roger Federer outside of the players lounge; he appears to be in VERY good spirits as the tournament continues.  Unlike years past, I have not seen Rafael Nadal ONCE, in the player's lounge.  Maybe that has something to do with his recent injuries?  On the other hand, John Isner is strolling the grounds with the utmost confidence and enjoying every minute of this event (he was doing that even before his huge win over Roddick).  Oudin looks like a future champion and Kim Clijsters is making me wonder how such a successful comeback is possible?  Enjoying this great event, catch up soon.  GO TENNIS

Hi guys, greetins from the US Open press room, and players lounge.  I just saw Novak Djokovic take down Jesse Witten in an impressive 4 set battle.  Truthfully, Novak is more focused than I've ever seen him, and I believe he could win this title, or make the semis or finals.  The last time I've seen Novak this intense was when he won the Australian Open.  Furthermore, he is ALL business when I see him around the player's lounge.  Just a quick inside look from Flushing Meadows, catch up soon.  PS- Nadal looked good last night.

Hello Friends and Fellow Tennis Talk Colleagues.  Greetings from the US Open media room.  I am 10 minutes away from calling the James Blake-Olivier Rochus match on International TV.  My broadcast partner is Ivanovic's former coach, Craig Cardon.  Thus far, the best inside news I can give you is, Nadal appears to be a bit tired, but is confident after his opening round win over Richard....also, I spoke with Todd Martin yesterday, and he and "Team Djokovic" are very focused on making a title run here.  And finally, Gil Reyes, Ferdasco's trainer, told me that Fernando is in good enough shape to take the crown.  so tay tuned for more inside news from the Open!  Harry C    GO TENNIS