After attending the U.S. Open for the eighth year in a row this week...I have come to the conclusion. I will never attend again. First, my streak of me watching a Rafa match and him losing is over. But here are the reasons why I will never attend again:
1. The U.S. Open has transformed into the modern NBA. Loud, obnoxious music played during timeouts...having to watch aristocratic, drunk people in the stands make fools of themselves...AND,ironically generally only when an American player does something of significance (after a break, etc.)
2. The restrooms are disgustingly dirty...the filthiest of any sporting event in the States
3. The knowledge of attendees is the lowest in all of tennis...the vast majority of fans don't know anything about the players...or even how to keep score.
4. There is nothing fan friendly for KIDS. They've taken out the games (like the speed gun, return of serve system, etc.)...and have built some USTA monstrosity in the former location of the Kids Center.
5. There is nothing set up to handle the heat for the common fans...and yet, if you're high roller with, say, American Express, you get a fan...and even, under certain circumstances, a monitor to watch the other matches.
6. The outer courts utilize benches you'd find at your local high school.
7. The weather has been wonderful...but why no roof? Wimbledon can do it, but the USTA can't?
8. There is no challenge system on the Grandstand. Why?
9. The practice courts that most of the top players use is "protected" by shrubbery so no fans can see a thing.
10. The food is awful...overpriced, and barely "local movie theater" quality.
11. The number of 50-year old women trying to hold onto the last vestiges of their youth by dressing like their teenage daughters is pathetic. Their leathery, tan skin looks reptilian and frightening.
12. The lower level seating, especially the corporate boxes, is mostly empty during the day.
13. The J-Block, need I say more?
14. Didn't you get the memo? The script says requires that Andy Roddick make it to the second week regardless of what happens.
15. The USTA does NOTHING to bring in minorities to the event. And yet, the main stadium is named after Arthur Ashe. The only area whiter in the States is Fargo, ND in the winter.
16. You'd find better landscaping in the inner cities of Camden, NJ.
17. The most beautiful architectural work is actually from the 1964 World's Fair.
18. By the way, did you know that Davis Cup is on display there? No...neither did I until I had gone home.
1. The U.S. Open has transformed into the modern NBA. Loud, obnoxious music played during timeouts...having to watch aristocratic, drunk people in the stands make fools of themselves...AND,ironically generally only when an American player does something of significance (after a break, etc.)
2. The restrooms are disgustingly dirty...the filthiest of any sporting event in the States
3. The knowledge of attendees is the lowest in all of tennis...the vast majority of fans don't know anything about the players...or even how to keep score.
4. There is nothing fan friendly for KIDS. They've taken out the games (like the speed gun, return of serve system, etc.)...and have built some USTA monstrosity in the former location of the Kids Center.
5. There is nothing set up to handle the heat for the common fans...and yet, if you're high roller with, say, American Express, you get a fan...and even, under certain circumstances, a monitor to watch the other matches.
6. The outer courts utilize benches you'd find at your local high school.
7. The weather has been wonderful...but why no roof? Wimbledon can do it, but the USTA can't?
8. There is no challenge system on the Grandstand. Why?
9. The practice courts that most of the top players use is "protected" by shrubbery so no fans can see a thing.
10. The food is awful...overpriced, and barely "local movie theater" quality.
11. The number of 50-year old women trying to hold onto the last vestiges of their youth by dressing like their teenage daughters is pathetic. Their leathery, tan skin looks reptilian and frightening.
12. The lower level seating, especially the corporate boxes, is mostly empty during the day.
13. The J-Block, need I say more?
14. Didn't you get the memo? The script says requires that Andy Roddick make it to the second week regardless of what happens.
15. The USTA does NOTHING to bring in minorities to the event. And yet, the main stadium is named after Arthur Ashe. The only area whiter in the States is Fargo, ND in the winter.
16. You'd find better landscaping in the inner cities of Camden, NJ.
17. The most beautiful architectural work is actually from the 1964 World's Fair.
18. By the way, did you know that Davis Cup is on display there? No...neither did I until I had gone home.