Scrapbook > D2S Visits the U.S. Open (9)
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On the Boardwalk
From Manhattan, we joined the shorts-wearing, tennis-loving crowds on the 7 train and got off at the Shea Stadium stop. An impressive structure of boardwalks guides you from the train tracks to the amazing U.S. Open campus. Our goal: to check out the design-related side of the country's premiere tennis event.
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On Line
Excitement builds as the boardwalk yields to leafy, tree-lined walkways where tight security checks all bags for objectionables and ensures a safe and fun tennis experience. Large trees and exotic plants shade crowds from the hot August sun and humidity, a great design plus. In the distance we can see the complex of tennis stadiums and public areas. Everything is well designed to maximize the flow of people. Stadium action is broadcast live on large jumbo TV monitors on the sides of buildings, permitting people sitting at umbrella tables in the food court or lounging on the lawn areas near the vendor attractions to see all the action. We can't wait to watch some live tennis, however! Our first stop is to see young Atlanta phenom Donald Young play Aussie Chris Guccione.
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We're Inside!
We made it inside the U.S. Open grounds and were delighted by the diverse crowds. There were herds of businesspeople in their finest tennis-watching garb, including lots of overheard conversations about hedge funds and stock tips. But this was also Kids Day at the Open, and there were many parents with children of all ages. In this photo, you can see the Arthur Ashe Stadium in the background. Nearby is the Louis Armstrong Stadium. Surrounding these two large venues are many outdoor courts, some equipped with a wall of stadium seating and others less formal with outdoor bleachers.
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Donald Young
How exciting to be watching a 17-year-old fellow step on the court to play his first U.S. Open match! It was easy to tell that Donald was a crowd favorite. His serves were excellent and consistently fast, with 100+ mph accuracy. The weather was tennis-perfect, relatively low humidity for late August, sunny, and barely a breeze to veer shots off target. Young and his opponent, Chris Guccione, made liberal use of water and toweling-off breaks between excellent vollies that sometimes went to five or more shots. We were impressed with the design of the courts themselves. These "hard courts" are made of a man-made surface that is a bit rubberized. It makes the colors pop, including the all-important white lines where officials can rule shots "in" or "out." The hard surface also provides extra traction for the ball (better bounce) and less slippery footing for the players.
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Between Sets
Donald Young, on the left, and Chris Guccione, on the right, take a breather from their on-court action between sets. Donald Young eventually broke Guccione's faster first serves (in the 110 to 120 mph range) and dominated cross-court shots, lobs, and net-rushing slams to take the match and secure his first round win. Good work, Donald. When most of us were 17, we were still learning how to drive! Professional tennis is definitely appealing to a wider audience, but this crowd shot also shows the dominant well-heeled nature of the audience, sporting designer clothing, watches, and accessories. This reflects the advertising and sponsorship side of the U.S. Open, too, with American Express, Rolex, Lexus, and others dominating.
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Ralph Lauren Togs
Our design-savvy D2S representative immediately noticed the stylish tennis outfits worn by the on-court volunteers, here seen huddling between sets. Emblazoned with an oversized Polo logo, Ralph Lauren decked out the Open volunteers -- the balls boys and girls and others who assisted the officials -- in beautiful garb that lent a refined atmosphere to an already refined event. We also loved shopping at the Ralph Lauren store, a very chic boutique filled with U.S. Open/Polo clothing and accessories. Velvet ropes kept people in an orderly line, with young volunteers allowing a certain number of shoppers in the store as others were leaving. Clean white shelving and free-standing displays allowed the colorful clothing and accessories in the store to stand out. A tip of our hat to this U.S. Open sponsor for adding style and great design to the U.S. Open experience.
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On Our Way to Watch Federer
The highlight of our day was watching Roger Federer, the Number One seeded Open player and arguably the most consistently-winning male to play the sport worldwide. This picture was taken as we were heading up the escalator on the side of Arthur Ashe Stadium. We got a great view of nearby Louis Armstrong Stadium -- where we missed watching 6 foot, 9 inch John Isner defeat Jarkko Nieminen, the 26th-seeded tournament player from Finland. To the right of the stadium was an ingenious tree-shaded area for seating, surrounded by long rows of food court stands. We munched on double-decker grilled burgers with carmelized onions, cold beers, and delicious Grey Goose vodka concoctions from a special stand. Some of us skipped the booze, however, and went straight to Ben & Jerry's. Umbrellas shaded circular wire mesh tables in the food court and light, gauzy fabric blocked the sun over the condiment areas -- beautiful design, with the practical side of keeping the sun and heat at bay while we were eating.
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Decorating Sponsor of the U.S. Open
Design2Share, of course, had to stop by the Valspar interior design booth at the Open. This official sponsor's line of paints are high end and beautiful, and we registered for their home makeover sweepstakes. We noticed that the Open crowd crowded into the Valspar stand and many people in the stands sported their "Colors of Tennis" blue T-shirts. Valspar's Colors of Tennis website is particularly exciting, and we encourage you to visit its many inspirational home decorating ideas at http://www.valspar.com/get-inspired/unexpected-color/Ultra_Orange_Color.html.
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Spirit of the Open
As we bid good-bye to the 2007 U.S. Open, we snapped this picture of the inspirational statue that inaugurated the opening of the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Dedicated to the memory of tennis-great Arthur Ashe, the flower-encircled statue embodies the energy, drive, and athleticism of the sport. Behind the statue, in line with the Arthur Ashe Stadium, is a festive flag-line walkway with a perfect sight line to the fantastic stainless steel globe sculpture, the Unisphere, that was the symbol of the 1964 New York World's Fair.
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