New York City: A Tennis Fan's Guide to the US Open and Beyond

New York City: A Tennis Fan’s Guide to the US Open and Beyond

New York City: A Tennis Fan’s Paradise Beyond the US Open

The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the tennis season, draws thousands of fans, players, and media to New York City. While the Flushing Meadows tennis circus is the main attraction, the city offers a plethora of other experiences for visitors.

Player-Approved Recommendations

Beyond the iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and Times Square, tennis enthusiasts can explore hidden gems recommended by ATP and WTA players.

* Nick Kyrgios in Juice Form: Joe & The Juice offers “The Big Smash by Nick Kyrgios,” a refreshing coconut drink made with strawberries, pitaya powder, and protein.
* Aryna Sabalenka’s Refreshing Serve: Oakberry has collaborated with Sabalenka to create ‘The Power Serve Bowl,’ an açaí bowl with blueberry, peanut butter, and chia pudding.
* The Suite Life in NYC: Top players often reside in Midtown hotels during the US Open. The St. Regis New York and The Lotte New York Palace are popular choices, with Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz staying there this year.

Culinary Delights

New York City is a culinary paradise, and tennis players have their favorite spots.

* Get a Bagel, Any Bagel: Ess-a-bagel in Turtle Bay is a popular bagel spot for players before heading to Queens.
* Italian Dining with Italian Players: Via Della Place in the East Village is a favorite among Italian players like Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Musetti.
* French It Up: Le Baratin and The Odeon offer authentic French cuisine and ambiance for those craving Parisian nostalgia.

Nightlife and Entertainment

After a day of tennis, visitors can dance the night away at popular destinations like Tao.

Serena Williams Returns to US Open in Iconic Denim Ensemble

Serena Williams Returns to US Open in Iconic Denim Ensemble

Serena Williams, the legendary tennis icon, made a grand return to the 2024 US Open, captivating the crowd with a nostalgic nod to her iconic 2004 denim ensemble. This marked her first appearance at a Grand Slam tournament since her official retirement two years prior.

Williams’ presence at the US Open, where she has triumphed six times, was a testament to her enduring legacy in the sport. Her return was met with thunderous applause and admiration from fans and fellow players alike.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s denim outfit was a deliberate homage to the 20th anniversary of her original Nike kit, which became an instant classic. Williams’ love for the ensemble was evident in her interview with Vogue, where she described it as one of her all-time favorites.

“I wanted more pizzazz,” Williams said of her decision to switch to Nike from Puma. “I loved what Andre [Agassi] wore when he wore the jean shorts. I wanted to wear a jean skirt!”

The custom-designed jean skirt, made from a lightweight fabric to ensure optimal performance, was a testament to Williams’ attention to detail and her desire to push the boundaries of tennis fashion.

Beyond her on-court appearances, Williams also took time to connect with former pros, including current world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Her presence at the US Open served as a reminder of her enduring influence on the sport and her continued passion for tennis.

Williams’ return to the US Open was not only a celebration of her past achievements but also a glimpse into her future. Her love for the game and her desire to inspire the next generation of players were evident in every interaction.

As the US Open draws to a close, fans can only hope that Williams’ denim reference will spark a revival of the trend in 2025. Her iconic style and unwavering spirit continue to inspire and captivate the tennis world.

Yonex VCORE Unveils Sand Beige Colorway, Embracing Subtle Power

Yonex VCORE Unveils Sand Beige Colorway, Embracing Subtle Power

Yonex VCORE Unveils Sand Beige Colorway, Embracing a Subtle Power

Yonex, renowned for its iconic scarlet-hued VCORE racquets, has introduced a captivating new colorway: Sand Beige. This unique design departs from the traditional fiery red, exuding a quiet yet potent energy.

The Sand Beige VCORE line encompasses seven models, including the VCORE 95, 98, and 100. While the aesthetics may differ, these racquets boast the same exceptional specs and technologies as their standard counterparts.

Olympic silver medalist Donna Vekic has already showcased the Sand Beige colorway at the US Open, while fellow VCORE endorsers Elena Rybakina and Tommy Paul are expected to follow suit.

The VCORE, now in its seventh generation, is Yonex’s flagship spin franchise. It caters to aggressive players who seek to impart maximum spin and power on the ball. This latest iteration features several enhancements to amplify these traits.

The frame’s tip has been subtly thinned to enhance swing speed. The head has been widened at the 2 and 10 o’clock positions, expanding the sweet spot in the upper hoop and optimizing main string spacing.

Furthermore, the incorporation of silicone-infused grommets facilitates faster string snapback, resulting in increased string movement. This combination of features allows the frame to accelerate effortlessly and generate an extra gear of spin and power when desired.

For players who have always admired the VCORE’s performance but found the traditional red coloring unappealing, the Sand Beige model presents an alluring alternative. It is now available at Yonex.com, TENNIS Shop powered by Tennis-Point, and other tennis specialty retailers.

Haaland's Hat-Trick Heroics Propel City to Premier League Summit

Haaland’s Hat-Trick Heroics Propel City to Premier League Summit

Erling Haaland’s relentless scoring prowess propelled Manchester City to the summit of the Premier League with a second consecutive hat-trick in a 3-1 triumph over West Ham United on Saturday. The Norwegian sensation, who terrorized Ipswich Town last weekend, repeated his treble feat to amass an astonishing 70 goals in just 69 Premier League appearances since joining City from Borussia Dortmund.

City’s title defense has commenced with an ominous display, leaving their rivals in awe after securing four consecutive league crowns. The English champions stand alone as the only team to emerge victorious in all three opening fixtures, largely due to Haaland’s electrifying start.

“There are no words for him. All we can do is help him improve and provide him with as many chances as possible,” said Pep Guardiola, City’s manager.

Guardiola enjoyed the luxury of resting key players Rodri, John Stones, and Kyle Walker after their Euro 2024 exploits, while Phil Foden missed the match due to illness. In contrast, Haaland enjoyed a summer break from international duty and appears rejuvenated.

“I feel great, I feel energized. I had a long vacation and pre-season,” Haaland remarked. “Only footballers understand the importance of a break. You need to rest your body and mind because it’s a long season. It’s not as easy as people think. I feel fresh, and that’s the most important thing.”

After scoring in the opening weekend victory at Chelsea and netting his 10th City hat-trick against Ipswich, Haaland has now established a Premier League record of seven goals in the first three games of a season.

West Ham’s downfall was self-inflicted as they surrendered possession deep in their own territory, allowing Bernardo Silva to set up Haaland for a composed finish past Alphonse Areola. City appeared poised to seize control of the match, but Areola denied Kevin De Bruyne before the Belgian struck the crossbar.

However, West Ham’s first meaningful attack resulted in an equalizer, aided by a City blunder. Jarrod Bowen drove into the City box and his low cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Ruben Dias.

City swiftly regained their composure and restored their lead with an intricate move that culminated in a thunderous finish. Rico Lewis’ pass found Haaland, who unleashed a powerful shot past Areola.

Haaland could have added an assist before the break, but Lewis squandered his deft lay-off. City’s failure to find the elusive third goal left the door open for West Ham in the second half. A swift counter-attack saw Bowen set up Mohammed Kudus, who rattled the post with a fierce effort.

Haaland, however, had the final say, sealing the three points with a clinical finish. The 24-year-old was played in by Matheus Nunes and confidently chipped the ball over substitute goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. Fabianski denied Haaland a fourth goal in stoppage time.

West Ham’s second defeat in three games leaves Julen Lopetegui’s side languishing in 14th place.

US Open Fourth Round Preview: Gauff, Fritz, and Tiafoe Face Tough Tests

US Open Fourth Round Preview: Gauff, Fritz, and Tiafoe Face Tough Tests

Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro: A Rematch with Stakes

Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro, two rising American tennis stars, will face off in a highly anticipated fourth-round clash at the US Open. Their previous encounters have been a tale of two matches, with Gauff winning on hard courts in Auckland and Navarro triumphing on grass at Wimbledon.

For Gauff, this match is a chance to avenge her Wimbledon loss. She acknowledges that Navarro has improved significantly since their last meeting and expects a tough battle. “I need to bring it and mentally be there from the beginning to the end,” Gauff said.

Navarro, on the other hand, is excited to showcase her skills on a grand stage like Arthur Ashe Stadium. “It’s an experience that is something I could have never even dreamed of,” she said.

Despite their friendship, both players will put their bond aside for the duration of the match. Navarro’s aggressive baseline play and anticipation of Gauff’s shots proved effective at Wimbledon. Gauff, however, has been in solid form at the Open and will be motivated to avoid a second straight loss to a fellow American.

Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud: A Clash of Power and Precision

Top 15 players Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud will engage in a classic baseline battle in the fourth round. Fritz’s powerful serve and strong groundstrokes will face off against Ruud’s spinny forehand and consistent play.

Fritz has been in impressive form, while Ruud has shown some vulnerability in his previous matches. However, Ruud’s slightly higher ranking and experience may give him an edge. Fritz’s home-crowd support and determination to succeed at the Open could be the deciding factors.

Frances Tiafoe and Alexei Popyrin: A Battle of Friends and Entertainers

American Frances Tiafoe and Australian Alexei Popyrin will finally face off in a match that has been long anticipated. Despite their friendship, both players are known for their dynamic shot-making and entertaining celebrations.

Popyrin’s aggressive style could give him an early advantage, but Tiafoe’s ability to rally the crowd and turn the match into a running battle could ultimately lead to his victory.

England's Spin Decision Draws Criticism from Eoin Morgan

England’s Spin Decision Draws Criticism from Eoin Morgan

England’s decision to halt bowling spin on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s has drawn criticism from former captain Eoin Morgan. With Sri Lanka struggling at 24 for 1, England opted to bring on seamers Shoaib Bashir and Joe Root instead of continuing with spin from both ends.

Morgan questioned the decision, citing the poor light conditions and Sri Lanka’s vulnerability. “It’s a questionable decision,” he said. “The reason behind that is just the whole context of the last hour or so: it is dark. There’s a reason the seamers can’t bowl: it is dangerous for everybody concerned.”

He emphasized the advantage England had with Bashir, England’s premium fingerspinner, and the fact that Sri Lanka had promoted Prabath Jayasuriya, a No. 9 batsman, to No. 4. “They’re bowling at a No. 9 at one end. Everything is in England’s favor,” Morgan said. “I question the decision… you have runs to play with, you have two or three new balls, everything in your favor. And yet you’re sitting in the changing room.”

England’s decision to come off the field left a near-capacity crowd at Lord’s disappointed. Captain Joe Root expressed the team’s desire to entertain fans, but acknowledged the safety concerns. “We pride ourselves on wanting people to come into the ground and feel like they’ve had a really enjoyable day of cricket, and can walk away wanting to come back for more Test cricket,” he said.

Ollie Pope, who is deputizing for Ben Stokes as captain, has faced criticism for his leadership. After scoring only 30 runs in four innings across the first two Tests, he was caught in the deep for 17 on Saturday.

Sri Lanka’s batting coach Ian Bell expressed hope that his team could still save the game. “The more we can spend time in the middle and that ball gets a bit softer…” he said. “This wicket has been quite a new-ball wicket, if you can get through that. There’s still plenty of batting, and that’s probably been the strength so far this tour: that middle-lower order have got some good runs.”

Pavlyuchenkova Reflects on US Open Journey, Embraces New Approach

Pavlyuchenkova Reflects on US Open Journey, Embraces New Approach

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a veteran of the US Open, has been reflecting on her journey at the tournament over the past decade. Despite reaching the quarterfinals in 2011, she has struggled to replicate that success in recent years. However, she believes she is now on the right track to rediscover her form.

Pavlyuchenkova admits that she put too much pressure on herself in her younger years, but she has since adopted a more relaxed approach. She is now focused on enjoying the process and fighting for every point. This shift in mindset has helped her achieve more consistent results, particularly at the Australian Open.

Despite her success on hard courts, Pavlyuchenkova acknowledges that she has not always been as consistent as she would like. She has recently made significant changes to her team, including hiring a biomechanical coach to optimize her serve and groundstrokes. This decision has paid off, as she reached the quarterfinals at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati and is now enjoying her best Grand Slam result of 2024 at the US Open.

Pavlyuchenkova’s team has expanded since the clay-court swing, but she remains grateful for the support of her partner, Mathias, who has been a constant source of encouragement. She also values the perspective of her hitting partner, Yannick Mertens, who is not from a tennis background.

Ahead of her night-session clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Pavlyuchenkova is determined to improve on her previous performance against the Polish star. She is aware of the challenge she faces, but she is confident that she can put up a better fight.

Pavlyuchenkova embraces the hectic atmosphere of New York City, which she believes adds to the excitement of the tournament. She is determined to channel the energy of the crowd and put on a performance that will remind fans of her potential.

Durham Face Defeat Despite Carse Century in Somerset Clash

Durham Face Defeat Despite Carse Century in Somerset Clash

Durham’s hopes of victory in their Vitality County Championship Division One clash with Somerset dwindled on day three at Taunton, despite a valiant century from A Brydon Carse.

Resuming on 272 for six, Durham added 64 runs to their overnight score before being bowled out for 336. Carse, playing his first game after a three-month suspension, struck a superb 104, while Ben Raine contributed 62. Jack Leach claimed five wickets for Somerset.

Somerset, with a first-innings lead of 156, opted not to enforce the follow-on and instead posted 263 for five in their second innings. Tom Abell led the way with a top score of 56.

After a delay for bad light, Somerset declared, setting Durham an improbable target of 420. However, the visitors stumbled to 15 for three by stumps, leaving them facing an uphill battle on the final day.

Carse’s century was a bright spot for Durham, but the England white-ball international’s efforts were ultimately in vain. The visitors’ batting lineup struggled against Somerset’s spinners, with Leach and Archie Vaughan claiming three wickets apiece.

Somerset’s aggressive approach in their second innings paid dividends, with Tom Lammonby and Tom Banton providing quick runs. Abell also played a key role, anchoring the innings with a patient half-century.

Durham’s hopes now rest on their ability to bat out the final day and salvage a draw. However, with the pitch offering increasing assistance to the spinners, the odds are stacked against them.

AIFF to Pay Two Years' Salary to Marquez if Sacked for Poor Performance

AIFF to Pay Two Years’ Salary to Marquez if Sacked for Poor Performance

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has agreed to pay two years’ salary to Manolo Marquez if he is sacked for poor performance before May 31, 2026. This is a significant departure from the previous contract with Igor Stimac, which did not include a termination clause favorable to AIFF.

Marquez, who was appointed as the senior national team head coach from August 1, 2024 to May 31, 2026, will receive a total salary of $407,000 (approximately ₹3.4 crore) during his tenure. The AIFF will be obligated to pay the remaining balance if Marquez is removed before May 2026 for reasons other than misconduct or material breach of contract.

This clause was requested by Marquez, who was leaving a secure position at FC Goa to take up the role with the national team. The AIFF agreed to this request as a safeguard for Marquez, who is leaving a guaranteed contract with FC Goa.

The terms of Marquez’s contract are similar to those of Stimac’s contracts after October 2022. However, Stimac’s previous contracts included a clause that required AIFF to pay his salary for three months as compensation if he was removed. This clause was removed when Stimac’s contract was renewed in 2022 and was not included in the extension he signed in October 2023.

Stimac, who was sacked last June after India failed to make the third round of World Cup qualification, has filed a complaint with FIFA seeking compensation for the rest of his contract till June 2026. AIFF had argued that Stimac’s contract should have included a termination clause favorable to AIFF.

“There is a difference in the two cases,” said Satyanarayan Muthyalu, then acting secretary-general of AIFF. “In Manolo’s case, he had a contract with a club (FC Goa) for two years which he is leaving so that is a minimum safeguard that any coach will ask for.”

Marquez’s first assignment with the national team will be the Intercontinental Cup, which begins in Hyderabad on Tuesday. India will play Mauritius and Syria in the tournament.

Barcelona's Raphinha Hat-Trick Powers 7-0 Rout of Valladolid

Barcelona’s Raphinha Hat-Trick Powers 7-0 Rout of Valladolid

Barcelona’s resurgence under Hansi Flick continued in emphatic fashion as they thrashed Valladolid 7-0 at Camp Nou, extending their perfect start to the La Liga season to four wins.

Raphinha stole the show with a stunning hat-trick, while Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, Jules Koundé, and Ferran Torres also got on the scoresheet. The Brazilian winger’s performance was particularly impressive, as he set up another goal for Lewandowski and terrorized the Valladolid defense with his pace and skill.

Olmo, making his first start for Barcelona, showcased his quality with two shots that hit the woodwork and a goal ruled out for offside. Lewandowski also came close to scoring more than once, rattling the post with a powerful effort.

Lamine Yamal, who played a pivotal role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, proved to be a constant threat from the right flank, setting up two goals and causing havoc for Valladolid.

Flick’s decision to bring in young talent from Barcelona’s La Masia academy has paid dividends, with 19-year-old defender Sergi Domínguez making his debut in the second half.

Barcelona’s attacking unit of Lewandowski, Raphinha, and the Spanish trio of Yamal, Olmo, and Pedri has clicked seamlessly, giving fans hope that they can challenge defending champions Real Madrid for the La Liga title.

The victory takes Barcelona to the top of the table with 12 points, while Valladolid remains winless and rooted to the bottom.

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