Sunday, September 12, 2010

Final US Open Recap for 2010

Well it was an exciting year for the US Open. Being in New York City for three weeks was quite the experience. It all started with qualifying where the good news started being put on serve. Then came main draw. 1st Monday night I was on Ashe with Federer, and won my first Hawkeye challenge. From there I was on Grandstand and Armstrong a lot of the tournament. The good news kept on coming when the following Monday I was Awarded the Jack Stahr Award. I will never forget the Djokavic match where I was challenged 4 times and won all 4 challenges (I sound like Al Bundy, he had 4 touchdowns in one game back in high school). When all was said and done I was extended to the final weekend and put on the women's final. For those of you who watched I was on a baseline so I was probably hardly seen. Stepping on the court on the final of a Slam, with a 25,000 person stadium packed full was truly a memory I will have forever.

The most rewarding experience though was stepping onto the court for my first wheelchair match. These athletes are amazing at what they do and it was very humbling to be on court with them.

All in all it was a great experience, got to see some old friends, and made new friends. The experiences I had at this open far exceeded the experiences that I had at last years, and hopefully they will keep on coming for years to come.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Saturday US Open Update

Well, since my last post some things have changed. Two days ago I was in the recruitment booth trying to recruit new officials, and yesterday I was on the back courts doing juniors and wheelchair tennis. This was actually very cool because I had never seen wheelchair tennis before, I was very impressed and humbled. What these athletes do is unbelievable. Today, I am on the back courts again working juniors and wheelchair until tonight when I go to the big house and work the women's championship match, so take a break from college football tune into CBS at 7pm and look for me.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Thursday Open Update

Well all of yesterday, I was on Ashe, which was a lot of fun. We ended our day with the Monfils vs Djokavic match. The first set was a very high level of play, and a lot of lines being hit, especially mine. In fact, in my first rotation my line was so hot, that I was challenged 4 times and won all 4. My last challenge, I called the ball good, the chair umpire overruled me to out, and then the Chase Review said I was correct the ball was in. A very exciting time. Today, Thursday, I am off court working the recruitment booth, tomorrow I will be back on court.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

US Open Update Final Wednesday

So yesterday I was on Armstrong for two men's fourth round matches and a women's doubles QF and and men's doubles QF. Fun day, and because I was at the site until 11pm the night before I got a sub and was home before the sun set, first time I think all tournament. Also, this morning I found out I was being extended until the final weekend. Today I will be on Ashe starting at noon, so look for me on TV. As for yesterdays post with all the spelling errors...that was done on purpose to see how many comments I would get HA

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

US Open Update

Well I am still here at the open, and I haven't forgotten to post on the blog, but because I have been on show courts I have been leaving the site at 11pm for the most part, so I have decided not to post. The past few days I have been on grandstand, except two days ago, I was on Armstrong for the Murray match, and yesterday I was on court 11, where 3 of the 4 quarterfinals in mixed doubles was there. Today, I am on Armstrong where we have 2 men's 4th round matches and 2 quarterfinal men's doubles matches.

Also, yesterday was the awards meeting for officials. I am honored and privileged to announce I received the Jack Stahr award. This award is given to an umpired who is in their first three years at the open in recognition of hard work, professionalism, technical ability and cooperative attitude. It recognizes outstanding work primarily as a line umpire. I am very honored to have received this award.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Main Draw Day 4

Well today, I was on Grandstand again, and got a little more TV time. The day again was pretty routine. I did make my first error, but I corrected myself, so in the end I got the call correct. I am writing this from the site, because my court got a match added to it from another court, so I will be here for awhile. Tomorrow I will be out in the park right outside the site to be a chair umpire for the Junior Qualifying tournament. Saturday I will return to the main site again, that is if we don't get any of the wet stuff.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Main Draw Day 3

Well today was day 3 of the main draw here at the open. I was put on another TV court, Grand Stand. The day went smooth and quick...too quick actually because we ended getting another matched moved to us, the Bryan Brothers. Our first match was interesting because one of the participants passed out. Other than that the day was routine, I did not get hawkeyed which was nice. Actually, my crew only got hawkeyed once and the lineumpire who got challenged was correct. That is it for now.

US Open Update Main Draw Days 1 and 2

Alright, so I skipped day 1 because I was at the site until midnight so i decided not to do one then, so i guess that is where i will start. Monday I made my debut on Ashe Stadium, working the night matches. First up was with Venus, and second was Federer. The matches were pretty routine. I did get challenged on the baseline by Federer, and the Chase Review said I was correct.

Tuesday I was out on court 14, 3 women's matches and a men's match. The men's match was exciting, it went to a 5th set tiebreak.

Keep up to date with me on twitter, if I am on a TV court I will put it up on there. The TV courts are Ashe, Louis Armstrong, Grandstand, 7 and 11. Wednesday, we are taking the group picture. I was not able to be in it last year because of weather.