Want a sign of tennis’s health? This marks the first U.S. Open in the post-Federer/Serena era. And not only is this scarcely a storyline, but attendance at this event has set three records in the first six days of play. Grounds passes are priced exorbitantly. There are multi-changeover lines for restrooms.
There are also abundant storylines, from titans like Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek, to qualifiers and wild cards clearing their throats and announcing themselves … there are moms in their 30s; teens fresh out of the junior draws … players who arrived from oceans away; and homegrown talent. John Isner and Jack Sock may have departed, but Alex Michelsen arrives. CoCo Vandeweghe may have walked away, but another Coco (Gauff) thunders on. We’ve had marijuana fumes drifting over the court; and wafting rumors of the WTA contemplating moving their showcase event to Saudi Arabia. Carlos Alcaraz belts out tunes, Elena Svitolina shows off her moves … and this song and dance heads to Week 2 …
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