TENNIS.com caught up with commentator and former pro Mary Joe Fernandez, and got her take on this year’s U.S. Open.
“It’s an exciting tournament to watch,” says Fernandez. “It’s the last Grand Slam of the year and the fans in New York get into it and get loud and rowdy. This year is going to be extra special because it’s Andre Agassi’s last Open. So I wouldn’t miss any of his matches, or points—because of his injury, you just never know.
There are many other interesting and important aspects of this year’s U.S. Open. Want to hear a pro’s take? Here’s what Mary Joe has to say about . . .
. . . the variety of matches:
“I love in the beginning of the tournament how you get to watch different matches. I think the US Open does a great job of moving from court to court. I would listen to see which match they’re going to go to next. There is a big variety of matches shown.”
. . . instant-replay challenges:
“This year it’s going to be fun to watch the players use the challenge system. That’s going to be something that’s new. We had it on TV and as a fan you’ve been able to see it, but now you’re going to wondering, ‘Are they going to challenge? Are they not going to challenge?’, which I think is very entertaining.”
. . . the fairness of hard courts:
“Look for a true bounce. . . . Players are going to get an even bounce all the time, and players will be set to hit the shots more frequently than if they were on the grass or even clay when they get bad bounces. It’s a surface where you can play aggressive, where you can defend because of the footwork, where you’re stable—and I think that is why you see good matches at the U.S. Open.”
. . . the unpredictable conditions:
The weather is always a factor, and in a Grand Slam you always look at the early matches to see who has played the longer matches and if it is catching up with them. If it rains and they have to play back-to-back . . . all those things play into the final results. A few years ago it rained a couple of days in a row and Andy Roddick was one of the fortunate one who got his match in, so he was more rested toward the end and he won that year.”
. . . the fitness factor:
Hopefully by a Grand Slam you hope everyone is a 100 percent, but sheer fitness is key. Especially on the men’s side if they have a long five-setter and have to comeback, it could be tough with a quick turnaround.
