Hi everyone. Don't want to take you too far from your ruminations on the draw, but here are two equally important announcements regarding TennisWorld tribal gatherings at the US Open:
Tomorrow, a number of us (I'm driving out with Ray Stonada and Rolo Tomassi - and his three-year old son) are going to screw around at the qualifying tournament with a bunch of TW folks, including GVgirl. Remember, admission is free. It ought to be a loaded schedule, as it was raining out there for a good part of the day today. You can check the schedule here.
In terms of recognizing your fellow TW readers. I never did get it together to order official TW gear that anyone can buy (or win) here, but that will be coming in the fall. I think the best plan is to swing by the Heineken Red Star Cafe, no. 18 on this map. If you see someone just standing around looking like he or she is waiting for someone, ask. Or you can write TW on your baseball cap or t-shirt. Anyway the Red Star cafe is across the way from the entrance to the media center. There are benches and outdoor tables tucked around the side of the cafe, plenty of places to sit and get out of the rain (or heat).
I will try to be there myself at 1, 3 and 5 PM. Think I'll wear my blaze-orange Winchester cap (a new one), make me easy to find wherever I am. I will leave the "Winchester: Reach Out and Touch Somebody" t-shirt at home. Why don't y'all look at the schedule for tomorrow, tonight or in the morning, and post in the Comments what matches you intend to watch? You can use the Comments here to make plans to meet, even if they're different from the ones I've suggested.
On another note: Heidi will tell you more about this tomorrow or Friday in her weekly Deuce Club post, but TW will have a New York gathering on the evening of Friday, August 31st, in Manhattan. It will be to celebrate TW contributor Andrew Friedman (Rolo Tomassi) and the book he co-authored with James Blake. Andrew will be happy to sign your copy. James says he has other plans that night. At any rate, if you are local, or in town for the tournament, or want to fly in for the event, please RSVP to Heidi, and include your email address. Space may be limited and we need to get a pretty good sense of how many people are interested, so please RSVP! The event will not cost anything, so don't fret about that.