Black Tennis Pros

The Louis Armstrong Stadium was alive with talking, screaming and informative 2019 U.S. Open Championship title hopefuls on Friday morning, as Media Day represented one of the many exciting activities that U.S. Open Fan Week has provided.

The bleachers were filled with fans who frequently drowned out the media, and the player being interviewed, whenever one of their favorite  players appeared.  So much so, that the interviewee would yield to the player being thrown chaotic fan love, at least until the noise level died down.

While most of the players attempted to be as forthcoming and responsive as they could be, surprisingly, at least to me, it was Alexander Zverev that placed the most bottom lined response on the table. In response to being asked about his recent losses and how he felt about the upcoming U.S. Open, he responded, “Personal things that I had outside the court, they were a distraction for me. I mean, as I said in the summer, there are a lot of things that I had to do that I didn't do in the last few years, so obviously those kind of things were a new learning process. I'm still a young guy, still only 22 years old. There are still a lot of things that I needed to learn. Not only on the tennis court but in life, in general."

"Those things I think every young person has to go through. The only difference between me and other young people is that I have to play in front of 20,000 people sometimes. You know, that's a little bit extra on you."

“We'll see how it goes, it's the first time in probably a few years where I'm not a favorite in any way at a Grand Slam, and it takes some pressure off, as well. It's a different mindset for me now. We'll see how it goes, but I'm excited." 

Media Day provided a truly informative morning.  To review all player interviews, visit usopen.org

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Ahsha Rolle - Ahsha is now coaching tennis.

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On Thursday, August 22nd, day four of 2019 U.S. Open Fan Week, the Men's and Women's singles draws were announced. Through commentator and video presentations, each quarter of each draw was reviewed and analyzed.

Much attention was given to the fact that No. 8 seeded Serena Williams will compete against world no. 87 Maria Sharapova in the the first round.

The U.S. Open has broken down both draws completely by quarters.  All player information and related analysis can be read at usopen.org.

WOMEN'S SINGLES

Naomi Osaka, JPN(1) vs. A. Blinkova, RUS
WC Coco Gauff, USA vs. Anastasia Potapova, RUS
Sloane Stephens, USA(11) vs. Qualifier
WC Whitney Osuigwe, USA vs. Elina Svitolina, UKR(5)
Venus Williams, USA vs. Saisai Zheng, CHN
Madison Keys,  USA(10) vs. Misaki Doi, JPN
Serena Williams, USA(8) vs. Maria Sharapova, RUS
Taylor Townsend, USA(Q) vs. Kateryna Kozlova, UKR

MEN'S SINGLES

Christopher Eubanks, USA vs. Cristian Garin, CHI(31)
Gael Monfils, FRA(13) vs. Albert Ramos-Vinolas, ESP
Felix Auger-Aliassime, CAN(18) vs. Dennis Shapovalov, CAN
Frances Tiafoe, USA vs. Ivo Karlovic, CRO
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA vs. Tennys Sandgren, USA

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6-4 in the third set tiebreak today @usopen and my opponent is visibly cramping and takes a medical time out which is against the rules . No surprise no one will do absolutely anything about it and pretend nothing happened 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

— Sachia Vickery (@SachiaVick) August 22, 2019

In reply, fellow American tennis player Taylor Townsend not only agreed with Vickery, but stated that she too would be approaching U.S. Open staff on the matter.

Agreed. Totally wrong. I will be bringing this up to the @usopen staff and supervisors as well. We have to come together as players and let our voices be heard. Clarity and consistency in the rules is imperative https://t.co/HhXbjGwtli

— Taylor Townsend (@TaylorTownsend) August 23, 2019

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6-4 in the third set tiebreak today @usopen and my opponent is visibly cramping and takes a medical time out which is against the rules . No surprise no one will do absolutely anything about it and pretend nothing happened 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

— Sachia Vickery (@SachiaVick) August 22, 2019

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Up and work all night, so everybody mi know can alright 🎵 #I’llbeback #dreamville

A post shared by Darian King (@tennisdarian) on May 24, 2019 at 5:15pm PDT

DAY THREE RESULTS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2019

Mikael Ymer, SWE(9) def. Facundo Bagnis, ARG 7-5, 6-4

Taylor Townsend, USA(13) def. Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3

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A post shared by Sloane Stephens (@sloanestephens) on Aug 22, 2019 at 7:24pm PDT

After a very quick departure from her now former coach, Sven Groeneveld, earlier this week, Stephens announced that she was "Happy to be back with Kamau."

Stephens has not been able to maintain the winning standard that she previously enjoyed with Murray, who coached Stephens from 2015 to 2018, during which time she won the U.S. Open in 2017.

Here's to forward movement - Go Sloane!!

Happy to be back with Kamau - excited for the next couple weeks @usopen 💫

— Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) August 21, 2019

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Serena Williams during 2018 U.S. Open in disagreement with Chair Umpire Carlos Ramos after being accused of cheating.

(Associated Press) Almost a full 12 months later, with first-round play beginning Monday at Flushing Meadows, the ramifications of that 1-hour, 19-minute contest still reverberate, including this: Ramos will not officiate matches involving Serena Williams or her older sister, Venus, according to the Associated Press.

“We’ve decided that there are over 900 other matches and Carlos, for 2019, will not be in the chair for a Williams sisters match,” U.S. Tennis Association executive Stacey Allaster said in a telephone interview. “We want the attention of the competition to be on the athletes.”

Says Allaster: “I understand it’s polarizing, but ultimately, we have to look at how tennis competes and is relevant. ... Access is a key part of it; engagement with fans that want to hear from the players and coaches.”

Says Patrick Mouratoglou: “I have never understood why tennis is just about the only sport in which coaching during matches is not allowed.”  Mouratoglou, who acknowledged right after last year’s final that he was attempting to communicate with his player and also noted, correctly, that surreptitious coaching happens all the time and goes unpunished.   Full story here.

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