My U.S. Open Experience! September 9, 2009

On Sunday, September 6, 2009, I got the chance to go to the U.S. Open in New York City! I bought my ticket the night before, and got decent seats on Arthur Ashe stadium. I was so excited to go, and could barely sleep the night before because all I thought about was being there. I have dreamed about going to the U.S. Open since I was 16 and started playing tennis. The all-star lineup made my day at the Open a dream come true, to say the least.

I took the 7 train to Willets Point, which is a stop right between Mets Stadium and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. I got to my seat in the promenade of Arthur Ashe stadium at about 10a.m. On my way to my seat, I saw tennis legend Nick Bollettieri! I wanted to ask him for a photo, but he was talking to someone and seemed engaged in the conversation.

First up was the main reason I was there! Serena Williams! Her 4th round match versus Daniela Hantuchova was to start at 11a.m. Serena had a very easy time winning the match 6-2, 6-0 in about an hour.

After Serena’s match was finished, the man I hope wins the tournament, world No.3 Rafael Nadal took to the court. He was very energetic, powerful, and played very well in beating the 32 seed, Nicolas Almagro 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.

The last match of the day session might have been the most anticipated. It was world No.3 Venus Williams versus 2005 champion, and wild card, Kim Clijsters. Clijsters is back after 2 years off, and without a ranking. Clijsters ended up winning the match 6-0, 0-6, 6-4. It was kind of sad to see Venus lose the match because her leg was very heavily taped, but it was entertaining nonetheless.

After the day session on Arthur Ashe stadium was over, I ran as quickly as I could over to Louis Armstrong stadium to see the Williams sisters doubles match versus Caroline Wozniacki and Sorana Cirstea. But when I got there, the match between world No.6 Juan Martin del Potro was just finishing up. He played unseeded Daniel Koellerer, and won 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

After the men’s singles match, the Williams sisters came on and I got fantastic seats! I was literally about 6 feet from the court and took lots of awesome pictures. Before the match began I had to get to a closer seat and had to shift my way around Oracene Price, their mother! Oracene is just as popular of a person as Serena and Venus in the tennis-world. Anyone who is a fan of Venus or Serena is a fan of Oracene. Also, Serean’s boyfriend, rapper Common, was in the stands. You can see the picture here. He’s the one in the blue shirt. Oracene is the one in red just behind him.

The best part of the night happened after the doubles match. I was leaving Louis Armstrong stadium with the rest of the crowd when I suddenly hear everyone clapping and cheering. I look behind me to see what people are clapping about, and Venus and Serena are literally walking RIGHT BEHIND me! I couldn’t believe it. I was walking out of the stadium with Serena Williams! My battery was dying on my camera, so the flash didn’t take, but as you can see in the picture below I was literally right next to her.

Needless to say I had an absolute blast fulfilling my dreams at the U.S. Open, and being able to walk out of Louis Armstrong Stadium with the one and only Serena Williams. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love her, and how blessed I am to have been there. I can’t wait to go again next year. Maybe I’ll go to the Australian Open in January!

For an entire gallery of the photos that I took check on Facebook or click here for my MobileMe gallery.