New York, Aug 26 (AP) – Some tennis players eagerly await the U.S. Open each year, drawn by its vibrant crowds, celebrity attendees, energetic music, and palpable buzz. For players like Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys, and Ben Shelton, the cacophony of the tournament is a thrilling experience. "I operate well in chaos," remarked Tiafoe, who has twice reached the semifinals at Flushing Meadows.
However, sometimes the exuberance can spiral out of control. This was evident during a match that concluded early Monday, when there was a more than five-minute delay caused by booing and shouting fans. The uproar was instigated by 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev, who was upset with a ruling from chair umpire Greg Allensworth following an interruption by a photographer who entered the court. "They didn't want to stop," Medvedev said of the fans. "So, whatever." The chaos at the U.S. Open is a fixture, even if it doesn't always escalate to Medvedev levels.
Not everyone easily adapts to the mayhem of a Grand Slam event known for overenthusiastic fans, the roar of overhead airplanes, and the multitude of city smells, from grilling food to marijuana. "It's something you really can't train the brain to deal with," noted 1991-92 champion Monica Seles. "You just adjust to it." Some players, like 2024 champion Aryna Sabalenka or 2014 champion Marin Cilic, initially found the anarchy bewildering but eventually grew accustomed.
Conversely, some players' feelings towards the U.S. Open atmosphere shift from positive to negative. Adrian Mannarino, at 37, summarizes his experience: "In my 20s, I loved coming here. But the older I get, the less I enjoy it. It's a little bit chaotic. There's always a lot of noise." At Wimbledon or the French Open, quieter atmospheres prevail, but the U.S. Open is distinctively boisterous.
Emma Navarro described the contrast between tournaments: "Wimbledon, it's proper, it's elegant. U.S. Open, it's more casual. Casually rowdy, I'd call it." Despite the constant energy, some players, like Shelton, find solace. "I find peace in the chaos," he said, preferring it over quieter tournaments.
For others like retired Agnieszka Radwanska, who struggled to advance past the fourth round, the chaos was an exhausting experience. "Everything takes so much energy from you. Everything is loud," she said. Similarly, some players find the environment around New York City challenging. Elisabetta Cocciaretto, for instance, finds respite by avoiding official tournament accommodations: "I like to separate myself."
Casper Ruud, the 2022 U.S. Open runner-up, once found the event overwhelming. While he has grown to enjoy the city's restaurants, he remains bothered by one aspect: "I'm not a big fan of the smell of weed when you walk around. Every corner of every street, you smell it." (AP) APA APA
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