The National Tennis Center suffered only minor damage and the inconvenience of removing and then replacing banners, benches, and television cameras. Grounds crew members stayed over on Saturday night to get an early start on the Sunday cleanup and prepare for opening day. Doors opened to fans at 10 a.m., but several of the courts had staggered start times to allow personnel extra time to arrive. Play commenced on Louis Armstrong Stadium at the customary 11 a.m., but play on Arthur Ashe Stadium was delayed until 1 p.m. With surrounding areas still suffering from power outages and road closures, the early-arriving crowd felt lighter than the typical opening day.
Perhaps the biggest casualty of Irene, though, was Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. The yearly all-day event held at the National Tennis Center the Saturday before the start of the tournament—with free grounds activities for kids and a ticketed stadium show—was cancelled due to the unsettled weather in the area. For players, the anticipation of the storm and its effect on preparation caused the most difficulties.
“It’s taken quite a few days for us sort of waiting for it and kind of having to decide how we’re going to practice,” said No. 4 seed Andy Murray. “If we’re going to try to get in sort of more practice early in the week outdoors, or stick to kind of what the normal plan is and practicing hour and a half, two hours a day and maybe having to go indoors. That’s been the only problem.”
Players are creatures of habit and abhor anything that takes them out of their routines. Mardy Fish is a native Floridian and accustomed to dealing with hurricanes. But taking away his Starbucks—the store closed in advance of the storm—frustrated the top-seeded American. Five-time champ Roger Federer wasn’t too concerned that the wet weather could alter his preparation, as he generally takes a short break before the tournament anyway. “Maybe I just go back and relax instead of trying to hustle around and trying to get an indoor hit,” said Federer. “I'm not 18 anymore where that's the kind of stuff you do to show how badly you need it, how professional you are. But at my age you kind of know what it takes to get ready, and you don't panic.”
Since everybody is in the same position, players all try to roll with it. And if you’re Serena Williams, the storm can even offer a chance at entertainment. “I played a little bit in the rain,” said Serena Williams. “I went to Park Avenue because it was empty and danced a little bit in the streets. It was kinda fun.”
Jon Levey is covering the U.S. Open for TENNIS.com.