The US Open--Top Tennis, Parties and Celebrities

Maria Sharapova

The US Open has once again rolled into New York and it promises to be more competitive and glitzier than ever. A record amount of prize money is at stake, 650,000 spectators are expected and celebrity attendance will be the most paparazzi-friendly in history. And if that’s not enough, the world’s most lucrative annual sporting event is competing for attention with New York Fashion Week for the first time in history.

Hopefully you’ve booked your town cars, Four Seasons hotel suites and contacted a great ticket broker to join the fortnight filled with impressive tennis action and champagne receptions. For US$50,000 some visitors to NYC covered all bases with a package deal at the posh Lowell Hotel. For that price, pampered guests receive three nights at the 2500 square foot penthouse, VIP seating at the men’s and women’s semis and finals, a gourmet basket of champagne and caviar to take to the matches and transportation in a Bentley Flying Spur.

However you get there, there is plenty to do on the grounds and in the city throughout this two-week period. The tournament will feature virtually every top player in the world but highlight the two with the greatest Forbes earnings potentials – Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova. Both superstars are defending champions at Flushing Meadows and smart odds are on them to retain their prized titles. The Swiss is the overwhelming favorite among the men to take his fourth consecutive trophy in New York. Reaching each of the last nine Grand Slam finals and winning the US Open series thanks to his dominant performance in Cincinnati, he’s fit, confident and determined to claim the prize in Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of A-list supporters like Anna Wintour (who rarely misses his matches). Novak Djokovic edged the world’s number one in Montréal but he only needed to win a best of three duel to pull off that magnificent upset. The young Serb is simply not fit enough this year for 21 intense sets of winning tennis though. Other potentials to reach the finals are Rafael Nadal (who has never done well in New York), inconsistent 2006 finalist Andy Roddick, resurgent James Blake, emotional Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis and former champion Lleyton Hewitt, who has had a solid summer.

Sharapova won San Diego earlier this summer and pulled out of Los Angeles with some sort of leg injury. The leggy Russian is never-the-less gracing New York with her loud grunts and ferocious backhands intact. She’s rested and anxious to prove her doubtful critics wrong. Six slightly less publicized ladies will stand in her way; Justine Henin won Toronto but she isn’t fully match-tough; Serena Williams hasn’t played all summer and is a doubtful contender; and Wimbledon champion Venus is ready to back up her London miracle. Serbians Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic seem destined for an international breakthrough, while another Russian, Anna Chakvetadze, wants Gotham fans to finally memorize her excruciatingly difficult last name.

But Sharapova has already won in the celebrity fan department. “I think that she is one of the few young icons today that is meritorious, not just a celebutante,” noted tennis fan Vera Wang. “I think she is someone who proves that just because you are beautiful does not mean that you are not hardworking, accomplished and talented.” Fabiola Beracasa, whose boyfriend is a former tennis player, also reserved her highest esteem for Sharapova: “She’s a phenomenal athlete and I admire that she has a strong, healthy body. I was obviously surprised at how tall and blonde she was but I also admire her fashion sense. For a person of such a young age, she’s not afraid to find vintage pieces and take wonderful risks with her styling!” Wang, Beracasa, Oscar de La Renta, Bee Shaffer, Lauren Bush, Ralph and Dylan Lauren are some of the regulars expected at the grounds, along with Sheryl Crow, Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, and Katie Couric who have already reserved tickets to this year’s parade of tennis stars.

Parties and tennis player sightings are of course on top of everyone’s agenda this year. The Annual Taste of Tennis event will showcase cuisine created by celebrity chefs like Marcus Samuelsson and David Burke and served by tennis stars like Roddick and former US Open Champ Svetlana Kuznetsova. Sharapova will host a Nike party at Top of The Rock (the Rockefeller Centre), while Jancovic will treat guests to a Reebok brunch. Nobu 57 will be packed nightly with tennis stars like Nicole Vaidisova and Daniela Hantuchova, while players like Andy Murray and Tommy Haas will gather nightly at Nick Bollettieri’s Bar at the Radisson Lexington Hotel. Opening Night Gala will feature a grandiose tribute to Althea Gibson with a performance by Aretha Franklin and the rumored appearance of a megastar named Oprah. For some tennis stars though, old-fashioned entertainment in New York City reigns supreme. “I love musicals! They are the best!” exclaims Rafael Nadal. “I always go to Broadway and Times Square when I’m in town!”

— Valentine Uhovski

Wimbledon 2007--Seriving Up This Year's Competition

Roger Federer

There are a few things that will probably never change at Wimbledon. At least one rain delay per fortnight is almost inevitable. The freshly cut court grass will always be green and the players' outfits will forever be white. The champagne will always flow, the fresh strawberries and cream will always entice and Londoners will always faithfully cheer for spirited Brit underdogs like Tim Henman and Andy Murray.

But with each year, The Championships only elevate in levels of prestige and worldwide attention. An exclusive All-England club that will host the 121st Championships this summer attracts the crowds that will not only enter the gates for the anticipated match-ups but for the parade of sightings, parties, and royal cameos.

Sir Richard Branson of Virgin is a certified tennis maniac and his annual pre-tournament bash attracted the likes of Holly Branson, Martina Hingis, Maria Sharapova, and the Williams sisters. Boris Becker, the newly-minted spokesperson for Ralph Lauren hosted the company’s pre-tournament store bash for guests including ASW member Nadja Swarovski and Lady Gabriella Windsor. “Unfortunately I do not play as much anymore, therefore I am a few pounds heavier!” said the three-time champion from London. “Priorities change. It used to be that my next tennis match was the most important thing in my life. Now my three kids are my priority.” This year also marks the tenth anniversary of Diana’s passing and Wimbledon was without question her favorite annual event. The highly publicized tribute concert at the new Wembley Stadium will take place on July 1st and many expect Prince William, Prince Harry and Elton John to make an appearance at the grounds. Interestingly, Kate and Pippa Middleton have received desirable invitations to the members' club section for the tournament. The post-tournament bash at Savoy promises appearances from nearly every notable member of the All-England Club, a sumptuous dinner and the chance to rub shoulders with elated champions.

But Wimbledon is a sporting event after all and all eyes will be on Swiss icon Roger Federer who’s currently riding the winning streak of 48 matches on grass and four straight triumphs at the sport’s most prestigious tournament. And like last year, the dominant world’s number one will be sporting a custom-made Nike white blazer that’s decorated with a crest of triumph and his Leo astrological sign. It’s hard to imagine anyone taking a set from this master, let alone taking a set from a master on his favorite playground. Rafael Nadal just won his third straight French Open crown but is still bowing down to Federer on this surface. “Roger is still the best player on the face of the earth,” the Spaniard told me last week. “I know that when I play him I have to give 120%, not 100% but 120% on every single point to have a chance. It’s tough enough on clay, but Wimbledon is a whole different story.”

The other supporting characters in this tale are Serbian Novak Djokovic, who has yet to prove himself on the surface, and Andy Roddick, who just won a tune-up in England but struggled against the top two and faces a tough draw. Scot Andy Murray is arriving to the bash with an injured wrist, Australian hope Lleyton Hewitt seems in need of a better sports physiologist, and Nikolai Davydenko will be happy to win three or four matches. The wild cards are Tomas Berdych, a Czech with a booming serve and an appetite for a breakthrough, and Marat Safin, who’s too talented and too much of a fan favorite to be discounted. His third-round encounter with Federer might just be the most exciting match of the tournament.

The female battle for the Venus Rosewater Dish is far more unpredictable. Defending champion Amelie Mauresmo seems to be lacking confidence this year. Maria Sharapova, the 2004 champion is yet to win a single title this year and she’s out to make a statement at her favorite contest. The sponsors, fans and the press will be rooting for Maria to reach her second final at Wimbledon but she’ll need more than the one ace she managed at Paris to triumph here. Justine Henin is a top player in the world and every year grass tends to overwhelm her 5’6” frame; however, she’s as determined this time around and she will be looking to own the only piece of silverware she’s missing. Serena Williams should be the favorite if she gets past Henin in an epic quarterfinal match. Venus needs to build some momentum in early rounds to turn her critics into believers this year. Both sisters will have enviable gear on their side; they will be playing with Wilson gold racquets in London. And the two-woman Serbian revolution consists of the cute and photogenic Ana Ivanovic and gutsy Jelena Jankovic.

For now though, it’s anybody’s game and everybody’s competition.

— Valentine Uhovksi

Photo credits: Action Images/WireImage.com