A crowd of 27,809 attended the U.S. Open yesterday, a
"record for an Open day session" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/31).
FROM THE PLANET VENUS: USA TODAY's Doug Smith writes
that Venus Williams "believes the sister act" -- herself and
her sister, Serena -- is "attracting more fans, particularly
African-Americans," to tennis. Williams, who won her first-
round match at Arthur Ashe Stadium yesterday: "We definitely
have a large impact. Before, you never [saw] that many
black people at a tennis match. Like [yesterday], there
were quite a few there. In the past, two or three years
ago, it wasn't happening. People are watching what Serena
and I do. I guess they want to be a part of it" (USA TODAY,
8/31). Venus and Serena's father, Richard, on a potential
Women's Final featuring his two daughters: "I think it would
be great for tennis. I think the world needs it. The world
is looking for something different to brighten things up."
Venus, when asked "if the media was obsessed" with her
father: "You guys write what he says. I guess you are
obsessed" (Marc Berman, N.Y. POST, 8/31). In Chicago, Jay
Mariotti wonders how Venus coped with the "unseasonably cool
gusts in the couple of bits of blue cloth she was wearing [a
Reebok dress that she helped design]." Venus: "It wasn't
cold out there. ... I like my outfits. They're great"
(CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 8/31). Open sponsor AmEx runs an ad in
today's N.Y. Times featuring Venus, a "member since '99"
(N.Y. TIMES, 8/31). Venus and Serena appeared in an ad for
the Sci-Fi Channel during USA Network's broadcast of Venus'
first-round match yesterday afternoon (THE DAILY).
THIS IS THE STORY OF JOHNNY ROTTEN: John McEnroe
"autographed his own hand-designed T-shirts," which feature
the NYC "skyline with a Heineken bottle," at the Open
yesterday. McEnroe, who "chastised fans who were reluctant
to part with $21" for the shirt, said, "Don't despair,
remember all the money goes to charity. Not like the
others. That money goes into people's pockets." The John
McEnroe Foundation supports, among others, Save the
Children, Coalition for the Homeless and the Rainforest
Foundation (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/31).
