The official opening of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the
USTA's National Tennis Center occurred last night at
Flushing Meadows and was telecast live on USA Network. The
ceremony, which included remarks by USTA President Harry
Marmion, John McEnroe and Ashe's widow, Jeanne, also
featured a presentation of 38 former U.S. Open singles
champions and a performance by Whitney Houston. During the
dedication, USTA's Marmion, said of Ashe: "He set the
standard by which other athletes will be judged in the
future" (Robin Finn, N.Y. TIMES, 8/26). NEWSDAY's Joe
Gergen calls the night "well orchestrated and well
attended," and for the former champions who participated in
the dedication, "their gathering was long overdue" (NEWSDAY,
8/26). In Boston, Bud Collins writes, for the "champs who
assembled it was a grand evening" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/26). In
S.F., Bruce Jenkins writes that naming the stadium after
Ashe "is a stroke of selfless brilliance. And it was
heartwarming to witness so many former champions out there,
melting to the applause. ... The sport seems a bit empty
now" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 8/26). The dedication was produced by
Radio City Productions (Radio City Productions).
WHERE'S JIMBO? Three former U.S. champions didn't
attend the ceremony, according to Bud Collins of the BOSTON
GLOBE. Jimmy Connors "passed" and Andre Agassi "fled,
feeling slighted when the emcee neglected to introduce him
at a private dinner beforehand." Pete Sampras "lamely
remained in the dressing room," saying he had to prepare for
his match following the ceremony (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/26).
Connors was unable to attend as he played in the Nuveen Tour
final in Dearborn, MI last night (DETROIT NEWS, 8/26).
AS FOR THE STADIUM: In N.Y., Christopher Clarey writes
that although "spacious," the new facility does not
"necessarily produce better views." From the top row of
Arthur Ashe Stadium "the court is indeed visible but there
is no way to know if a player is laughing or crying.
Perhaps the best thing about it in this tennis era is that
there is also no way to know if a player is wearing Nike or
Reebok" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/26). In Toronto, Tom Tebbutt writes
that "the most welcome improvement is a quantum leap in the
spaciousness of the site" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 8/26). On
"Moneyline," CNN's Myron Kandel: "Ordinary fans, who have
been pushed skyward by [new luxury boxes], will complain
about that and about ticket prices and the cost of the food
served on the premises. But they will still come because
the U.S. Open is one of the world's great sporting events.
Tennis tournaments are very big business these days, even
though the current ranks of players are charisma challenged
and the matches themselves have turned into just showcases
for supersonic serves" ("Moneyline," CNN, 8/25).
SILENCING RUDY? After New York City Mayor Rudolph
Giuliani criticized the deal that former Mayor David Dinkins
made with the USTA in regards to the U.S. Open, Richard
Sandomir writes in today's N.Y. TIMES that Dinkins "produced
a better financial deal for the city than those it has in
stadium leases with the Yankees and Mets." City Comptroller
Alan Hevesi calls it an "excellent deal for the city," as
last year, the USTA paid $1.1M in rent, which "nearly
equaled" the $1.2M the city netted from the Yankees for a
seven-month baseball season. This year, the USTA is
expected to pay $1.5M in rent, and the USTA pays all
maintenance costs while the city "maintains She Stadium and
reimburses the Yankees to keep up Yankee Stadium." The
facility was also paid for by the USTA and the city is
"protected" from any debt payment. The city also calculated
that the Open's "direct" economic impact on the city this
year will be $161.3M, "slightly less than the $166M
projected for the Yankees." Giuliani's Press Secretary
Colleen Roche: "That's not the issue" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/26).
DAVE'S TAKE: On the "Late Show," David Letterman gave
his "Top Ten Ways To Make Tennis More Exciting," including
No. 8: "Every single player must legally change name to
'Bjorn;'" No 7: "Make it more like baseball, the most
thrill-packed sport known to man;" No. 3: "TV commentators
must match Monica Seles grunt for grunt" (CBS, 8/25).
