ROGER FEDERER on Wednesday practiced on a public court in Central Park ahead of his second-round U.S. Open match against MIKHAIL YOUZHNY. ESPN's Chris McKendry said Federer was "just looking for a court because it was so busy" at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. ESPN's Jason Goodall: "Can you imagine you just go to Central Park and see him hit a few balls?" Federer said, "There was a lot of kids, which actually was great to see. At one point during the practice, all 20 courts were empty and everyone was watching my practice. So I hope I didn’t ruin their practice, but it was definitely a great experience for me” (“U.S. Open,” ESPN, 8/31).
NAMES: Supreme Court Justice SONIA SOTOMAYOR, a Bronx native and “avid Yankees fan,” watched Thursday night’s Red Sox-Yankees game in the right field “Judge’s Chambers” at Yankee Stadium. She has “attended a number of Yankee games in the past and was spotted sitting" with the Bleacher Creatures in ’12 (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/1)....Hawks G KENT BAZEMORE "received the Phoenix Award -- Atlanta's highest citizen honor -- for his achievements and service to the city." The award was presented Thursday by Mayor KASIM REED "in a ceremony at City Hall" (AJC.com, 8/31)....Marlins RF GIANCARLO STANTON is featured in a "racy music video" released Thursday in which he "appears in steamy bedroom scenes" with aspiring pop artist LEXY PANTERRA for her new song, "SO GOOD" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 8/31).
