Lead-up to the U.S. Open is a workout for players
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The U.S. Open officially runs 14 days for main draw play. Savvy fans know they can catch free tennis the week prior during the qualifying rounds. But insiders get to mix with players around town as they fulfill their end of endorsement deals with personal appearances at media events, parties and more.
Here's a glimpse of the off-court action during pre-Open week, which became a 'U.S. Open Series' of a different kind and required nearly as much stamina.
The U.S. Open officially runs 14 days for main draw play. Savvy fans know they can catch free tennis the week prior during the qualifying rounds. But insiders get to mix with players around town as they fulfill their end of endorsement deals with personal appearances at media events, parties and more.
Here's a glimpse of the off-court action during pre-Open week, which became a 'U.S. Open Series' of a different kind and required nearly as much stamina.PLAYER SIGHTINGS...
ESPN Deportes: Guillermo Canas, Nicolas Lapentti, Mariano Zabaleta and Juan Monaco were among the hot Latin players at the ESPN Deportes La Revista party at Novecento in Soho celebrating the September issue of the Spanish version of ESPN Magazine, featuring Canas (right) on the cover. It celebrates that 16 of the ATP's top 100 players are Hispanic. Party guests included stars from American Idol and Rock of Love. Editor-in-Chief Andoni Biurrarena said Hispanic athletes are tremendous competitors because the fire to win runs to the core of their being.
"They have a natural talent for sport, and they're very dramatic. They play like they're going to die if they lose. Second place is nothing. They fight until the end," said Biurrarena, adding that a pro career can be deliverance from a bad economy. "They come from very poor countries so they have a different attitude. It's a way to improve life for their family."
The magazine runs 70 percent of editorial from ESPN Magazine, and the balance is special features on Hispanic heroes of baseball, soccer, tennis, motorsports, boxing, and rugby, predominantly. The magazine's website, Biurrarena said, is the most visited Spanish-language website.
Dacor Taste of Tennis: Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Nicolas Kiefer, John Isner, Mario Ancic and Max Mirnyi were among the players who served gourmet treats alongside top chefs like Marcus Samuelsson (Aquavit), Timothy Reardon (Barbounia), and John Shenk (Strip House) at the W hotel for fun (and charity). Click for details and photos. After a walk-through at the Dacor Taste of Tennis, Maria Sharapova high-tailed it over to the Land Rover event.
Mason's Tennis: Kiefer and Ivan Ljubicic indulged fans, and showed off their Diadora duds, at an autograph signing at the midtown shop.
Wilson party: Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic were among the players at the Marquee club for Wilson's annual bash. While guests danced to expertly mixed '80s tunes, video on suspended flat screen TVs showed Federer interviewing himself.
Prince party: Daniela Hantuchova, Bob and Mike Bryan, Xavier Malisse, Vince Spadea, Sam Querrey, Olivier Rochus, and Isner showed at Prince's "O3 in the City" party at Lotus Space. A sushi bar sated guests while emcee Wayne Bryan got Vania King to sing to the crowd. A splashy video was peppered with graffiti, conveying the raw energy of the Open. 
Steve & Barry's: Venus Williams hit the Manhattan Mall shop to announce her new clothing line, EleVen. Like actor Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten clothing line and the NBA's Stephon Marbury's Starbury shoe collection, EleVen will be distributed through Steve & Barry's, which specializes in ultra-affordable goods. The line will be available on Nov. 15.
Bryan Brothers rep dubs: While industry insiders were inside at the Grand Hyatt on 42nd Street—either attending the USTA Tennis Teachers Conferenceor the TIA Tennis Forum presented by Tennis magazine—Bob and Mike Bryan were at the World Financial Center to promote ATP doubles, which the brothers lead at the No. 1 ranking. A full-size court was set up for the public and stars—like former New York Knicks guard John Starks (right) and actor Mike Lombardi from "Rescue Me"—to play alongside the Hudson River.Player party: Presumably all the competitors hit this super-exclusive party at Ono, the Asian restaurant at the base of the Hotel Gansevoort. But since no press was allowed to the Heineken-sponsored event, there are no details to report. The USTA has skipped throwing a player party over the last few years after a history of poor turnout by the players. This event was touted as a Vanity Fair-meets-tennis happening, similar to last year's wildly successful party thrown by the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and the Tennis Channel.
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