the opening serve

Tennis belongs to the individualistic past - a hero, or at most a pair of friends or lovers, against the world.
- Jacques Barzun

The last two weeks of August belong to the US Open.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

I grew up playing tennis at the USTA National Tennis Center (now with the added "Billie Jean King"), one of the country's premier tennis facilities and home of the Open, arguable the most exciting of the sport's four Grand Slams. And when I wasn't playing there, I was comforted knowing that it was only a short half-hour drive away, in case I ever needed it.

For those of you who know me, you know that writing and all things creative are my foremost passions. But right up there, since as far back as I can remember, is tennis.

So as I ventured out to Flushing Meadows last week with Alex and my mom, carrying my US Open cinch sack heavy with Blimpie sandwiches, chips, and water bottles, and I began to get those familiar why-am-I-not-a-professional-tennis-player feelings of unsettlement, it occurred to me that for someone who claims to be such an ardent tennis enthusiast, I don't talk much about it. Then when we watched top-seeded players like Novak Djokovic, Jelena Jankovic, and Nikolay Davydenko easily dismiss their opponents, it really began to dawn on me, I haven't played much lately either.

And so I've finally decided to do something about it.

Here then I bring to you a blog that, hopefully, will truly capture my love and respect for a game that I've been fortunate to have with me all my life. In it, I'll talk about the players, the tournaments, the Slams, the stories, the gear, the people that make it all happen.

Oh, and I thought it might also be interesting to chronicle the very unlikely tale of a 24-year-old writer, editor, and graduate film student who is finally going to attempt to play professionally.

Crazy? Never been done before? Too old to start?

Perhaps, but I won't be sure unless I try. My brand new coach starts lessons with me in four weeks. Of course, he doesn't yet know about my dreams of glory, but I think I'll save that bit of information until after we both see how rusty my serve is and how quickly I can improve it.

With that said, let's get this blog underway...