By The Editors 9/05/12 10:40am

Editorials

Two Champions

They were raised far from the perpetual motion of Times Square, and even as recently as a decade or so ago, they might have had a hard time identifying which subway line runs to Flushing. But when the time came to close an important chapter in their lives—and to begin a new one—Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters knew there was no better place than New York.

Their careers certainly have had very different trajectories, and their styles and personalities are singular. But Mr. Roddick and Ms. Clijsters have one very important thing in common. Their tennis legacies were written on the hard courts of the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Queens.

Both Mr. Roddick, who won the U.S. Open in 2003, and Ms. Clijsters, a champion in 2005, 2009 and 2010, chose to end their career at this year’s Open. Ms. Clijsters made it clear months ago that she would be hanging up her tennis bag after her last match in Flushing this year. Mr. Roddick surprised the tennis world by announcing mid-tournament that he, too, would retire after the Open.

Both players won the hearts and loyalties of New York’s discerning tennis fans with their professionalism, charisma and sense of style. Read More

By The Editors 9/28/11 12:03pm

opinion

An UNmodest Proposal Amidst the Crowded Streets

Most people heave a sigh of resignation when the calendar turns from August to September. But Manhattan residents have a special reason to dread the approach of summer’s end. As routines return to normal, as the pace of commerce resumes its hectic pace, as deadlines loom once again, the world descends upon Manhattan for the annual opening of the United Nations General Assembly.

The result: Extreme chaos, frustrating delays, jagged nerves and wasted time. Portions of midtown and downtown are turned into armed camps to accommodate the schedules of the world’s leaders, a fair portion of whom attend the session just for the sheer fun of insulting the U.S., Israel and the West.

This is the burden of being the capital of the world. For the most part, Manhattanites understand that sharing their island with the globe’s leaders requires patience, sacrifice and a certain degree of resignation. Read More

By John Koblin 9/14/10 3:11am

Rafa Wins New York

After two long weeks of hype, it is over: Rafael Nadal has won the U.S. Open. In his ninth career Grand Slam victory, and his first victory here in New York, Rafa defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in a match that started at 4:21, and ended just after 10 p.m. There was Read More

By John Koblin 9/13/10 11:12pm

CBS Abandons U.S. Open Final Mid-Match

The men’s final is currently in a rain delay here in Queens with the rain expected to conclude sometime in the next 30 minutes.

But in a stunning move, CBS has decided to abandon its coverage of the Men’s Final in order to maintain its primetime lineup, and the rest of the match will air Read More

By Nate Freeman 9/13/10 8:42pm

Anna Wintour Talks Tennis at Thakoon

There was a steady drizzle falling by the time yesterday’s Thakoon show began at Pace Gallery on 25th Street, a midway point between Milk Studios and Lincoln Center. And while the indoor Chelsea space kept the show from being hampered by the weather, such was not the case for the final match in Flushing Meadows Read More

By John Koblin 9/13/10 2:57pm

How Much Do We Blame CBS for this Men’s Monday Final?

After about a 24-hour wait, we will finally get to see a men’s tennis match today!

But will anyone else?

The men’s final will broadcast at 4 p.m. this afternoon on CBS. Unless this match goes four or five long and tough sets, there’s a good chance you won’t catch any of it. Tonight is Read More

By John Koblin 9/07/10 9:09pm

It’s Gonna Be a Late Night

Hooo boy. Three hours and forty two minutes into the Sam Querrey and Stanislas Wawrinka match, we’re heading to a fifth set. I’ve got a feeling this isn’t going to be a 20-minute, 6-2 final set either. This has all the looks of a fifth set tiebreak, which means, tack another hour to this match. Read More