BUCKET LIST … CHECK ✔️

Last week was Beyond Exciting!!

Unexpected and unbelievably EXCITING!

I get most excited about family and experiencing new things.

This adventure might seem a little odd for my predominately introvert peace-seeking personality, even I can see that. To be noted: being unpredictable is also one of my attributes. I dislike boxes. If you’ve put me in one, I likely will disappoint you or surprise you at some point. This could be one of those moments!

My daughter announced to me in May her desire to share an experience with me that neither of us had experienced before! She explained how she wanted to do it for quite a while and after expressing it to her husband again, he said, “Just Do It!” (I love you Danny!)

I felt thoroughly elated, surprised, and stunned when she announced to me …

WE ARE GOING TO… THE US OPEN!!!

For those of you who don’t follow tennis, the US Open is the USA’s biggest tennis event every year in New York City! This is the annual culminating tennis Major event worldwide. It usually begins right after Labor Day and runs two weeks.

It’s held at the Billy Jean King Tennis Center in Queens, NY at Flushing Meadows Park.

I have watched the tournament and all those leading up to it for years. The major tennis events are January the Australian Open (played on hard courts). Around Memorial Day the French Open (played on clay courts in Paris). Around the 4th of July, Wimbledon (played on grass courts in London). Then the US Open after Labor Day (on hard courts) in NYC.

I’ve shared many times how tennis is about the only sport I follow. Even then, I am highly partial to the Women’s side vs the Men’s. Federer was my fav on the men’s side, with Nadal being a close second. I watched their matches, but few others unless a US player was involved.

My son played High School tennis. In middle school, my daughter, the devoted gymnast, decided after watching her brother that she wanted to take lessons too. We obliged, and she liked it! Her goal was to make the High School team in both sports. She did just that in 9th grade and got to take part in both. In tennis, only the top six players count towards the score. In gymnastics, top 2- 3 on each apparatus takes part, chosen by the coaches. She had a successful season in both sports.

After growing 4 inches between 8th and 9th grade AND another 4 inches between 9th and 10th grade, she literally outgrew gymnastics and grew into tennis. Tall tennis players have a longer wingspan helping them reach more balls and long legs benefit few steps to cover the court! At 5’ 10”, Liv hung up her gymnastics career to concentrate on tennis year round. Good choice!

Because of her diligent work, she went on to play college tennis. Playing in the top six all four years! She loves tennis and still plays!

Due to that back history, you know this Momma spent lots and lots of hours court-side! Olivia spent her summers in High School and College teaching tennis camps at Mary Washington University tennis center, which was near our home! Her coach was the tennis pro there. He was the perfect coach for her! She grew to love the sport, as I did sitting court-side!

The ping of the balls off the racket is a soothing, tranquil lullaby in my ears. It played in the background for a lot of my waking hours for over 12 years. The best nap in the world is having the tennis channel set to a match I care little about, volume below 10, curled up with a blanket on the couch. The faint pops of balls … my sleeping aide. It’s glorious!

My daughter took care of all our arrangements! She got tickets for the second week, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Of course, night time matches are usually the highest ranked players. They get Prime Time TV coverage. Plus, this late in the two-week run, we were going to see some well-known players who made it to the final rounds. Giddy to the core!

Wednesday night we saw Jessica Pegula, a USA player, ranked six in the world, play Iga Swiatek, the number one player in the world, match up for the quarterfinals. In an unexpected upset, Jessica Pegula defeated the world number 1 to move onto the semi-finals. It was an exceptional match to watch!! Tennis fan delight!!

After their match we watched Jannik Sinner, the number 1 Men’s player in the world, play Daniil Medvedev ranked 6 in the world (a former number 1 ranked player). Sinner pulled out the five set match finishing up after midnight! Another unbelievable match to watch!!

Can you believe we did not take one picture of the men’s match? Ooops!! I think our phones were dying at this point from traveling in airports and Ubers all day. These photos are from the internet.

Thursday night we had tickets for both of the Women’s semi-final matches. This year was a special treat, an American played in BOTH matches. This is not the norm! It gave way for a potential all American final. The fans were booming inside the stadium with all the delight and prospects of two American women in the finals!!

American Emma Navarro number 13 in the world against Aryna Sabalenka number 2 in the world. Emma had a fabulous college tennis career at UVA, so has not played in the majors long. She’s currently 23 years old. Aryna has been around a longer time in the majors and has always been a force to be reckoned with! I was thrilled to watch both players, knowing that Sabalenka would have to be having a bad day for anyone to beat her! She has been number 1 in the world in years past, but in the top ten for a long time!!

Despite the booming crowd, Navarro succumbed to Sabalenka’s power and experience, but gave a valiant fight!!

Second Semi-final match up, Pegula vs. Muchova. Muchova has been in the top ten many years, but this year was returning from a major injury, but playing well enough to make it to the semis! A major feat!

They battled back and forth and finally with the home crowd advantage Pegula pulled out the WIN! She would face Sabalenka in the finals. Her very first major final ever!! I’ve cheered many times from my couch for her to make it this far. This year, I got to see and experience it in person!! Amazing!

In case you’re wondering, I am not an introvert at cheering for my player! If I am gonna watch, I am going to have input! Even though I sat among strangers, closely, I brushed aside any approval seeking notions and succumbed to the uncontrollable urge to cheer “my girl” on! Fortunately, my daughter is the same! Uninhibited!

We should acknowledge that tennis has cheering ethics! We abide by those! We were a little irritated by those who didn’t! From a player’s perspective, Olivia understands the rules are stated to help the players stay focused, so it bothered her. Some people cheer the same for every sporting event, especially in an arena. But, I would say most of the spectators were tennis savvy and aware! The referee does not hesitate to hush the crowd when necessary!

There are so many other things I could share and maybe they will be forth coming.

Let me just say this…

IT WAS A SURREAL EXPERIENCE!!

A pinch me … “I’m here” moment!

Both Liv and I, unexpectedly, teared up when we saw the court walking into the arena for the first time. It was that kind of special!!

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An unbelievable and precious time with my daughter!! Tennis and us: a natural bond.
A comfortable fit: hearts synced.

A lifelong memory and Oh. So. Much. Fun.!!

Oh. my. word. I just can’t find the words for the entire experience!!

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Congratulations to Aryna Sabalenka for winning the U S Open Finals 2024! You are a beast of a player and so much fun to watch! Congratulations Jessica Pegula for placing number 2! Your time is coming. This was a great precursor!! I cheered from my couch!

Seltzer Water with Lime Cheers!!!

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A BUCKET LIST CHECK!

As my tennis playing sister said, “Once you go, you’ll want to keep going!” She’s very wise! I’m contemplating putting it back on my bucket list!

Going to the US Open twice!! Or multiple times!!

I like the sound of that😉

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This however, does not negate my gratefulness, thrill and pure joy of going for the

FIRST TIME!! That IS irreplaceable!!

Have you had any Bucket List moments this summer?

Amazing Experience,

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Share it for us, please.

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