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Inside Tennis asked a dozen of the world-leading
tennis journalists who've covered all four Slams to rank
the four majors in the order of their preference.
JON WERTHEIM
Sports Illustrated
1 Australian
Open: What every sporting even-never mind tennis event-ought
to aspire to. Accessible, affordable, filled with rabid and knowledgeable
fans. There's an emphasis on fun and entertainment that threads
the entire event. Plus, its spot on the calendar is as much a blessing
as a curse. The players arrive relatively fresh, healthy and full
of optimism, so there's a vibe that eludes the other events. Selfishly,
I just wish it were closer to home.
2 French
Open: Hard
to go wrong with Paris in the spring. Plus, the mesmeric color
and quality of the clay gets bonus points. But it's the Old Europe
sensibilities - the wine list at the snack bars, the orange trees
on the grounds, the statues and on-site newspaper kiosk -that
get me every time.
3 U.S.
Open: Bigger isn't always better, but there's some virtue
in the large scale. Part of the U.S. Open's sheer size occasions
chaos and crass commercialization. But the size also means 20,000
fans staying up late to watch Fabrice Santoro, that after spending
so much time on the margins, tennis becomes a big-time sport for
two weeks. Much like Manhattan, if you learn the tricks of the
Open (take the Long Island Railroad and don't drive; forsake Ashe
Stadium during the day and repair to the Grandstand Court; avoid
the food court but eat at the reasonably-priced Indian food concession)
it gets smaller in a hurry. Not least, there's the tennis. This
event tends to breed the best tennis, as the surface is the most
democratic.
4 Wimbledon: This
is like picking a fourth-favorite ice cream. (It doesn't mean I
dislike WB; I just don't like it as much as the others.) For one,
grass has crossed the line between quaint and anachronistic. It's
just hard to warm to a surface on which virtually no player is
weaned. The exclusivity is icky, the rain maddening, the food inedible.
Any self-respecting tennis fan should try and get to the All-England
once. But once is enough.
ALIX RAMSEY
The Scotsman
1 Australian
Open: To leave Britain's damp little rock in January
and arrive in the middle of the Melbourne summer is a great way
to start the season. The flight is hellish, but the reward is fabulous.
The atmosphere is relaxed, but the crowds are passionate, informed
and sometimes hilarious. Everything works, everyone is friendly
and Melbourne is, quite simply, a great place to be.
2 Wimbledon: I get to sleep
in my own bed, so this one has to be one of my favorite places
to work. Yes, it's traditional, reserved and it always rains-but
there's no place quite like Wimbledon. Like the swan on the river,
it's calm and serene above, but underneath, there is frantic paddling
to keep the whole thing moving in the right direction. And there
are no night matches, thus proving that Britain is still the home
of civilized society.
3 French
Open: Like the rest of Paris,
Roland Garros is small, cramped and packed tight with too many
people desperate to look good and eat well. Thanks to the clay,
each match has the potential to last for a week-and-a-half (and
the last match of the day invariably eats into the evening), and
thanks to it being in Paris, you are never quite sure what is going
to work and when. Nevertheless, it has a certain charm-a sort
of chaotic chic-that makes you want to go back again.
4 U.S. Open: Oh
dear. It's too big, too loud and too long. With night sessions
that can end well into the next morning and spectators more concerned
with their calorific intake than the tennis in front of them, a
fortnight in Flushing Meadows is an endurance test. Most of the
seats in Ashe Stadium provide a wonderful view of the Manhattan
skyline (just to remind you that you are not actually in the city
itself but parked out in a concrete monstrosity) but, alas, those
same seats provide little by way of a view of the tennis. New York
is a fabulous place but, unfortunately, the U.S. Open ain't.
CHRISTOPHER CLAREY
New York Times,
International Herald Tribune
1 Wimbledon: Pros:
Centre Court and generally fine blend of old and new; muffled sound
of ball bouncing on the grass. Cons: prices, crowds on outside
courts, difficulty in procuring tickets, long walk for access.
2 Australian
Open: Pros: Public enthusiasm,
city center location, Laver Arena's atmosphere-particularly at
night, on-site festival feel, retractable roofs. Cons: Heat, grounds
have improved but still lack in charm.
3 French
Open: Pros: Paris nearby,
clay-court game is a thing of beauty - particularly with shadows
across clay in late afternoon, reshuffling of deck in terms of
dominant players, Court One. Cons: Crowding on outside courts and
on grounds is a real problem, price.
4 U.S. Open: Pros:
Public enthusiasm, room to roam, hard-court surface makes for high-quality
matches. Cons: Distance from Manhattan, access, concrete jungle
feeling persists, cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium, lack of gravitas.
CECIL SOLER
Le Figaro (France)
1 Wimbledon: Pros:
Wonderful facilities, historical, subdued and restful atmosphere.
Cons: Food.
2 Australian
Open:: Pros: Summer
and festive atmosphere, being surrounded by smiling and happy people.
Cons: The men's tournament happening all at night during the second
week, the men's final in prime time and the eternal loss of the
traditional image of the two finalists hitting under a warm sun
and very bright light.
3 French
Open: Pros: Greenish surroundings,
classy atmosphere even though it can be a bit overwhelming sometimes.
Cons: The feeling of being stuck in an overcrowded elevator, Chatrier
is definitely too small.
4 U.S. Open: Pros:
Sunset on the Manhattan skyline, the abundant space and facilities.
Cons: Food (except for the Ben and Jerry's ice cream), and more
than anything, the indoor air conditioning!
BUD COLLINS
NBC, Boston Globe
1 Australian
Open: A summer party, tickets are easier to get and
cheaper, no rainouts because of two retractable ceilings, the tournament
is within walking distance of hotels.
2 U.S. Open::
Outside courts are terrific, a lot going on, food good if expensive,
Armstrong is good for watching, but most of Ashe's seats are too
far away.
3 Wimbledon: Too
much rain, tickets difficult, but the queuing experience is fun,
and you can get a seat if you arrive early enough; still the granddaddy.
4 French
Open: Overcrowded, but Chatrier
is fine for viewing.
TOM TEBBUTT
The Toronto Globe and Mail
1 Australian
Open: Three tram stops and three minutes from downtown,
it's easily the most manageable and laid-back of the four Slams.
Great facility, great tennis in the middle of summer vacation when
it's winter back home. What more could you ask for?
2 Wimbledon: The
Big W is irresistible because of the tradition; it's great to see
Centre Court uncluttered by advertising. The facility has improved
a lot in the last decade, compensating for the rain and a few too
many club rules. Nearby Wimbledon Village gives it a unique, folksy
feel.
3 French
Open: It used to be my fave
but the Court Central's upper decks on three sides created a more
cramped, less happy feel since renovations started in '88. The
site is too crowded now, but the gorgeous clay and French savoir
faire still make it a very special place.
4 U.S. Open: It
was a badly needed breath of fresh air in-when the site expanded
and Ashe Stadium was built. Everything but the ridiculously big
Ashe is better, but there's still hassles because the site is so
far from Manhattan and not in a friendly location.
CHRIS BOWERS
The Observer, EuroSport
1 Australian
Open: Still the friendliest, even though it's not
as friendly as it used to be (probably because of heightened security).
It's got the greatest sense of adventure, perhaps because it's
a target for lots of travelers who are on a gap year or having
the trip of a lifetime, and as a North European, I really love
being in a T-shirt and shorts in January!
2 Wimbledon: Has
class, which is a difficult word to define, but when you're in
the grounds, you sense this is run with behind-the-scenes discipline.
It manages to give the impression of being the fuddy-duddy Slam,
when really, it's incredibly well-organized. But they do slightly
spoil the effect by a few too many rules (from picnic hampers to
the number of bags you can bring in).
3 French
Open: A nice tournament,
and much better since they banned smoking from the buildings, but
there isn't a single curved line in the architecture of the Philippe
Chatrier Stadium, which always unsettles me a little. Paris in
the springtime is overblown. The weather isn't great, the food
isn't what it's cracked up to be, and the waiters specialize in
surliness.
4 U.S. Open: Though
better than it was in the pre-Arthur Ashe Stadium era, the U.S.
Open is a commercial and social event first and a tennis tournament
second. I sometimes get the impression watching a match that the
players are like a string quartet in a Viennese cafe - they're
there to provide gentle background entertainment while the real
social and commercial business is carried on. Like many non-New
Yorkers, I have a limited tolerance threshold in the city, and
the USTA can never ever bring itself to admit that it got something
wrong.
JOHN ROBERTS
The Independent
1 Wimbledon: The
last oasis and spiritual home of tennis. The major all players
yearn to win, whatever they may say to the contrary.
2 French
Open: Redolent of the art
deco era and stylish point construction on stamina-sapping clay
courts.
3 Australian
Open: A modern marvel
enriched by characteristic Aussie humor and passion for sport.
4 U.S. Open: Revamped
from its dowdy days and rarely lacking dramatic matches.
MIGUEL LUENGO
EFE (Spain)
1 Australian
Open: Best: The fine air, sun, and facilities and
the tournament that everyone's talking about while you are there.
Worst: The time needed for foreigners to get there, 28 hours from
Europe, and tremendous jet lag.
2 French
Open: Best: Plenty of colors,
the clay, the sun; it's vintage Paris in the springtime. The players
fight like gladiators. Worst: Kids day, because you are unable
to walk around the courts, and if you are a Spanish fan, it's especially
terrible because there are usually a lot of Spanish players left
in the tournament.
3 Wimbledon: It's
still the most important of the Slams, and you can feel its history
on court and off. The facilities have improved greatly, but the
constant rain and the awful commute back to central London are
tiresome.
4 U.S. Open: It's
different than the others because it's New York, the Big Apple,
and the facilities have improved. But there's too much distance
between the courts and downtown Manhattan.
ALAN TRENGROVE
Australian Tennis Magazine
1 Wimbledon: May
not be the most convenient and comfortable of the Slams, but it
remains supreme because of its ambience, its aura of mystique and
rich tradition, the beauty of its grass courts on a warm, sunny
day. Long rainy days can make Wimbledon a bore. Even then, though,
many who spend a frustrating day there don't mind too much, such
is the allure to newcomers. If I were a local, I'd get sick of
the yearly struggle to obtain Centre Court tickets, the interminable
queues, and the crush around the field courts, the exorbitant cost
of sandwiches and strawberries, not to mention the continued lack
of success of British players. Only those with a streak of masochism
would keep paying good money to attend. But the British are forever
ready to invoke the Dunkirk spirit; a little pain is part of the
experience. Wimbledon has done a splendid job in developing the
stadia and grounds in keeping with the game's English traditions.
Its theme of 'tennis in a country garden' really works, and its
recent various additions, such as the Millennium Building, have
been made aesthetically. The new No. 1 Court looks modern, yet
retains the character of the old Wimbledon. Quick-fire grass-court
tennis doesn't appeal to everyone, but today's dwindling number
of serve/volleyers don't hold an overwhelming advantage on grass
any more. Modern rackets have boosted the counterpunchers, making
a grass-court battle more of an intriguing spectacle. There's still
no tennis drama like Wimbledon drama. Remember last year's shootout
between Venus and Davenport and the '01 Ivanisevic-Rafter saga?
And Wimbledon cares for the total game, fostering five-set men's
doubles, and staging both men's and mixed doubles on Centre Court.
2 Australian
Open: Rain, hail or
blistering sunshine, ticket holders at Laver Arena can always be
assured of a full day's program, thanks to the stadium's moveable
roof. Other facilities are well-planned so that it's usually possible
to find a comfortable seat. January is the mid-summer holiday season,
and fans and officials are in a good mood. Many visitors say that
what impresses them most is the friendliness of Melbournians. It
also helps that Melbourne Park is on the fringe of the central
business district and is thus the most accessible of all the Slam
venues. Rebound Ace, Australia's rubberized cement court, is considered
fair to both the offensive and defensive player. However, it seems
to have favored baseliners such as Wilander, Lendl, Courier and
Agassi. The more aggressive Sampras and Becker curbed their attacking
instincts and resorted to more of an all-court game. Nighttime
'blockbusters' attracted capacity crowds and huge TV audiences.
The last two men's finals, Hewitt v. Safin in '05 and Federer v.
Baghdatis this year, took the Open to new heights. However, the
risk of excessive heat in mid-January and doubts about the safety
of Rebound Ace in such conditions are negative factors.
3 French
Open: The prettiest setting
of the Slam venues, but clay-court tennis can be awfully dreary
in these days of incessant topspin rallies. Sampras couldn't win
the French, nor could other attacking players such as Becker, Edberg
and Rafter. How can you totally support a tournament that penalizes
such attractive all-court stroke players? A five-set war of attrition
between two Spaniards on clay on a warm afternoon is one of the
best antidotes to insomnia. French fans are very enthusiastic,
but they are among the worst in the world for bagging players who
fall out of favor, be they French or foreigners. When I saw them
whistle, screech and scream insults at Martina Hingis until she
cracked and succumbed to Steffi Graf in the '99 final, I realized
how Marie Antoinette never had a hope. The best thing is the beautiful
design of Chatrier and the stylish Suzanne Lenglen.
4 U.S. Open: The
gigantic Ashe Stadium looks quite nice but is simply too towering
for such a game as tennis. Was it made so vast just to show off?
The optimum crowd for a tennis match, if everyone is to see what's
happening without binoculars or smelling salts to counter the altitude,
is 15,000. My biggest beef with the running of the tournament has
always been the bizarre scheduling. CBS has too much influence.
Another big put-off is the distance of Flushing Meadows from Manhattan
and the consequent worry about catching a train back late at night.
Flushing Meadows has come a long way since its primitive days,
but it is still a little too raw and raucous for many tastes. In
behavior, the fans clinging like mountain goats to the upper slopes
of Ashe Stadium are more reminiscent of the rambunctious Jimmy
Connors than the gentlemanly Arthur.
PHILLIPE BOUIN
L'Equipe (France)
1 Wimbledon: A
beautiful place with special atmosphere and lots of space. But
it's too expensive.
2 U.S.
Open: Good courts (except
Ashe) and excellent matches that are among the best of the year.
It too is expensive and has a very bad center court, where the
real fans are much too far from the court.
3 Australian
Open: Very friendly
atmosphere; great weather with a terrific center court. But the
Vodaphone Arena is awful, and the outside courts are subpar.
4 French
Open: Everything is nice, except that you can't see anything
from any outside courts without queuing. You cannot be a roving
eye of tennis, and that kills the show most days.
MATTHEW CRONIN
Inside Tennis
1 U.S.
Open: This transplanted Connecticut Yankee could list
dozens of reasons not to like New York (one being the uniquely
incompetent drivers), but the tennis at Flushing Meadows Corona
Park is not one of them. The tournament consistently produces
the most compelling matches, the environment is always highly
charged, and outside of the cavernous stadium, the outside courts
are the best viewing in the business. The spacious, brick-hewn
grounds are a pleasure to walk, and there's nothing like kicking
back in the plaza watching an A-list player slug it out while
some cool jazz hums in the background. And if you venture out
of the grounds into the park on weekends, there's a festive,
Latin atmosphere of food, drink, tunes, volleyball and of course,
futbol. A medium-paced hard court is the fairest surface in the
game, which is why nearly all the game's greats have won here.
1 TIED French
Open: A tie with New
York, not only because the tournament is played in the most attractive
and compelling city of the four (see my "Why I love the French
Open" piece), but because like the U.S. Open, play on the outside
courts is riveting theater. All hardcore fans must journey at
least once to the notorious Bullring (Court 1) where you are
so close you can literally smell the action and are frequently
forced to wipe the orange dust out of your eyes. Court 2 is a
tantalizing treat, as is No. 10 and every obscure court behind
the facility's terrific No. 2 stadium, Suzanne Lenglen. Negatives-amped
alleyways, spotty weather and the U.S. men's lack of know-how on
the surface.
3 Australian Open: So fan and tourist
friendly, so intimate, such a joy to walk around in the Aussie
summer and see and hear fans having the times of their lives.
Tennis talks Down Under, and fans listen and talk back. But why
oh why can't they move the tournament back a few weeks (before
summer ends) so it aligns more closely with the other Slams?
4 Wimbledon: There is much to love about the sport's great ancestor,
especially Centre Court, still the game's best. But unless you
are a lover of monarchy and all the social mores that go along
with it (e.g., bending your knees in front of dukes of minor houses),
you might experience the same feeling I occasionally get when I
pass the Member's Enclosure, which is hearing a loud, ghostly voice
scream, "Off with his head!" Democracy is still dead at Wimbles.
© 2006
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