[Composed 7/29/2024]
We had no business going to the Citi Open yesterday. Sure, it's our local tournament, and an amazing way to be up close to professional tennis action. Still, we're leaving for a week long adventure with our nieces and nephew today, and we should have been home packing. But, the pull of tennis and a day out with friends was just too much not to at least take in some of the action.
With our niece C in town, there was another level of complication to consider. Would she have the patience to sit through tennis? Would she endure the heat? What about the crowds?
We met our friends Sara and Joe at the venue. Joe, like Shira, is a true fan of the game. Between Shira and Joe, they seem to have an endless appetite for the game. It was Joe who suggested we catch the Paul Jubb vs. Seong Chan Hong match. Joe had seen a memorable Jubb match during Wimbledon, and hoped he'd put on an equally good display against Hong.
Sara, on the other hand, falls into the Ben Simon school of tennis appreciation. Sure, watching a little tennis is nice. But I'm equally happy wandering the grounds, snapping pictures and catching action on the practice courts.
Sarah and Joe also immediately put C at ease. It took me a few extra minutes to arrive at the Jubb/Hong court because I was on parking duty. When I did arrive, I was surprised to see only Shira and Joe there. Turns out, Sara and C were off getting drinks. C's not quick to warm to folks, and I took this as a very good sign.
The Jubb vs Hong match turned out to be C's ideal inauguration to professional tennis. Sitting just a few rows from the action, she could see that there was far more going on than two automatons bashing a ball back and forth. For nearly the entire match, Jubb played from behind, so he had to manage his emotions as he dealt with frustration, missed opportunities and the joy of a few mini-comebacks.
The game turned out to be chalked full of teachable moments for C, and Jubb was the perfect professor. He bashed a tennis ball into the woods out of frustration. He acknowledged his opponent's well played points. He pumped his fist when he had success. Perhaps most importantly, C got to see the final handshake between the two, and that their battle ended after the last point. It was a microcosm a teen was well equipped to appreciate.
Because the matches being played were qualifiers, the crowds were dialed down. Still though, there were plenty of people on the grounds and the excitement of tennis tournament was palpable.
After the Jubb/Hong match, we went in search of ice cream. C and I got two delightful scoops of frozen perfection at the Van Leeuwen Ice Cream truck. At nearly $11 per ice cream, the price was steep. But the quality, quantity and heat of the day made it all a bargain. Shira's single scoop, while cheaper, was tiny and failed this value test.
In the food court tent area, we enjoyed fries and A/C, as Sara, C and I ate. Shira and Joe, no surprise, opted to cook and watch tennis. Good for them.
While on the grounds, we managed to catch Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Aryna Sabalenka practicing. Sabelenka's encounter was especially unique as she was being mobbed walking between the court and the player's lounge. She patiently stopped to sign autographs and take selfies with fans. The intimate nature of it all is what makes the Citi Open such a unique and beloved tournament.
We closed out our day by catching most of the first set of Zachary Svajda vs Mitchell Krueger in the main stadium. I nudged Shira that it was time to go, and she reluctantly agreed. Though not before She and Joe had a strategy session about which match to see next. They decided the smart play was to leave the Svajda vs. Krueger match and make their way to court 4. The court 4 match would soon be ending, and that would put Joe in prime position to get whatever seats he wanted for the next match.
Shira lives for this sort of strategic court hopping, and I know it killed her to leave Joe alone to it.
All in all, the 2024 Citi Open was a home run (oh wait, wrong sport). Joe and Shira got a dose of tennis. Sarah and I enjoyed exploring a unique world and C got the perfect introduction to the sport.
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