
New York City - Concrete jungle where dreams are made
There seems to be no city quite like New York. So much has been said and sung about this amazing metropolis never mind all the movies and TV shows filmed there. It’s a city I’ve yet to visit but it’s definitely on my hit list and right now there are two overwhelming reasons why I’d love to be there in New York. Firstly, to visit the US Open and secondly, to watch Mad Men series 4.
As a Grand Slam venue, it comes across, on those rare occasions that I’ve been able to watch it online, as a brash, loud, fun and in-your-face tournament, the complete opposite to polite, well mannered, sneeze-if-you-dare ambiance nurtured and adored at the All England Club in South West London. Perhaps if the US Open was played in Manhattan, it might be slightly different, but in Queens, you take the tennis as you find it.
New York as Jay Z sang is indeed the “Concrete jungle where dreams are made of”, but which female tennis players dream will become reality in 2010?
The tournament has suffered a little as Wimbledon champion Serena Williams had to pull out with a foot injury but still made it along to the player party with sister Venus, sporting a new look on designer shoes. One wonders if Carrie Bradshaw would approve of Serena’s red carpet look?

Venus & Serena Williams at the USTA US Open Player Party
Speaking of Venus, she must really be looking for a home Slam title having not won in New York since 2001. She too has been suffering with injury of late so it might have to be a case of mind over matter for her to come through.
Top seed Caroline Wozniacki is in fine form for going one step further than her performance at Flushing Meadows last year. By winning in New Haven and Montreal, she is confident and surely ready to take the next step and bring home a Slam title to Denmark.
The one person who got in her way last year, Kim Clijsters hasn’t had the best 12 months but may be inspired by the city that has given the Belgian comeback queen her only Slams to date. Kim was out hitting balls at the Mets game this week and was one of seven players who took part in an amazing photo and video shoot for The New York Times Magazine.
Check out these amazing James Bond style slow motion video clips complete with special orchestrated music as the girls, in designer outfits, play some shots in the more glamorous surroundings of a downtown studio.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/08/29/magazine/womens-tennis.html?ref=magazine
The talented Dewey Nicks also directed the still photography which is definitely worth a look. He captures Samantha Stosur like a ballerina with her famous strong arms basked in sweaty sunlight and Suzanne Lenglen look-a-like bandana, the Australian is almost unrecognisable from how she normally looks on court.

Victoria Azarenka as photographed by Dewey Nicks for The New York Times Magazine
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/08/29/magazine/tennis-hard-hitters.html
LTB will once again be scanning through all the outfits the players wear in New York and be awarding our winners with the now coveted, Fabulous Frock Award so stay tuned, the NY Tennis Fashion Police are on their way…