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A Modest Proposal. . . 09/07/2011 - 12:00 PM

201109071041385020719-p2@stats_com 

by Pete Bodo

NEW YORK—Many of you will recognize the reference in the headline of this post to the iconic essay by satirist Jonathan Swift regarding the children of the poor in Ireland, but I borrowed it with quite a different intent—how to solve the problem of rainouts at the U.S. Open, given the fact that putting a roof on cavernous Arthur Ashe stadium is probably a non-starter (it would be a nightmarish undertaking from an engineering point of view, and the price tag could top out at $200 million—or more).

First, though, a quick update on the conditions here in Queens. When I woke up this morning to the sound of rain on the window, my first thought was, What a difference a day makes. . . Yesterday, the rainout was welcome to many of us, including some of the players. It had a Middle Sunday at Wimbledon vibe. Today, the rain is more than an irritant—it is a menace, threatening to ruin the tournament even though one way or another it will end. It may not but until next Wednesday, and at an enormous cost to a remarkable number of people, including the promoters of next week's Davis Cup ties (the ITF) and the WTA tournaments in Tashkent and Quebec City.

But when I entered the grounds morning, in a rain jacket with the hood up and rain dripping off the brim of my trucker's cap, I had to smile at the surreal nature of the scene. The cheery USTA greeters employed by the USTA at various gates were out in force, even if there were precious few spectators to welcome. They looked like lunatics in their straw hats and flimsy, transparent, ineffective rain ponchos. The PA system—and it's an excellent one with great sound quality and volume—was pumping out an upbeat number by Kesha. Or was it Rihanna? Or the Black Eyed Peas? I don't know, being an old dude, and I didn't encounter anyone young enough to give me a positive ID.

The feeling on the grounds was, to my mind, post-apocalyptic. Not to be overly dramatic here, but the lights were on in various portions of Ashe, as if cliff dwellers were hunkered down, trying to stay warm. Chris Evert was getting her make-up done, bathed in ice-white light in the brighty lit ESPN open-air studio that sits about 20 feet above ground level on the flank of Ashe near the main Jumbotron scoreboard. The images on that giant tablet are hyper-vivid, and appear to bleed together when seen through the thin cold mist. Intrepid fans were huddled like a congress of vultures here and there on the open-air walkways high up on Ashe, and a few hardy groups of fans, or drunks, were already quaffing Heinekens at the Red Star cafe.

As I write this, they're drying off Arthur Ashe, half a dozen groundsworkers of either sex piloting bizarre little vehicles that look like the bumper cars at the county fair, only they're not painted like ladybugs, sharks, or sad-eyed bloodhounds. They're a tepid blue, and bear the U.S. Open logo. It's an insane show of wishful thinking, given the forecast for the day, but I guess it's better than everyone just throwing up his hands and repairing to the Heineken bar to get plastered with the two Andys (Murray and Roddick), Rafa and Donald Young.

Given that Ashe can't be covered, what's the USTA supposed to do when a scenario like the present one occurs? (And there's always a good chance of that, given how wet the northeast has been for the past couple of years at this time of year.) Here's my modest proposal:

Throw roofs over the Grandstand and the new Court 17, or contemplate enclosing them entirely. That doesn't appear to be too daunting a challenge, compared to the mechanics required to put a retractable roof over Ashe, and it would give the USTA two courts to use in the event of a weather disaster. Follow the lead Wimbledon established with it's "People's Sunday" in the event that matches have to be played on those courts. That is, make the limited seating first-come, first-served; just make sure you have plenty of electronic eyes to feed the world from inside those arenas.

Of course, the USTA would have to refund or otherwise make good on tickets that were bought but went unused for those days, but I have to believe the cost of that wouldn't be a deal-breaker, given how much havoc is loosed when the tournament has to run beyond it's alloted time. The bottom line is that the matches must be played—with or without spectators, despite whatever objections the players might lodge vis a vis dramatically different conditions (as long as all the players face the same challenges, it's fine).

This may not be a great alternative, but it's a solution. And it has happened many times throughout tennis history, albeit not at a Grand Slam event. It's about time tennis, a sport so often promoted and described as an "entertainment," embraced the ultimate war cry of that industry: The show must go on!
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Posted by fedfan 09/07/2011 at 12:06 PM

Sounds good, Pete.

I think I'm joining Andy Roddick in his attitude toward John McEnroe. What a lot of hot air.
Posted by Kwaku 09/07/2011 at 12:11 PM

Well, if putting the roof over the whole Arthur Ashe stadium is so engineeringly difficult, why don't they at east put one over the court and the first couple of seating rows?
Posted by Carter 09/07/2011 at 12:13 PM

Alright, on with Rafael "No self-confidence" Nadal. BTW Wozniacki's impersonation of The Cramp was hilarious :]
Posted by Joe Johnson 09/07/2011 at 12:14 PM

I believe that many fans who are not wealthy and/or connected and who have been stuck in upper portion of Ashe recognize what a bad seat that is anyway. The stadium is too large for enjoyable tennis viewing. Why not go after a roof on Louie?
Posted by Sherlock 09/07/2011 at 12:14 PM

Part of me hope it rains all day for the next week. Maybe then they'll get serious about doing something.

"And BeeG chimed in with even if there WAS a roof on Armstrong, what would you do with the people who had pain for 'center court tickets..??"

CL, that's the downside, but to me, it's the only one. If you've got tickets in a certain area of Ashe, you're in. If not, you get your money back. Not perfect, but well worth it for the greater good, so to speak.
Posted by :) 09/07/2011 at 12:19 PM

Build it & I will COME
Posted by CherryNYC 09/07/2011 at 12:19 PM

The upper deck of Ashe is completely pointless and should be lopped off..... then is a roof more feasible?

Posted by Heather 09/07/2011 at 12:20 PM

Tennis fans always get the shaft, whether it be with tv coverage or the weather. Most other sports can be played in the rain! Booo!
Posted by Mr Rick 09/07/2011 at 12:20 PM

of course you know that once they do finally put a roof on something, it will not rain one day at the USO for the next 20 years...
Posted by I'm ghost, boo! 09/07/2011 at 12:20 PM

muller is on the court. Followed by puny Rafa.

Posted by Bored Poet {{{ Beyond Google }}} 09/07/2011 at 12:20 PM

"That worked on so many levels I threw up simultaneously in 5 different time zones."

Jonathan Swift, after throwing a potato at a child and nearly flipping his "Whig", 1732
Posted by Aussiemarg,Madame President,Back In Sydney With A New Brain! 09/07/2011 at 12:21 PM

Rafa coming on court now

In one of his outfits.Blue tee/white shorts
Posted by Kwaku 09/07/2011 at 12:21 PM

Or the players can play with the racket in one hand and an umbrella in the other.
Posted by sokol 09/07/2011 at 12:21 PM

"of course you know that once they do finally put a roof on something, it will not rain one day at the USO for the next 20 years..."

LOL
Posted by CWATC 09/07/2011 at 12:21 PM

The problem is that according to the Wertheim article linked, the grand stand ground is too wet or marshy to support a roof.

so we're left w/ court 17 . . . . ?
Posted by Sherlock 09/07/2011 at 12:21 PM

"Well, if putting the roof over the whole Arthur Ashe stadium is so engineeringly difficult, why don't they at east put one over the court and the first couple of seating rows?"

I wish someone would ask the high-ups this question. Watching people mopping up the courts with freakin' towels is such a great use of the little time we have for play.
Posted by CherryNYC 09/07/2011 at 12:22 PM

Rafa's on the Court.... you've got to move faster today, Rafa.. Vamos

Posted by Gerry 09/07/2011 at 12:22 PM

Nadal coming out late is ridiculous. Do you think that Mueller could get away with that? Makes the opponent wait at the net. Mueller should sit back down now.
Posted by azzz 09/07/2011 at 12:22 PM

Yet More Gamesmanship From Nadal

Getya butt out there
Posted by ixvnyc 09/07/2011 at 12:23 PM

"The upper deck of Ashe is completely pointless"

Nonsense. That upper deck of Ashe is the best thing in all of the sports. You can get tickets on the cheap, and still see absolutely everything. Granted, not better than TV, but in any other stadium, in any other sport, cheap seats are always worse than watching it on TV.

Posted by Kwaku 09/07/2011 at 12:23 PM

The miniroof could be made of glass so that the people soaking in the upper rows can see through it with their telescopes.
Posted by Alexis 09/07/2011 at 12:23 PM

It's a tough situation for the USO because as you say, they can't cover Ashe and that's where the marquee matches are. At the other majors where the main court can be covered, the 'feature' matches can still be played. So, let's say they were to cover Armstrong or the Grand Stand or the new 17 and there was a wash-out? Would the USTA reschedule the OOP so that the matches scheduled for Ashe would now play on Armstrong? Would people holding tickets to Ashe get first priority to go to the other courts? I don't know, I just see a nightmare when an outside court(s) can carry on matches and not the main show court.
Posted by Kristy 09/07/2011 at 12:23 PM

Oh, look at nice dry Wimbledon. What a contrast.

Posted by Interpol09 09/07/2011 at 12:23 PM

Come on, people. Don't be mad at Rafa.

He had a cramp.
Posted by CPM 09/07/2011 at 12:24 PM

"I wish someone would ask the high-ups this question. Watching people mopping up the courts with freakin' towels is such a great use of the little time we have for play."

BG speculated that this would make AA less attractive as a draw than the other courts -- seems pretty plausibly venal, as explanations go.
Posted by I'm ghost, boo! 09/07/2011 at 12:24 PM

hey better suggestion: just put the roof over the corporate and suit seats and over the courts. Screw the poor. What, you bought $100 ticket on the nose bleed section? Too bad. When it rains, only the riches get to watch. he he he It's real American way, you know, don't kid yourselves.

Posted by Kristy 09/07/2011 at 12:24 PM

Umm, errr, am I dreaming? Where's Roddick's match? CBS is showing Rafa instead? Where's the good old Ameribias?

Posted by sokol 09/07/2011 at 12:25 PM

"The miniroof could be made of glass so that the people soaking in the upper rows can see through it with their telescopes."

lol
TWibers are really creative on coming with solutions :-) (smaller roof, glass roof, play in Madison Square Garden...) :-))
Posted by Heather 09/07/2011 at 12:27 PM

Andy's on my computer!!

Posted by CL 09/07/2011 at 12:28 PM

Yeah... I gotta say, I have tried to give up whining/worrying/raising my eyebrows at Rafa's 'we're ready when I say we are ready' tude...but on a day like today, he is really pushing it. Serve him right if it started to rain again just after he FINALLY deigned to join Mueller and the Umpire at the net. More energy gel Rafa...VAMOOOOOS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Mr Rick 09/07/2011 at 12:28 PM

"Nonsense. That upper deck of Ashe is the best thing in all of the sports. You can get tickets on the cheap, and still see absolutely everything."

I have been in those upper deck seats myself and 1) they are by no means cheap - $200 if you are lucky and buy them a couple of months ahead of time and 2) you can see everything yes, if you mean by everything, tennis players that look 1 inch tall
Posted by I'm ghost, boo! 09/07/2011 at 12:29 PM

I see Kwaku is the real American, he he he. U.S. tennis needs to wake up; putting over retractable glass roof over corporate suit seats (about 1/3 of the way, I think) are the only way for the riches, aka the real force who will actually do something about this, to actually put the roof.

Posted by Sherlock 09/07/2011 at 12:29 PM

CPM, I'm confused. What would make AA less attractive? I was just talking about some sort of tarp/cover of the playing surface when it's raining, so that the court would be almost ready to go once the rain stops.
Posted by wilson75 09/07/2011 at 12:29 PM

I don't believe that it's impossible to put a roof on Ashe. However it would mean losing the corporate seats and decreasing the size of the stadium and I don't think the USTA is willing to that.
Posted by Heather 09/07/2011 at 12:29 PM

Kristy, go on the USO website, very good quality!

Posted by Ronald Osborne Jr(Fognini and Li Na biggest fan) 09/07/2011 at 12:30 PM

Heather , that is great news.
Posted by Master Ace 09/07/2011 at 12:31 PM

Gilles Muller serving to begin the match with Rafael Nadal on Ashe

Emmanuel Joseph is chair umpire

Rick Beckham and Taylor Dent doing the commentary for usopen.org
Posted by I'm ghost, boo! 09/07/2011 at 12:31 PM

Oh no, the loudmouth pam S. is sitting the first row, right behind Rafa's seat.

Posted by CherryNYC 09/07/2011 at 12:31 PM

Finally!

Posted by Master Ace 09/07/2011 at 12:32 PM

Andy Roddick to begin the match with David Ferrer on Armstrong

Carlos Bernandes is chair umpire

Doug Adler and Fred Stolle doing the commentary for usopen.org
Posted by Ronald Osborne Jr(Fognini and Li Na biggest fan) 09/07/2011 at 12:32 PM

Play has begun
Posted by CherryNYC 09/07/2011 at 12:32 PM

Looks like Andy-Ferru are playing in front of about 9 people
Posted by Kristy 09/07/2011 at 12:32 PM

Thanks Heather!

Posted by Heather 09/07/2011 at 12:33 PM

Carlos was the chair umpire with the point penalty in Cincy.
Posted by Aussiemarg,Madame President,Back In Sydney With A New Brain! 09/07/2011 at 12:34 PM

Actually I dont mind Taylor Dent as a commentator
Posted by sokol 09/07/2011 at 12:34 PM

Vamos, David!
Posted by Bored Poet {{{ Beyond Google }}} 09/07/2011 at 12:34 PM

Here's a solution.

Play in the rain!

It's fun.
Posted by che' 09/07/2011 at 12:35 PM

Has Rafa appeared yet?
Posted by Ronald Osborne Jr(Fognini and Li Na biggest fan) 09/07/2011 at 12:35 PM

no crowd for Andy ouch
Posted by Mr Rick 09/07/2011 at 12:36 PM

who would like the last word on what a slow, un-confident, cheating, puny player is...
Posted by Heather 09/07/2011 at 12:36 PM

Seriously there's hardly anyone on Armstrong, too bad I can't be teleported there!

Posted by Mr Rick 09/07/2011 at 12:37 PM

correction:

who would like the last word on what a slow, un-confident, cheating, cramping, puny player Rafa is...
Posted by sokol 09/07/2011 at 12:38 PM

"no crowd for Andy"

Roddick?
then it's good for David
Posted by Kristy 09/07/2011 at 12:38 PM

There's no crowd period - they don't think the rain will hold off. Sadly, it just started pouring in Brooklyn.

Posted by Heather 09/07/2011 at 12:38 PM

Andy with the break!! Hold on!
Posted by Kristy 09/07/2011 at 12:38 PM

p.s. Heather, sorry to be dense but all I can find on the USO site is the Nadal match. Where do I find Andy?
Posted by sokol 09/07/2011 at 12:39 PM

uh-oh, Roddick breaks

Come on, Ferru, Vamos!
Posted by Ronald Osborne Jr(Fognini and Li Na biggest fan) 09/07/2011 at 12:39 PM

Young hold his first service game
Posted by fester 09/07/2011 at 12:39 PM

More people watching Young than Roddick. :)))))))))))
Posted by Ronald Osborne Jr(Fognini and Li Na biggest fan) 09/07/2011 at 12:40 PM

Andy breaks , please consolidate
Posted by Sherlock 09/07/2011 at 12:40 PM

A shame that big-time 4th round matches of a slam are happening and nobody is there. We need Ed Harris from Apollo 13 to take over. He'd get a roof on SOMETHING by tomorrow!
Posted by Bored Poet {{{ Beyond Google }}} 09/07/2011 at 12:40 PM

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking it would be really funny if it started to pour in 5 minutes.
Posted by Ronald Osborne Jr(Fognini and Li Na biggest fan) 09/07/2011 at 12:41 PM

Three break points for Muller
Posted by Sherlock 09/07/2011 at 12:41 PM

Rafa starting well. :)
Posted by Aussiemarg,Madame President,Back In Sydney With A New Brain! 09/07/2011 at 12:41 PM

I think Rafa's evil twin just played that 1st service match

Ugh and Ugh!
Posted by 2-0 Gilles 09/07/2011 at 12:41 PM

Um, sorry Gilles.

Um, that's ok Rafa, I will just smoke you today.
Posted by Alexis 09/07/2011 at 12:41 PM

"Djokovic got ahead of Fed, because he is ranked higher"

No, the Fed/Tsonga match is the 'featured' night match because it is considered to be the more attractive match. Has nothing to do with rank. Had Djoker played Tsonga or even Fish, then that would have been the night match versus Fed/Tipsy. So in this case, Fed/Tsonga are gonna get 'more' screwed by the weather by virtue of their match-up being better. Lucky for Djoker.
Posted by ixvnyc 09/07/2011 at 12:42 PM

It just started raining here in Brooklyn :(

Posted by Sherlock 09/07/2011 at 12:42 PM

Roddick in Roger "Pico" mode. :)
Posted by temes 09/07/2011 at 12:42 PM

Andy c'mons twice in his opening service game...interesting
Posted by Master Ace 09/07/2011 at 12:42 PM

Guess typepad lost the match call on Roddick breaking when Ferrer sailed FH wide at 30-40. Ferrer now serves 0-3
Posted by Ronald Osborne Jr(Fognini and Li Na biggest fan) 09/07/2011 at 12:42 PM

both Spaniards off to a slow start.
Posted by ixvnyc 09/07/2011 at 12:43 PM

Alexis,

I don't think anyone in their right mind expects that match (Fed/Tsonga) to be played tonight.

Posted by Aussiemarg,Madame President,Back In Sydney With A New Brain! 09/07/2011 at 12:44 PM

Yes Rafa indeed Come On
Posted by Heather 09/07/2011 at 12:45 PM

Sherlock, goodness I hope it stays that way! :)
Posted by temes 09/07/2011 at 12:45 PM

Young playing excellently again
Posted by Sherlock 09/07/2011 at 12:45 PM

Lol. BP, you're evil. :)
Posted by sokol 09/07/2011 at 12:45 PM

Come on, David, break back somehow.
Posted by Kristy 09/07/2011 at 12:46 PM

Heather, I found Roddick-Ferrer -- only took me 10 minutes. :)

Posted by Heather 09/07/2011 at 12:46 PM

Ughh, is Carlos for real?
Posted by Jai 09/07/2011 at 12:46 PM

Muller has been playing very well this tournament - much above his current ranking - and he's been a tough match-up for Rafa in the past. I think this will be a frazzle-worthy match for Rafa fans. (Well, what's new?)
Posted by Sherlock 09/07/2011 at 12:46 PM

Muller up 3-0. Roger, can you remind me again how slow the courts are? :)
Posted by CPM 09/07/2011 at 12:46 PM

I'm pretty sure it's not *only* a function of the USO's utterly predictable problems with weather, but I kind of don't give a *&^# about the tournament at this point.
Posted by Kristy 09/07/2011 at 12:47 PM

Ohhh sigh.

Posted by Bored Poet {{{ Beyond Google }}} 09/07/2011 at 12:47 PM

Not sure what I want more........

Rafa to win?

or

Rafa to cramp?
Posted by Gerry 09/07/2011 at 12:47 PM

Looks like a good time to let the common people into the lower seats. It just looks terrible.
Posted by Heather 09/07/2011 at 12:47 PM

Yay, Kristy! Just in time for a rain delay....
Posted by Sherlock 09/07/2011 at 12:47 PM

"Ughh, is Carlos for real?"

Heather, what happened?
Posted by Aussiemarg,Madame President,Back In Sydney With A New Brain! 09/07/2011 at 12:47 PM

Rafa says to the umpire the court is slippery

Play is halted
Posted by Aube,First time ever I won a wii game against the kids,yeah:1100 points,again yeah!!! 09/07/2011 at 12:48 PM

Heather,I see you managed to get out of that meeting,atta girl!
Good afternoon every one
And Nadou if you don't mind vamossing!
Posted by Aussiemarg,Madame President,Back In Sydney With A New Brain! 09/07/2011 at 12:48 PM

Both players are now going off court

This is going to be a long,long day
Posted by ixvnyc 09/07/2011 at 12:48 PM

Rain!
Posted by CPM 09/07/2011 at 12:48 PM

Rafa tells the TD that the tournament's only concerned about the money?

Hahahahah. Nice.
Posted by sokol 09/07/2011 at 12:48 PM

Rafa's match is supsended

rain again?
Posted by sokol 09/07/2011 at 12:49 PM

ugghh (((
Posted by Bored Poet {{{ Beyond Google }}} 09/07/2011 at 12:49 PM

That was the best friggin' 10 minutes of tennis EVER!!!!!!!!
Posted by Heather 09/07/2011 at 12:49 PM

Rain delay, Sherlock!

Hi Aube, yes they finished up early! :)
Posted by Kristy 09/07/2011 at 12:50 PM

LOL BP. I am psyched for Andy R's strong start! Take that, David. Get some!

Posted by Aussiemarg,Madame President,Back In Sydney With A New Brain! 09/07/2011 at 12:50 PM

All the players on the 3 courts have gone into the locker rooms now
Posted by Jai 09/07/2011 at 12:50 PM

Really annoying. If this match is going to be played in fits and starts because of the rain, I can completely see Rafa losing.
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