Perhaps the crowd is obscenely loud and behaves as if at a football match. Perhaps they don’t like Novak, be- cause they generally cheer for Federer. Perhaps the rain falls too often and a fierce wind blows from the Atlantic ... And perhaps, despite all of that or because of it, there is no more exciting tennis tournament than the last Grand Slam of the season. That’s because the US Open is played at the centre of the world, in the most exciting city on the planet - New York. NOLE LOVES NEW YORK Most fans and connoisseurs of tennis will tell you that Australia has the best accompanying programme, that springtime in Paris is unforgettable, and that London is the cradle of the white sport. They will also tell you that there is no crazier time than in New York! After all, two-ti- me champion of America Novak Đoković adores this to- urnament, although it cannot be said that his audience reciprocates that love... - The audience gets involved in the matches, commu- nicating with the players ... Every Grand Slam has somet- hing special. In New York, those are the night matches. You know, music, fun, interaction... That’s all part of the show. That’s part of what we do, and what makes this to- urnament so special. You come here and you know that will be waiting for you – said Novak, speaking about New York on one occasion. But the jet-set in the boxes and good fun is not all that this tournament has to offer. The US Open struts so young among the old-time tournaments and a pile of greenbacks. Because nowhere is there so much money on offer as in the American tournament. America has long since outdone the prize money on offer at the other Grand Slams, and this year (plays from 29 th August to 11 th September) it will exceed the boldest expectations, with 46.3 million dollars! The winners of the US Open in the men’s and women’s competitions will each receive $3.5 million! In comparison, the prize money at Wimble- don this year amounted to $37.2 million, Roland Garros offered $35.4 million and the Australian Open offered $33.57 million. IN THE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD And journalist Rajko Matuško realised the dream of a lifetime last year by sitting at Flushing Meadows beside the world’s rich folk and watching the grand finale between Đoković and Federer live. He saw New York during the U.S. Open, the biggest celebration of tennis in the world... - I’ve always viewed New York as a magical city and ca- pital of the world, and during the time of the US Open, the biggest and craziest tennis tournament, every year I imagi- ned what it would be like to be there, recalls Matuško... - When I received confirmation from the organisers that I had received press accreditation, that dream began to be realised. New York is at its most beautiful precisely in September, when the tournament is held. From the air- port to the city, and wherever you walk, everything is de- corated with billboards, and the giant screens in Times Square display advertisements with tennis legends. Store fronts are decorated with yellow balls, while the tops of the two most famous skyscrapers - the One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building – are
OČI U OČI SA ZVEZDAMA Osim dva prilaza ovom sportskom gradu, postoji i treći, name- njen igračima, novinarima i poznatim ličnostima. Opra Vinfri, Leo- nardo Dikaprio, Majkl Daglas, Ben Stiler, Brus Vilis i Kim Kardašijan samo su neki koje sam prepoznavao. Takve situacije su me prvih dana fascinirale. Zamislite da vas u prolazu ramenom očeše Fede- rer, i još se izvini. Zamalo da kažem „ju ar velkam“ (You’re welco- me – samo izvolite).
FACE TO FACE WITH THE STARS In addition to the two entrances to this city of sport, there is also a third, intended for players, journalists and celebrities. Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Douglas, Ben Stiller, Bruce Willis and Kim Kardashian are just a few that I recognised. Such situations fascinated me in those first days. Imagine that in pa- ssing you rub shoulders with Federer, and he even apologises. I almost said “you’re welcome”!
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