Kids comment on the U.S. Open experience
Every summer, New York Tennis Magazine visits dozens of tennis camps. This summer during our travels, we asked kids at all the camps the following question: "If you had a chance to play in the U.S. Open, how would you feel and who would you want to play against?" Here are some of the answers from our local tennis players:
►Maria Bessmertnaya (age 16, ER Tennis): “It would be very exciting for me, and I would like to play because I watch all the matches on television. I would want to play Maria Sharapova because her game is very interesting for me.”
►Aiden Brent (age 9, West Side Tennis Club): “I would want to play Roger Federer because I don’t believe I could actually beat him because he’s one of the best players of all time. I’d be excited and happy and so stressed to play in the U.S. Open.”
►Nicolas DeMaria (age 14, GO! Tennis): “I’d be really nervous, but it would be a great experience. I would play David Ferrer because he has a really athletic game and would move me around a lot. I would adjust to his playing style.”
►Hannah Divine-Rader (age 9, New York Tennis Club [Bronx]): “It would feel like a privilege, but also nerve-wracking. I would want to play one of the top men’s tennis players to challenge myself.”
►Sophia Eisele (age 6, West Side Tennis Club): “It would feel good because people are watching how good you are and how far you’ve come. I would want to play one of my friends at the U.S. Open.”
►Mia Kingiroglou (age 10, Centercourt Tennis Camp): “It would feel like a dream come true because I have been working my entire life for that day. I would play Serena because she is number one in the world, and it would be amazing to play her.”
►Alex Klasiwitz (age 7, TCR—The Club of Riverdale): “ I would feel proud of myself and proud of my dad because he was the first one to encourage me to start playing tennis because he was number one in the state. I hope one day I may become a pro. I would want to play Federer because he is my favorite player and the nicest.”
►Martina Kroupa (age 14, Stadium Tennis Center): “It would feel amazing, and I would probably want to play Petra Kvitova because she is one of my favorite players, and I’ve always wanted to meet her.”
►Gideon Marcus (age 11, New York Tennis Club [Bronx]): “It would be exhilarating to play in the U.S. Open and kind of scary if you lost. I would want to play Roger Federer to challenge my skill.”
►Jeffrey McCready (age 12, GO! Tennis): “I would love to play in the U.S. Open, and it would be great to get the opportunity because its hard to get that far in the game. I would want to play Rafael Nadal even though I might lose because I can learn stuff since he is also left-handed. It would be a fun match.”
►Caroline McGinley (age 8, Centercourt Tennis Camp): “It would be amazing to play in the U.S. Open. I would want to play Caroline Wozniacki because her name is Caroline and mine is too.”
►Zeba Packer (age 7, TCR—The Club of Riverdale): “It would feel fun. I would want to play Cela from this camp.”
►Allesandra Ago Pain (age 6, Sportime Randalls Island/John McEnroe Tennis Academy): “It would be a little crazy for me. I would want to play Maria Sharapova.”
►Jillian Pintauro (age 11, New York Tennis Club [Bronx]): “I think it would be scary because I would be practicing a lot and I would be scared of getting knocked out in the first round. I would want to play Roger Federer because I like to challenge myself. I like to play the boys because they are different in a way at tennis so it would be challenging.”
►Avery Vukhac (age 6, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club): “It would be so much fun to play in the U.S. Open. I would want to play one of my friends.”
►Damon Watson (age 12, ER Tennis): “It would feel like I was living my dreams. I would want to play Roger Federer because I know his game the best and he is one of my favorites, and I really zero in on his game when I watch him.”
►Emily Willett (age 10, Roosevelt Island Racquet Club): “It would feel like a lot of pressure, but really exciting and it’s really fun to play tennis. It would be fun to compete against pro tennis stars. It would also be fun to hear the fans cheering. I would want to play Novak Djokovic because he’s my least favorite player so I’d want to beat him.”
►Andy Yeim (age 6, Stadium Tennis Center): “I would feel good, and I would play Rafael Nadal because I want to play people who are good.”
►Alexea (age 8, Sportime Randall’s Island): “It would feel pretty good because of the tennis. I would want to play my sister because I think it would be fun to play her.”
