Time to Rally: Roger and Serena Are Not The G.O.A.T.

May 21, 2020 | By Steven Kaplan
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Photo courtesy of Getty Images

 

Businesses in many areas of the country are reopening and people are reluctant to return if they feel unsafe, which brings me again to this year’s US Open.

The first time I waited outside Arthur Ashe Stadium before they opened the turnstiles for a night match, I had an epiphany about what my 10th-grade Biology teacher meant by the term, “survival of the fittest.”

The US Open is a crowded place and if you find crowds charming and a part of the spirit of a celebration of tennis, “The Open” is the Johnny Depp of sporting events.

Maybe fans would return in mass if given the opportunity and it would all work out great. But would it be worth the risk?

Roger Federer and Serena Williams are not the G.O.A.T.(s). Mother Nature is undefeated and she respects only one thing:

Adaption!

The Open will thrive if it adapts.

 


Steven Kaplan

Steven Kaplan is the owner and managing director of Bethpage Park Tennis Center, as well as director emeritus of Lacoste Academy for New York City Parks Foundation and executive director and founder of Serve & Return Inc. Steve has coached more than 1,100 nationally-ranked junior players, 16 New York State high school champions, two NCAA Division 1 Singles Champions, and numerous highly-ranked touring professionals. Many of the students Steve has closely mentored have gone to achieve great success as prominent members of the New York financial community, and in other prestigious professions. In 2017, Steve was awarded the Hy Zausner Lifetime Achievement Award by the USTA. He may be reached by e-mail at StevenJKaplan@aol.com.

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