US Open diary: Day nine

 

Originally published on: 06/09/11 19:38

Andy Murray was sitting in the player’s lounge ready to take his place on Arthur Ashe Stadium against Donald Young, but the media centre was quiet.

The forecast for Tuesday had always suggested rain would stop play and the word ‘washout’ had been whispered in advance. Even so, the British, US press were here in force just in case their player took to court.

At 1.45pm, the USTA took an unusual step, issuing the following statement:

“The latest forecast indicates worsening conditions with no projected breaks in the rain through the remainder of the day and into the night. Due to this forecast, the USTA is cancelling the Tuesday, September 6 Day Session (session #17), and the Tuesday, September 6 Night Session (session #18). Play will resume tomorrow, Wednesday, September 7 at 11 a.m., weather permitting.

The USTA’s inclement weather policy, which can be found at USOpen.org, is now in effect for both the day and night session of Tuesday, September 6″

Photographers busied themselves with artistic pictures of the rain (the tennishead snapper resisted a shot of the US Open rubber duck floating on a rain-sodden court.)

Stories about stadiums too big to accommodate roofs were filed and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre emptied out as players, media, organisers, sponsors and spectators made their way home. The broadcasters, with valuable airtime to fill opened the archives to find a classic match to replay.

As Manhattan beckons, we hope to be back in business Wednesday morning, until then, as they say stateside, have a nice day!

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