Kids Comment on the U.S. Open Experience
Every summer, Long Island 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:
â–ºVictoria Carol (age 11, Point Set Indoor Racquet Club): "I would be really proud of myself to play in the U.S. Open and would definitely want to play Azarenka.”
â–ºKevin Carbone (age 12, Future Stars Camp Farmingdale): “Playing in the U.S. Open would be great because tennis is a fun sport. I would want to play Djokovic, Nadal or Federer because I would need someone to give me a challenge.”
â–ºKatherine Changtroraleke (age 16, Early Hit Training Center): "I’ve been to the U.S. Open a few times and think it would be an awesome experience to play there. I would either want to play Novak Djokovic or Serena Williams because to me, they are the best players out there."
â–ºVivian Cheng (age 18, Bethpage Park Tennis Center): “Amazing. It would be very special to represent my country. I would want to play Li Na.”
â–ºDylan D’Agate (age 9, Future Stars Camp Farmingdale): "I’ve been to the U.S. Open a couple of times with my family, and it would be awesome to play there. Djokovic and Federer are my two favorite players, and I would want to play them."
â–ºHaley D’Amato (age 10, U.S. Sports Camp): "I like Djokovic the best because he’s a great player, and I would want to play him at the U.S. Open."
â–ºPavel Gromov (age 13, Sportime Massapequa): “Nervous because the whole world can see if I mess up, and I would love to play Federer.”
â–ºLauren Holtzman (age 11, Centercourt Athletic Club): “It would feel amazing because it is one of the closest big tournaments to where we live. I want to play Serena Williams because she hits really hard.”
â–ºNikhil Jaiswal (age 12, Deer Park Tennis Center): "I go to the U.S. Open every year with my parents and friends, and I would want to play Nadal because of how fast he is.”
â–ºSarah Josinsky (age 10, Sportime Bethpage): “Happy, scared, and afraid of getting beaten. I would choose Maria Sharapova as my opponent.”
â–ºTalia Kahan (age 10, Point Set Indoor Racquet Club): "Very excited, and would want to play Serena Williams."
â–ºAndrew Kamali (age 13, New York Tennis Academy): "I would definitely want to play Andy Murray in the U.S. Open because he has a great return."
â–ºMatthew Kolkhoust (age 15, Early Hit Training Center): "I’ve been to the U.S. Open with my family. If I could pick any pro to play at the U.S. Open, it would have to be Novak Djokovic."
â–ºChristine Kong (age 11, U.S. Sports Camp): "I have been to the U.S. Open, and I would want to play Serena Williams because she hits the ball harder than any of the women’s players."
â–ºMichael Liuim (age 14, New York Tennis Academy): "Even though he retired, I would want to play Andy Roddick at the U.S. Open."
â–ºTim Macca (age 14, Sportime Bethpage): “Amazing—it’s always been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. I would play Djokovic.”
â–ºNathanya McCalla (age 13, Sportime Syosset): “It would be fun to play in the U.S. Open because I’ve only ever watched it on TV. I would want to play against Serena Williams because she is the best women’s player right now.”
â–ºGrace McGinley (age 11, Centercourt Athletic Club): “It would be a dream come true with everyone watching and coming to see you. I want to play Maria Sharapova because she is one of my favorite female tennis players.”
â–ºAdam Nachamie (age 12, Sportime Roslyn): "Roger Federer is a good player, so I would want to play him."
â–ºRob Sangirardi (age 15, Hofstra Tennis Camp): “I would feel honored to be playing in such a prestigious event, and would like to face Andy Murray.”
â–ºAva Scurva (age 9, Bethpage Park Tennis Center): “I’d be amazed with myself and would want to face Serena Williams.”
â–ºAidan Seiden (age 13, Sportime Roslyn): "I would want to play Venus Williams at the U.S. Open because I like her better than Serena. I’ve never been to the U.S. Open, but me and my dad always watch it when it’s on."
â–ºMax Sherman (age 11, Sportime Kings Park): "I went to a professional tennis match once and they hit the ball so fast. I would want to play Novak Djokovic because he is number one."
â–ºBen (age 9, Rockville Racquet Club): "I would be flattered and thankful to be at the U.S. Open. I would want to play either Federer or Djokovic if I had the chance."
â–ºEllie (age 9, Sportime Lynbrook): "I would be happy that all of this work had finally paid off! As far as who I would play, it’s tied between Novak and Sharapova.”
â–ºKendall (age 14, Sportime Lynbrook): "It would be the most amazing dream in the entire world! I would want to play against Sloane Stephens at the event.”
â–ºMitchell (age 15, Carefree Racquet Club): "I would be very honored to be playing with the greats. The opponent I would choose would be Roger Federer."
