Opening Night Festivities Kick Off the 2010 U.S. Open

August 31, 2010 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Opening_Night_01
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg

Before Roger Federer and Venus Williams took the court for their respective evening first round matches, the Opening Night Ceremonies were held to officially kick-off the 2010 U.S. Open.

Celebrating the theme of  "Dream, Succeed and Inspire," this year’s Opening Night Ceremony was hosted by Christiane Amanpour included tributes to four remarkable individuals who have overcome obstacles and adversity to achieve great things.

"For us who watch tennis and get inspired by it, it is something inspirational, because certainly when you sit in the grandstand or any court and you watch two people matched against each other and you see them giving everything, it is a real metaphor for everything in life," said Amanpour.

Among the guests honored were Martina Navratilova, James Blake, Esther Vergeer and Dori Samadzai-Bonner. Seven-time Grammy Award Winner Gloria Estefan performed and fireworks were set off to symbolize the start of the 2010 Open and a fitting way to officially launch the event.

"You have to have a positive attitude to be a champion, to be a great tennis player, and you have to be in the moment," said Navratilova. "I think, again, that’s what life is about. And if tennis is not the essence of that, because if you’re not with that ball right that split second, if you’re just a second late wondering, oh, did I hit that well? It’s too late."

"The great thing about tennis, it gives you an opportunity," said Estefan. "If you can’t get on a team, every kid can play. If you want to play, there are a lot of opportunities. Tennis is a great sport for individuality and to give kids opportunity to shine in a sport."
 

All photos credited to Kenneth B. Goldberg

Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg

The flags of many nations represent the international flavor of the 2010 U.S. Open and the athletes representing their respective countries

 

Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg

Seven-time Grammy Award winning singer Gloria Estefan performs during Opening Night of the 2010 U.S. Open 

 

Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg

The 2010 U.S. Open is an international event with participants representing all corners of the globe

 

 

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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