A trip to New York is always something to be relished, but why not time your trip to coincide with one of the biggest and best sporting events in the world?
The number of makeshift tennis courts set up in Ireland every summer during Wimbledon illustrates just how much we love the sport, especially when the weather has been as hot, sunny and just generally lovely as it has been the last few weeks.
Traditionally, the fair-weather tennis fan usually gives up on the sport after all the strawberries and cream have been eaten and after Murray mound has been emptied of the legions of bandwagon-hopping fans but the more astute observer will know to hang around until the US Open at the end of the summer in Flushing Meadows, which must be one of the best names for a sporting arena worldwide, apart from anyone passing by who might be desperate to use the loo of course.
Had Andy Murray been told this time last year that he would be entering this year’s event both as defending champion and as the reigning Wimbledon champion, he would have looked at you with the kind of stare that his mother appears to have perfected when watching from the stands, but that’s exactly how it is after his brilliant victories over Novak Djokovic in New York last year and in Wimbledon earlier this month.
The Serb is likely to be the biggest threat to Murray this year and has been installed as the 7/4 favourite by Paddy Power ahead of Murray (15/8) and the legends whose stars have been fading of late, Rafael Nadal (6/1) and Roger Federer (17/2).
The ladies of course will also be in action in New York at the same time and while they’re nice to look at and all, the likes of 5/6 favourite Serena Williams, last year’s beaten finalist Victoria Azarenka, this year’s Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli and JOE favourite Maria Sharapova will no doubt provide some cracking tennis in their quest for victory.
Alex Ferguson and Sean Connery were just two of the celebs captured in attendance at last year’s event and if you’re making your way to the Big Apple for a few days or a week or two, it’s well worth a detour for hardcore tennis fans and casual sports followers alike.
For more information on the event, you can check out the US Open website and if you’re dead set on making the trip Thomas Cook can help you out, just check out their website for great value deals.
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