A thought arises on the fly on the center court of the United States Open, the fourth Grand Slam on the tennis calendar (in order of dates), without a doubt the loudest of all those held and it is no metaphor.
To establish comparisons, specialists must be used, with many hours of experience chipping away at the atlas of this sport.
A special envoy, arrived from Madrid, has one of those smart watches that measures the decibel level. He maintains that the figure is brutal, unimaginable in the Australian tournament (Melbourne) and even less so in the aristocratic Roland Garros (Paris) and Wimblendon (London). Another colleague compares the atmosphere to that of a piano bar. Those who are close to the artist follow his music, while those around him maintain conversations, even with shouts and laughter. From time to time they deign to applaud. Some referees have thrown in the towel of silence, except for the express complaint of a player, increasingly submissive to the organization.
Sitting in a corner of the Arthur Ashe court, an idea emerges that would spell the ruin of this commercial event in excess and secular expression of the purest style of the capitalist creed. If a breathalyzer test were carried out on the public, many seats in this immense pavilion would look empty.
The other day, for example, the night of the semi-final between the hammer Daniil Medvedev and the exuberant and masterful Carlos Alcaraz, the best show on the circuit even if he lost, the partner and close friend (she, pregnant, did not drink anything) The next row got three vodka cocktails in less than two sets. The thing has merit since they were not leaning against the bar, where she raises her hand and the waiter understands that he has to serve another round. No, you have to make the effort to go out and pay $22 per drink (plus tip).
By the way, tennis is also played here. As much has already been said about the finalists Novak Djokovic and Medvedev, there is Coco Gauff, queen at 19 years old and American jingoistic exaltation in the stands. "I honestly thank those who have not believed in me," she said in victory, a phrase that echoes Summary of news, a song by Silvio Rodríguez. She beat Aryna Sabalenka, a very rare player, who has the enormous merit of being number one in the world as of this Monday and that in each game she faces two rivals: the one in front and herself.
Tennis desecrators can rest assured. There will be no alcohol control. Business is business.
