2013 U.S. Open - Day 1

U.S. Open 2013 - Day 1

Nothing beats the experience of a Grand Slam tennis tournament and there is no place like New York City. This was my 17th consecutive year of attending the Open. Much has changed over the years such as bigger crowds and continuous improvements to the grounds, but the one thing the never changes is the quality of tennis on display and the buzz that fills the city when this event is happening. Great people, great players, great atmosphere. Wow!

View from our Midtown NY City hotel room of the Empire State Building, just a few blocks away.

Practice courts are a great place to see the players up close. A favorite is Court 5. Here is Fernando Verdasco of Spain getting ready before a match later.

Feliciano Lopez of Spain out on a back court in the first round.

Bernard Tomic of Australia in his first round match on Grandstand Court.

Ivan Dodig of Croatia with a forehand return against Fernando Verdasco on Grandstand.

Fernando Verdasco in action.

It's great when you can get seats close to the court in Grandstand.

When the Empire State Building is lit up in red, white and blue, you know it's time for the U.S. Open. Great view just before going to bed after spending the entire day watching tennis.

2013 Winston-Salem Open - Day 2

Winston-Salem Open at Wake Forest University - Day 2

The Winston-Salem Open is the final men's stop on the U.S. Open Series Tour, leading up to the U.S. Open. This was the third year I have attended this tournament. I have been to a number of stops on the tour over the years and this really is my favorite spot. The setting is great and the staff is wonderful and they have had really great draws over the last three years. Winston-Salem is very enthusiastic about tennis and the locals go all out to make it a great experience for all that visit.

Juan Monaco of Argentina in action on the second day of the WSO. Nothing like seats right on the court with the players.

Nicholas Mahut of France in action vs. Juan Monaco.

Monaco with a big forehand.

Fernando Verdasco of Spain in action on Center Court.

Jurgen Melzer hits a backhand on Court 3.

Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine prepares his forehand return.

View from Center Court on the campus of Wake Forest University with the football stadium in the background.

2013 Winston-Salem Open - Day 3

Winston-Salem Open - Day 3

Good seats at Center Court for the match between Sam Querrey of the U.S. and Jarkko Nieminen of Finland.

Sam Querrey in action.

Benoit Paire of France in action on Court 2.

Nice backhand get by Jurgen Melzer of Austria.

Fernando Verdasco of Spain lines up his forehand on Center Court.

Juan Monaco requires new footwear after his sneaker tears during a rally.

Alexandr Dolgopolov hustles to the net for a return.

2013 BB&T Atlanta Open - Day 4

BB&T Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station - Day 4

Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in action on July 25.

James Blake in action.

Flags fly around center court.

Former Georgia Bulldog, John Isner, serves another big one.

Isner drills his forehand.

Jimmy Arias in the house.

Christian Harrison, Ryan's brother, gives Isner all he can handle on this night, but falls short.

2013 BB&T Atlanta Open - Day 3

BB&T Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station - Day 3

Lleyton Hewitt in action on July 24.

James Blake drills his backhand.

A beautiful sky in Atlanta.

Mardy Fish falls to Michael Russell in the continuation of his match from a day earlier.

Jack Sock of the U.S. drills a backhand return while playing doubles with James Blake.

James Blake with the backhand return.

The moon over the match.

2013 BB&T Atlanta Open - Day 2

BB&T Atlanta Open at Atlantic Station - Day 2

Kevin King, a recent Georgia Tech graduate, qualifies for the main draw of the BB&T Atlanta Open. He falls in his competitive first round match in straight sets on July 23.

Lleyton Hewitt grinding it out in his first round match.

Mardy Fish battles Michael Russell in a match that will get delayed by rain and pushed to the next day.