us open 2012 : gearing up

practice with the pros, and a few shots from kid's day...

a taste of tennis, 2009

my friend, kevin, called me this afternoon to see if i could help him out at the taste of tennis event at the w hotel--he had to try to get "red carpet interviews" with some of the players and chefs, and he needed someone to help to identify them (especially the "international" tennis players).

i knew there existed a universe where all of my dining out and tennis-watching and blog-reading would be of use.

i really enjoyed the event last year (mob scene that it was), but hadn't planned to go this time 'round. i had an idea this little gig would be fun--and a decent opportunity to re-test my g-10.

here's who we saw and spoke with (I think the interviews will go live in a week)...

andy roddick.

andy was kind enough to stop and chat with brandeis...

nicholas kiefer wasn't up for a tv interview...

neither was gonzo.

pretty ms. sabine lisicki.

sabine stopped for our team, too.

david ferrer made his way quickly down the press line, hardly stopping to smile.

brad farmerie, fresh off his iron chef victory over cat cora (that little tidbit, courtesy of my mom, came in very handy for the interview)...

is as handsome...

and charming as i remember him...

also returning this year...alfred portale...

vera zvonareva--our "first interview" of the evening--looking lovely...

and sweet.