Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

Last Saturday, the Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day kicked off the festivities, with day-long events meant for younger fans of the sport. Among the many Filipinos who trooped to Flushing this day were Ledy Almadin and her family.

"It is a very nice event and my children enjoyed it very much. This is a very good way to end our summer as school’s about to open again soon," Almadin shared. This is the fifth year that her family has joined the annual Kids’ Day.

Almadin’s family is a big fan of the sport and she is happy that her children are also beginning to like it. During the Kids’ Day celebration, their family met up with their friends and families, making it all the more memorable.

"It’s a day where families hang out with other families. The kids had so much fun running around and chasing players for their autographs," Almadin added.

As a tennis fan, Almadin is hoping to see her idol Rafael Nadal win the US Open this year.

"It’s his time," she said, " the US Open championship is the only Grand Slam event he hasn’t won so far."

Another fan, Teresa Pine, begs to differ.

"I hope Roger Federer wins, and create history again by becoming the first man to win six or more titles at two different Grand Slam events," Pine said. Federer is also hoping to win his 17th Grand Slams title, and avenge his loss to Juan Martin del Potro who beat him in the championships last year.

Pine is an ambassador at the US Open, one of about 18, and the only Filipino. For two weeks, Pine gives up her day job as a docent at the Princeton University Museum of Art to be at the US Open.

"It’s something that I have done for about five years now, and I am enjoying it immensely. I get to meet a lot of people from all walks of life, different nationalities, but with the same passion for the sport of tennis," Pine shared.

She is happy to see more and more Filipinos embracing the sport. It wasn’t an uncommon sight during the past few days to see a group of Filipinos enjoying the matches or just watching their favorite players practice in their games.

"It is a Filipino thing, I guess," Almadin shared when asked why Filipinos love tennis. "To be honest, I can’t pinpoint it. There is something in the game. If you visit us in Jersey City , we can bring you to the tennis courts where Filipinos always play."

Pine believes that it is about the sophistication of the sport that draws the Filipinos in.

"I honestly don’t know any Filipino who doesn’t love tennis, either as a player or just as a mere spectator. The sport is awesome," she added.

Last year’s US Open drew Murray

more than 720,000 fans from around the world, maintaining its position as the highest attended annual sporting event in the world. More than 80 million viewers watched the 2009 US Open on CBS Sports and ESPN, and international broadcasts reached 180 countries.