Opening night at the US Open was worth me rushing home from work. I live on the West Coast so, the night matches start at 4pm and I don’t get off work until 5pm. Therefore, I left work early, popped on the TV, and I can truly say, I’m proud to be an African American woman.

The tribute given to the women on Opening Night was magnificent. The one thing that stands out in my mind was the line of prestigious women standing and wishing Venus Williams well before her match. When Venus was asked how she felt about it, she said she wished she had more time to talk to the ladies. I must say it was overwhelming. I loved seeing Venus and Serena Williams mother Ocean Price, who’s usually very laid back and calm dancing as Aretha Franklin sang R E S P E C T. That was a classic.

I love the US Open, what it stands for and its willingness to embrace all cultures. It’s so fitting that it is held in Flushing Meadows, New York, and a state where diversity really is the HEART of the game.

'It’s so fitting that it is held in Flushing Meadows, New York, and a state where diversity really is the HEART of the game'


The tribute to Althea Gibson was so heart felt. It was so humbling. I can’t imagine tennis without Zina Garrison, Venus and Serena Williams, James Blake, Donald Young, Scoville Jenkins, Shanay Perry, Chanda Rubin, Jamea Jackson and even Gael Monfils, but had it not been for Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, I don’t know what state of matter the USTA would be in. Be that as it may, Serena and Venus held court on Night One.

Venus came out in her new designer label EleVen. She looked elegant in her one piece green dress with a white polo collar, dropped waist and pleated skirt and shoes to match. But in the first set she slipped and I got a little nervous hoping the new designer shoes were not the problem. Venus played like the queen she is. She was sharp, focused and seemed to be feeling great. After the match Venus was dancing and full of energy. If all goes according to MY plan she will be this year's champion.

Now let’s get to Serena. I must admit, I was worried about her. In her pre-game interview she didn’t seem excited. She didn’t seem focused. She was almost subdued and that frightened me. However, she looked great in her black tennis dress with pink trimming. She was classy and very elegant. I just will never understand the huge earrings. I would think they would be a distraction. However, It wasn’t the earrings that seemed to be a distraction, but rather a bow on Serena’s dress, which she ripped off during the match.

Once on court, I never really doubted that Serena would loose the match but, I was concerned about her lack of movement. She wasn’t as sharp as Venus and nor did she have that “Serena game face” on. Serena didn’t have an easy victory, and it wasn’t an ugly victory. In the end she won, and I guess that is all that matters. I hope in her next match she picks up some energy because the matches are only going to get tougher. She will need to up her energy level, and move her feet. Otherwise she will find herself out very quickly.

After the match when she was asked about having not played any matches since Wimbledon she seemed as though it was no big deal and feels she’s played enough tennis to do what it takes to win. And she did prove that at this year’s Australian Open. But, when all is said and done, it was Ladies Night and the U.S. Open, African American Ladies Night and Serena and Venus held court. And oh, what a court it was! How proud I am to say, “I’m an African America Woman."