By Andy Rohr
Staff Writer
It's time to head back to Arthur Ashe Court.
The U.S. Open begins on Monday and the changes from a year ago in both the men's and women's draws couldn't be more evident
Last year's women's champion Justin Henin, quit the sport in May and left the women's rankings muddled at the top. 2006 champion Maria Sharapova is also out of the draw with a right shoulder injury.
On the men's side, Roger Federer has had a nightmarish year (for him, anyway) and most are skeptical that he can capture his fifth-straight title at Flushing Meadows. After 160 weeks at the top, Federer relinquished his no. 1 ranking to Rafael Nadal, who has emerged as the new king of tennis and has the opportunity to become the first man since Rod Laver did it in 1969 to capture the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open crowns in the same year.
Dramatic night matches, roaring crowds. There's only one U.S. Open.
Because tennis rarely gets the limelight and because I just don't know when to say when, posts previewing both the men and women will be posted over the next two nights.
For now, enjoy the musings of SI's Jon Wertheim, the best tennis writer out there and check out the brackets at the U.S. Open website.
Finally, someone giving tennis its due. There's nothing better than night-time in New York. Thrilling action is right.