Can something be half-baked and overblown? Yes. Tonight’s matches featuring Andy Roddick and Serena Williams will be preceded by a gala honoring David Robinson, Mia Hamm and Andre Agassi for their philanthropy. Music will be provided by the O’Jays and Rob Thomas (Why? Insert rolling eyes here)
One definition of half-baked is “íll-conceived.” That nicely sums up a ceremony linking celebrity athletes who give back to the opening night of the biggest annual sporting event on earth. What does philanthropy have to do with tennis? I’m all for philanthropic activity and helping others. But this was clearly an ill-advised way to get Andre Agassi back on court for a breathless standing ovation. So why not just honor Andre? His contributions are far, far greater than the other honorees. I take nothing away from them, but Andre is in a class all his own. These other people have zilch to do with tennis. (Personally I’ve never gotten over David Robinson’s comment that all people opposed to the Iraq war “should just leave.” No thank you, I have as much right to be here as he does)
Overblown is defined as “done to excess; overdone.” The US Open should rightly toot its horn for being the most attended annual sporting event in the world. But they can do that by reveling in the sporting spectacle alone, which is set within the biggest and best backdrop imaginable: New York City itself. We don’t need horrifying renditions of the national anthem by Liza Minelli and Aretha Franklin (though I must admit, it makes for great hilarity) to prove the enormity of this event. The last thing the US Open should do is mimic the Super Bowl halftime show by throwing together random celebrities, hazy themes, fighter jets, fireworks and bullshit musical renditions. But they aren’t listening to me. Tonight will surely subject everyone to a pointless, gaudy, uber-patriotic ceremony having nothing to do with tennis. I’ll pass.
Unless you promise me a Wardrobe Malfunction.
Passing Shots 
Posted on August 31, 2009
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