l. THE ROGER RIDDLE: For eons it seemed like Slam wonder Roger Federer played with an astounding ethos: “Just win baby.” Now’s there’s a different drill. He loses, we begin to write him off, he comes back, we’re amazed and so on? What’s next?
2. SPANISH SIZZLE OR FIZZLE?: We love ya, Rafa, but what’s up with the out-of-Europe summer swansong every year? A tennis season is a terrible thing to waste. So will Nadal finally forget the swan song and instead pick up on the New York song lyric: “If you can do it there, you can do it anywhere?”
3. LIFE WITHOUT SERENA: Every year she skips Indian Wells. She has more withdrawals then the French Army. We’re used to tennis without the marvelous Ms. S. But will the Open have the same razzmatazz without the greatest diva in women’s sports? And will big sis Venus surprise us with some shock victories?
4. WOZ UP, DENMARK?: That darling Dane Caroline Wozniacki is streaking coming into the Open. Can the Dane deliver or will Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova or one of her Eastern Euro compatriots hold sway?
5. A TALE OF TWO ANDYS?: Andy Roddick won here as a flash ‘n blast kid, but in the shadow of Federer, hasn’t been able to unleash all his mojo again. He kicked butt this Spring, then struggled. Does America’s fave one Slam wonder have another major within him? Somewhat similarly, can that other Andy — the Scottish Mr. Murray – finally “un-loch” (ouch) the secret to Slam success?
6. A GIANT QUERREY: Other than Rafa — slammin’ Sammy Querrey – 6-foot-6 — has won more tournaments than any guy this year. The other American giant, 6-foot-9 John Isner, astounded the universe with his (70-68 in the fifth) Wimbledon win. Both twentysomethings are in the top twenty and are more or less trending in the right direction. Can they take giant strides in NYC?
7. AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM?: Kids used to rule in Flushing and it’s true that last year teen Melanie Oudin captured our hearts with her big smile, her little “believe” sign on her sneakers and her single-handed destruction of a quartet of imposing Russian wannabes. Can she, or for that matter any other teen, preen and deliver?
8. WAITING FOR THE ‘IT’ MOMENT: The Open is just not the same without either a saucy scandal (think Serena’s meltdown); an “aw shucks” moment of (eat your heart out, Disney) uber-cuteness, like Clijsters’ kid dashing out on court, shock upset or a raucous night match for the ages (remember Agassi vs. Blake?) Stay tuned, but for what?
9. BYE, BYE, BLAKE?: Speaking of Blake, will James, after being honored on opening night, come to terms with his triple digit ranking, his wavering confidence and suspect desire, and silently hang up his Nikes (like Sampras) or bid farewell with an inspired speech (like Agassi) or just soldier on (like Chang?)
10. CELEBS ‘N GOSSIP ‘N CHATTER, OH BOY: The Open’s a gabfest with an abundance of gossip and lots of ‘OMG’ celeb-spoting. Will anything top the pre-Open speculation that Serena got a nose job? And who will top the list of A-listers who regularly descend?
