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September Newsletter:Newport & U.S. Open

NEWPORT & U.S. OPEN:

Sorry for the delay in getting my newsletter out. The last 3 weeks I was traveling are filled with some fun moments at both the Hall of Fame and the Open. I don’t think I’d seen so many hall of famers in Newport ever….Billie Jean King, Sabatini, Tracy Austin, Martina Navratilova, Roddick, Hewitt and a bunch more! It was so much fun to see everyone in their jackets looking smart!! The new inducctees Roger Federer and Mary Carillo with their family and friends…..you couldn’t get much bigger or better than that.

Tennis Royalty Billie Jean King did the honors and Presented Mary Carillo and Mary in turn gave a wonderful and memorable speech about why she loved tennis and journalism. The big surprise and much awaited moment was… who was “Presenting” the 20 time Major Champion & World # 1 for 310 weeks, Roger? Rumor had it that It’d be Rafa Nadal. Well were we surprised when Mirka his wife rose from her seat next to him and walked across the stage to say “who else can know Roger the way I do” and she did! It was beautifully done. When Roger took the podium we took bets on whether he would cry…really was no contest. We’ve all seen Roger cry when something was meaningful to him. I can tell you this was meaningful to him. I know first hand what it means to be inducted not only once but twice!!

The evening couldn’t have been more perfect. The weather was pleasant, the atmosphere spectacular and the moment unforgettable.

U.S. OPEN & THE KING & KLOSS PENTHOUSE SUITE:

And that was the US Open too! The Penthouse Suite had been reserved at the King & Kloss B&B. My comfortable couch with the big screen tv was waiting for me with ESPN Plus non- stop matches for the length of the tournament. Crazy happenings with Sinner pulling out with a bad knee and Alcaraz (long hair and all) playing. I thought he would not and Sinner would….suprise!

The big surprise and probably the best match of the tournament not only for tennis shots and excitement but for entertaining the New York crowd that loves late night 5 set matches. I didn’t watch it on site but I did watch it on my big screen from my couch until the last point was hit at 3:00am. I don’t think anybody knew, including the players who was going to win. It was a roller coaster ride at high velocity with a lot of twists and turns. Certainly this win should tell Shelton and his team that Big Ben is ready to win a big one if he keeps his wits about him and focuses on playing consistant and smart tennis…..he could be the next Champion and World # 1. And as long as he doesn’t squander his serve, as it is one of the best in the game if he learns how to use it, it would be unreturnable.

AMERICAN WOMEN:

The U.S. Women also came in strong with Pegula in the semis lagging a bit and looking as if she needed a push to the finish line. The big girls, Sabalenka and Rybakina were the power houses that demonstrated 120mph serves and groundstrokes. Rybakina really kept her composure throughout the tournament coming in injured and taking away the big prize from Sabalenka who was looking for a threepeat.

There were improvements on the grounds that’s shaping the Open’s new looks. Heard there will be a new Player Lounge and upgrades everywhere next year. There were upgrades with the suites and they were larger and very nice but were a little higher than before. The bathrooms were taken out of the suites and that wasn’t a plus, although they were near by. We enjoyed BJK’s favorite lunch..hot dogs but there was enough of other things to fill your plate and the service was as good as Big Ben’s. Everybody complained about the cost of food and drinks on the grounds but it was filled to the brim of people wanting to enjoy all that the U.S. Open brings to New York…ENERGY!

Always fun to be at the King & Kloss PH and enjoy all the perks that come along with it…Official Cars, suites, food, beverage, food deliveries morning, noon and night and to enjoy the company of those that work for them who have become part of the family and the U.S. Open spirit. Until next year I await to see the changes and will make my reservations for 2027 U.S. Open and the KING & KLOSS PH Suite!

ANNALEE THURSTON AWARD & DINNER MARCH 6, 2027:

There’s a change in the air and it’s Ken Solomon past President & CEO of The TENNIS CHANNEL. He is our 2027 Annalee Thurston Award recipient. He has known tennis from his childhood years when he was a ball boy during the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, now the BNP. Ken is a tennis junky who took tennis to the next level with THE TENNIS CHANNEL, in promoting it’s programming to include the world and just about every tournament, team event, Hall of Fame Ceremonies and special events held. You can attribute it to Ken and his love for the sport and the team he put together behind and in front of the cameras. He has definitely contributed to the growth of tennis and excelled in the field of broadcasting.

Ken Solomon is our first male recipient of The Annalee Thurston Award and I am excited that he will be joining us Saturday, March 6, at Palm Valley C.C. next year. Congratulations Ken!

WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS AT INDIAN WELLS TENNIS GARDENS, NOVEMBER 8-15, 2026

The WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS are coming to the desert at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens November 8-15, 2026. These are the top 8 players and doubles teams in the world who will compete in a Round-Robin format for top prize money of $15,500,000.

Please join us during the WTA Finals in Indian Wells for a special morning honoring Mary Carillo as the recipient of the WTA Foundation Champions for Change Award.

Mary’s impact on tennis has extended far beyond the court, and we look forward to celebrating her remarkable career and contribution to the sport with friends and supporters of the WTA Foundation.

Sunday, November 8, 2026
10:00–11:30 a.m.
Eldorado Country Club | Indian Wells, California

Food and refreshments will be served.

Tables are available for $2,500 and individual tickets for $250, with proceeds supporting the WTA Foundation’s work to empower girls and women and strengthen communities worldwide.

Please find the invitation attached. Additional event details and ticket information are available here:

https://wtafoundation.wtatennis.com/championsforchange

We hope you can join us for this special celebration.

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2026:

Desert Mirage High School will host The Love & Love Tennis Fiesta Saturday, October 3, 2026. We have about 80-100 middle school kids coming from the CVSD and they will be treated to a 90 minute tennis clinic followed by lunch at Toro Middle School Entertainment Center featuring the Folklorica Dancers and a Pinata Bust to complete the morning festivities.

There will be prizes and t-shirts for everyone. Please make sure you register at Toro Middle School Entertainment Center by 8:30am if you are not part of the CVSD bussed kids.

This is sponsored by The Love & Love Tennis Foundation, CVSD and Barbara & Gary Tolman.

Tennis Clinic: 9:30am-11:00am followed by lunch.

Folklorica Dancers 11:45am -12:45

Pinata Bust 12:45pm-1:00pm

FRITZ BURNS PARK KIDS TENNIS CLINIC 9-10:15am every Saturday thru November:

We have gotten a nice group of about 30 kids coming out to participate in our beginners clinics. Anybody welcome parents too! Make sure kids bring hats, caps and wear sports shoes. We have water and snacks for everyone. Tennis equipment provided!