By now, you’ve all heard of Andy Roddick‘s outburst after a line judge said he foot-faulted on the wrong leg. The crowd booed, and Roddick ended up losing the match. But don’t let that public meltdown turn you away from one of tennis’ biggest tournaments. There are still fine moments to be had at the US Open, and here are our top five:
1. Novak Djokovic compares the satisfaction of finally getting some shade (in the midst of 90-degree heat) to “sleeping with my girlfriend.”
It’s nice when your man gives you props in the bedroom, and on national television, well, it ain’t half bad there, either. Jelena Ristic couldn’t help but laugh at her Serbian lover’s comments. It’s clear they love each other both on and off the court.
2. Gisela Dulko rushes to her opponent’s aide.
When 21-year-old Victoria Azarenka collapsed on the court Wednesday, her Argentinean competitor Dulko was one of the first people to her side.
I was scared,” Dulko told the Associated Press. “She went to the floor. I was worried for her. I went to see her, brought some ice, did whatever I could do to help.”
Azarenka had suffered a mild concussion earlier that day, so officials don’t blame her collapse entirely on the high temperatures.
3. Maria Sharapova plays a good sport against newcomer Beatrice Capra.
The American newbie had a lot going against her this week: an experienced opponent in Sharapova and the blustery remnants of Hurricane Earl. Capra was quickly ousted by the Russian phenom, but there were no hard feelings.
“Before the match, she would just walk past me and kind of, like, give me a glare, which is kind of intimidating,” Capra said. “After the match when we shook hands, she was really nice. She said, ‘Great tournament. Keep up the hard work.’ I think she’s a really nice person.”
4. Kim Clijsters cares for kids.
Often you see children’s nonprofits asking for money, but it’s not as often that they release a press release wishing good luck to one of their athlete supporters. Thursday, SOS Children’s Villages sent their well wishes to Belgian player Clijsters.
“Children are our future. They should grow up in a family where they can become strong,” Clijsters said. “Too many children do not have this chance. What SOS does for children is very impressive. Together with SOS Children’s Villages, I would like to stand up for this basic right for every child: the right to a family.”
Clijsters is still winning, and we suspect those kids have something to do with it.
5. Andy Murray reunites with an old friend from Venezuela.
Out is Miles Maclagan. In is Dani Vallverdu. A month after Murray fired his former coach, he’s tapped his teenage friend to guide him through the US Open. Vallverdu met Murray at the Barcelona tennis academy where Murray’s mother sent him to broaden his education.