"At the U.S. Open, only the fittest survive . . . From the concussive hard courts to the raucous crowds to the late night matches - and so much more - nothing stretches mind and body to the brink like the year's final major."
--Douglas Robson, The Toughest Test in Tennis, U.S. Open, Special Edition for USA Today, September 2012
"It's the high-maintenance Slam . . . The Open has the most stimulus, the most distraction, the most chaos."
--Justin Gimelstob, Tennis Channel analyst and former professional player
"It's always the moment you feel really tired."
--Agnieszka Radwanska, World No. 2 professional player, referring to the grueling tennis season's run-up to the U.S. Open
"I think the backed-up weekend [referring to the consecutive days on which the semi-finals and finals are played] makes it incredibly hard, which is something the players have tried to change, because with the matches being as physical as they are now, you can't physically play your best tennis if you play 2 five-hour matches back-to-back."
--Andy Murray, 2008 Finalist and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist
"The fifth-set tiebreak is one of the unique aspects of the U.S. Open . . . The tiebreak brings its own adrenaline, kind of a very exciting moment . . . That's the way we do it here at the U.S. Open."
--Chris Widmaier, USTA Director of Communications for the U.S. Open
"They all want a piece of you."
Mike Bryan of the record-breaking Bryan Brothers doubles team, referring to commercial sponsors, fashion show organizers, news media outlets, and charity & celebrity causes
"New York is loud. It's in your face. It's not only just a tennis event, it's an event in itself."
--Andy Roddick, 2003 Champion
"New York is now one of my favorite cities. I love its energy, the people, the life there. I love how rowdy the fans get. They root and cheer and are probably drunk half the time."
--Maria Sharapova, 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist
"It's definitely in people heads that it's the last Slam of the year . . . If you can make it through New York, you can make it anywhere."
--Bethanie Mattek-Sands, USA professional player
Video: The 2012 U.S. Open: It Must be Love
By: tennis
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