US Open defending champions Andy Murray and Serena Williams make appearance at US Open draw and participate in children’s tennis clinic at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Thursday.
Four days ahead of the final tennis grand slam of the season, the United States Tennis Association held a draw at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to finalise the brackets and determine who the top 32 seeds will face in the first round of the US Open.
Making an appearance at the draw were defending champions Serena Williams and Andy Murray.
Both then participated in a youth tennis clinic with kids from PS 207Q – The Rockwood Park School in Howard Beach, Queens and community-based provider The Action Center in Far Rockaway, Queens, children affected by last year’s Hurricane Sandy.
Coming off an Olympic gold medal, won at Wimbledon in 2012, 26-year-old Scot Andy Murray captured his first grand slam title with his victory at Flushing Meadows last year.
The victory ended a 76-year drought of male British grand slam champions (Fred Perry, 1936 U.S. National Championships).
He then became the first British man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry did back in 1936.
In their opening round matches, Williams, the top seed, will face 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, while Murray, seeded three, will square off with frenchman Michael Llodra.
On playing his first Grand Slam as a defending champion
“It’s the first time, so it’s a new experience. At my age and the amount of years I’ve been on tour, it’s not often you get new experiences. So I don’t know exactly how I’ll deal with the pressure and how I’ll feel on Monday. I’m expecting to be nervous. But this week has been a bit different. There have been a few more demands on your time away from the court, so you have to make sure you’re scheduling your practices well and don’t use up too much of your energy off the court. I’ve done a good job of that so far but it’s not easy.”
Andy Murray, Defending US Open Men’s Singles Champion
On returning to New York
“Last year after the final I was so relieved to have finally won a Grand Slam that maybe I didn’t take it in as much or enjoyed it as much as I would have liked to. But coming back and going back to center court and thinking back to last year was really nice for me and I’m really looking forward to getting going now.”Andy Murray, Defending US Open Men’s Singles Champion
On her form heading into US Open
“It’s important for me when I come to here to feel really good and I’m definitely feeling better than I have in the past. But I also always want to just improve and have fun. That’s what I want to do this year is enjoy myself…I tend to be my best when I enjoy myself and have fun”
Reporter: “There’s no sign you’re slowing down Serena”
“I’m not slowing down. I feel so good. Honestly, I just feel like a young kid and I’m still so healthy. I do have ups and downs. I do have little pain here and there, but I just feel really good and I feel really fortunate.”
Serena Williams, , Defending US Open Women’s Singles Champion
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