So today I was on my way to play tennis with a friend in Central Park and was prevented from doing so because of police action in my subway stop. I entered the gates and quickly noticed a tension from the community of people standing around the platform. Two uniformed officers were frantically searching the tracks and the platforms for someone; the same procedures were occurring across the platform at the downtown stop.
I spoke with a woman, whom said she saw a man jump the turnstyle and run down onto the tracks at the station. The officers quickly followed in pursuit. As a result, the police decided to not allow passengers to leave the station until they’ve checked everyone in the station (presumably looking for the suspect). Additionally, trains coming and going were not allowed to drop off or let on passengers until given the code green go!
As a result I was thirty minutes late to my work out. Unfortunately my partner had left prematurely. Although our court was given up, I was fortunate enough to meet someone that wasn’t able to use there’s and continued with my work-out unrestricted. Dealing with the control freaks at the central park tennis facilities is like dealing with militant officers unwavering in their own rule of law for managing patrons for the courts.
First NYers have to pay for the privilege to play tennis in the city, by purchasing a park permit for $100 at the beginning of the season. A permit, however, does not guarantee that you’ll play though. Next step in this process (and I assume this is only specific to Central Park), you must either purchase a reserve ticket for $7 a player for the date, time and court, or you must sign up early in the morning the day you want to play, to reserve the space. Reserving the space, you and your partner (all 4 for doubles) must be present 15 minutes before the time of play or you forfeit your court time. There is a no-show wait list and for those people that have not shown up 15 minutes prior or there’s open courts will get the opportunity to grab open space. This is very rare so get there VERY early for any type of wait-n-see options.
Other restrictions for the clay courts, are you have to have white flat shoes, follow all tennis etiquette rules, turn your cellphones and blackberrys off, and where acceptable clothing for the courts – I guess no jockstraps or bikinis allowed…
For the most part this is very efficient, yet very painful way to start a work out or have a fun time on the tennis courts. I personally am not a fan of the clay courts, preferring the hard courts and have been going to a particular spot where there’s less of a hassle and a better environment for a good time… no they don’t have courts at Larry Flint’s Hustler club… but hey?!
Federer summed it up in the end and it certainly was. This was my first major tennis event experience, the US Open. The Open is the last major of the year based out in Flushing Meadows Park, the former dumping ground characterized as “a valley of ashes” in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Unique that a dump is not the site for champagne, khaki pants, polo sweaters tied around the necks of the upper crust, all here to watch two guys control a yellow furry ball on a concrete court. 
