Soccer Gears

Looking back at what US Open Tennis was before, who would ever think that it will be as what it is now. Just like the story of the richest woman in Hollywood, Oprah Winfrey, this internationally acclaimed tournament also had its own share of humble beginnings. Rags to riches, as others may dub it.

Before it was called the US Open Tennis, simply Open in the US, it was an amateur event known as the US National Championships. At this juncture, it is the wealthiest professional tennis event in the world catering even to aspiring neophytes. It is the fourth and final series of the most- coveted Grand Slam title, which includes Australian Open, Wimbledon and French Open. Held annually in August or September over a period of two weeks, the major competition comprises of five championships. They are: mens and womens singles, mens and womens doubles and mixed doubles with additional match for junior and wheelchair players. Since 1978, US Open Tennis took place at the USTA National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York.

The prize money for the US Open Tennis amounts to a gargantuan $17, 742, 000 million. First placers for the mens and womens singles are guaranteed of a thundering $2, 200, 000. Second placers will get $1, 650, 000 while the third placers will not go home empty- handed for they are assured of $1, 375, 000. Runners- up also have a share of $550, 000, semifinalists with $270, 000 and quarterfinalists with $135, 000.

Leading the roster of winners in the mens singles division of the US Open Tennis is Richard Sears (1881- 1887). He was followed by Henry Slocum, Oliver Campbell, Robert Wrenn, Fred Hovey, Malcom Whitman, William Larned, Hugh Doherty, Holcombe Ward, Beals Wright, Maurice McLoughlin, Richard Williams, William Johnston, Lindley Murray, William Tilden, Rene Lacoste, Henri Cochet and John Doeg, tracing the years from 1888- 1930. In the millennium era, Marat Safin (2000), Lleyton Hewitt (2001), Pete Sampras (2002), Andy Roddick (2003) and the defending holder, from 2004- 2005, is Roger Federer.

As for the womens singles division of the US Open, Ellen Hansell was the frontrunner in 1887 but quickly lost her title to Bertha Townsend (1888- 1889). They were then followed by Ellen Roosevelt, Mabel Cahill, Aline Terry, Helen Hellwig, Juliette Atkinson, Elisabeth Moore, Marion Jones, May Sutton, Helen Homans, Evelyn Sears, Maud Barger- Wallach, Hazel Hotchkiss, Mary Browne, Molla Bjurstedt, Molla Mallory, Helen Wills and Betty Nuthall, going back to 1890- 1930. In the dawning of 2000, Venus Williams emerged as the victor up to 2001. She then lost it to her sister, Serena Williams, in 2002. In 2003, it was with Justine Henin- Hardene, Svetlana Kuznetsova (2004) and Kim Clijsters (2005).

Now that the US Open Tennis is fast approaching, the world is once again eager to see who will take the crown from reigning carriers.