Maria’s first week at the US Open

Maria Bueno’s first week at the US Open seems to have flown by.

After visiting Wilson’s player distribution hub in Manhattan, she was asked by Chris Jackman, Tour Manager Americas, Racquet Sports at Wilson, to make a special appearance at the store on site to sign some product, which she was happy to do.

While there, she took time to congratulate Wilson staff on the company’s 100th anniversary
and made herself available for pictures.

“It was fun meeting the staff at the store,” she said. “I signed some big balls, a racket and a Wilson commemorative bag, which I am sure they will use well for a worthy cause or two.”

She also set up a meeting with Pat Cairns, the representative of Oakley sunglasses.

“As everyone knows, I have trouble with my eyes and I need to use sunglasses all the time,” Maria explained.

“I am always looking for good glasses to help protect my eyes and I heard that these Oakley glasses have the latest technology so I am happy to try them out, especially if they can help my eyes.

“I have spent years in the sun, which causes some damage to the eyes, as well as the other issues I have,” continued Maria.

“Players theses days look after their skin by using sunblock and creams but very few wear sunglasses when they play and they really should to to protect their eyes.”

Maria also paid a visit to Niketown to collect some Nike kit for the coming months.

“It’s such a funky place,” she said. “Check out the limo that was outside! It wasn’t ours though… We used a regular yellow cab!”

Like everyone visiting New York, Maria has been enjoying some lavish dinners with visitors over from Brazil for the tennis and local friends.

“Way too much food, but very delicious!” she admitted. “I am always amazed at the portions in this country, especially at the various steakhouses around town we’ve been to!”

Out at the site each day, Maria has been checking out the concession stands and activities, including the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s fashion and equipment exhibit.

“I was hoping to see one of my dresses there but there weren’t any!”

Maria’s commitments for TV Globo have also kept her busy producing short reports as featurettes used by Rio to supplement their ball-by-ball commentary.

“We’ve covered all sorts of topics, ranging from technology to why the women don’t serve as well as the men,” laughed Maria. “You can have a lot of fun with those sorts of stories.

“I like to give our audience an insight into what is happening behind the scenes with our sport, rather than commenting on the obvious that viewers can see for themselves by watching the TV.”

Maria starts her match commentary on Sunday, which will run through the finals on Monday 8 September.

“That’s when we start getting into the serious end of the US Open, as the best players come through and the matches get progressively tougher.

“We’ve already seen some spectacular upsets, particularly in the women’s draw, but on the men’s side [Novak] Djokovic and Roger [Federer] are looking very strong to me.

“Roger is looking very relaxed and I really enjoyed catching up him yesterday ahead of his night match!

“I must say, we are all missing Rafa [Nadal], who is injured and the defending champion but he probably made the right decision not to play here.”

Does she have any predictions for the titles?

“You know I don’t like to make these but I would love to see Roger win his 18th Grand Slam,” she admitted. “He is such a great player!”

Serena Williams is also chasing her 18th Grand Slam title in New York.

“With [Simona] Halep, [Agneistka] Radwanska and now Petra Kvitova already out of the draw, Serena has to be in the running for that, doesn’t she?”

Maria has been hitting at Town Tennis Club, where she is an honorary member.

“It’s my home from home’” she said. ‘I really enjoy playing and relaxing there.

“We had a lovely barbecue outdoors there on Wednesday which was really nice!

“More food!”