The first week

As the US Open enters the fourth round of play over the Labor Day weekend, Maria reflects on the first week of play.

“Unfortunately there have been a record number of withdrawals – around 14 so far – for a variety of reasons but primarily because of the heat and humidity,” Maria said.

“I tend to agree with Roger [Federer] who said yesterday [Friday] that so many retirements mid-match, because of the heat, is unacceptable since players have had several weeks to acclimatise to the conditions in North America and should be in better shape to cope.

“I understand that playing matches adds to physical stress but with all the help players get these days with their training and preparation, they really should be ready to play for a few hours in hot and humid conditions.

“I only ‘retired’ once and that was in Australia when they had to carry me off the court with body cramps,” she recalls. “We didn’t have the benefit of knowing the importance of hydrating well before the match but nowadays they do so there is really no excuse if it is because of lack of conditioning.

“The men play five set matches only at the Grand Slams, which is four times a year, and while these can be dramatic at times, I do think it is time for everyone to play best of three sets for all matches across the board.

“I realise the traditionalists will be horrified at this, but it is better for the players, spectators and television because some five-setters are, frankly, quite boring and take way too long. It would help to increase interest in the game.

“The powers that be really need to be talking about unifying the sport to make it easier for viewers to understand.

“To me that means having the same injury procedures, times between points, heat breaks and coaching rules for men and women at the Grand Slams and on the ATP and WTA Tours.”

As for the tennis, Maria particularly has noticed newcomer Belinda Bencic.

“I have been watching [Belinda] Bencic for the past weeks and been impressed with her,” she said.

“She has an all round game, a good physique and the right approach to matches which, at the age of 18, is quite impressive.

“In Toronto she beat Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, Simona Halep and Serena to win the title and looked very good.

“But I have to say I was disappointed to see her at the Open throwing her racket and dragging herself around the court.

“Although she survived that match and did pretty well to get to the third round, she lost to Venus [Williams] in straight quite easy sets and I feel she really needs to focus better to start getting consistent results.

”She also pulled out of Cincinnati because she was tired and that to me is a very bad signal.

“Players these days seem to work so hard off the court that they have nothing left for the matches and that cannot be good. To me, it has to be about the performance on the court, not what is happening off it.”

With the demise of Rafael Nadal on Friday night, Maria was equally disappointed.

“I thought Rafa was really finding his game again and when he went two sets up against [Fabio] Fognini felt sure he would win, but he lost the next three sets and is out. It is the first year since goodness knows when that he has not won a Grand Slam.

I think he’ll come back though as he was playing much better.”

The new roof structure on Arthur Ashe Stadium gets the ‘thumbs up’ in Maria’s opinion.

“The roof isn’t ready yet and won’t be until next year but so far it hasn’t rained so we are okay,” she says.

“The structure is there, though, and it has totally changed the feel of Ashe [stadium]. Somehow it has made it feel more like a tennis stadium!

“It always felt so enormous to me but with the roof, it seems smaller, and the new lights are fantastic! I like the light show they do now between night matches too.”

Roger Federer continues his amazing run and Maria is full of admiration.

“Roger is playing so well, and has totally changed his game. He attacks more, and people are talking about his ‘SABR’ [Sneaky Attack by Roger] but I was doing that years ago… standing in on the return to take the ball early and get to the net!” ” Maria laughs. “I love to see him do it because it has his opponents on the back foot!

“Seriously, he is probably playing at his peak right now, serving unbelievably well, and [has] yet to drop a set.”

The men’s draw is shaping up much as one would expect with most of the major seeds other than Kei Nishikori, David Ferrer, Nadal and Milos Raonic, lining up for the second week.

The women’s draw, however, is decimated of seeds as Serena Williams continues her quest for a calendar Grand Slam.

“Serena had a very narrow escape yesterday [Friday] when Bethanie Mattek-Sands attacked the net time and time again to take the initiative away to win the first set,” said Maria. “I think it is the eighth she has lost at the majors this year.

“But, again, she fought hard and just managed to win the second set and then she found another gear to win through.

“It was a really difficult match for her, playing another American, but she seems to be coping with the expectation pretty well and now that her half of the draw has opened up, should make her way through.

“In the other half of the draw there is [Petra] Kvitova, [Victoria] Azarenka and [Simona] Halep, all of whom can challenge her but I doubt with so much at stake and on such a big stage that Serena will be on the losing side next Saturday.

“She is certainly the popular choice for the title and the Grand Slam here in New York. It is all that people are talking about!”

Off court, Maria has been to Town Tennis Club, enjoying a barbecue on Wednesday night and gently play-testing her new Wilson racket with the pros there.

“I really like Town Tennis and have been going there now for many years. It is my home from home here in New York!”