As I leave New York for St Louis, the men's final of the US Open tennis championship is due to begin at Flushing Meadow.
While much of people's attention yesterday was focussed on the anniversary of 9/11, the most successful player in the history of modern tennis, Switzerland's Roger Federer, was beaten in the semi-final. His victor was Novak Djokovic who left his family behind in war torn Serbia at the age of 12 to become a champion.
Djokovic is playing the Spaniard, Rafael Nadal for the title. It takes place in the Arthur Ashe stadium, named after a wonderful black former tennis star who tragically died from AIDS as a consequence of a blood tranfusion. This was before AIDS had been identified, now many years ago.
But we sit on the tarmac at La Guardia airport waiting in a long queue -- the captain having just informed us there being no less that 14 planes ahead of us -- it is pouring with rain. So I fear that Messrs D and N will be anxiously sitting in their dressing rooms hoping the grey sky will clear.
Instead of getting wet in New York, I opted for this earlier flight to St Louis. I have two important meeting there tomorrow, so this will enable me to have dinner and get to bed early. As is so often the case, your grandfather has left things to the last minute. So I plan to get up early tomorrow to prepare for the meetings.
Grandpa Jonathan
La Guardia Airport, New York
