Delics Diary: Post-US Open House of Blues

However, somewhere in the middle of the summer heat, after not having such a strong start to the US Open Series, I somehow lost my confidence, and along with that, my goals too. Before I knew it, it was already Aug. 20. Exactly one week before the US Open. Since I didn't play too many matches during the summer, I decided to play the Pilot Pen Open at New Haven, CT, in order to get some matches and hopefully some confidence too.

However, things only got worse. Half the world heard about Donald Young's first career ATP win. Then half the world also heard about my loss to Donald Young to give him his first ATP win. First of all, Donald has become a much better player in the last few months and it showed at the US Open, so that did make me feel little bit better. Still though, I didn't want to be the first guy losing to him and that was one of the reasons why I lost. So much for that pre-US Open confidence booster...on to NYC we go!

Wednesday before the US Open I arrived to NYC and settled into my hotel room. Draws before the Grand Slams usually come out on Friday before the main draw starts. However, when accidentally scrolling through the US Open web page, Scott (Humphries, my new coach) stumbled upon the draw and saw that my first round opponent is Lleyton Hewitt. Initially I thought he was joking. Deep down inside I wanted to believe that it was a joke. I was seriously hoping to play someone else on a much smaller court just to get things going in the right direction. Get some confidence going before playing Lleyton on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Not this US Open.

Coming from a horrendous summer performance this meant two things: it can either be a good ending to a summer if I beat him, or it can be just a nightmare match...6-2, 6-4, 6-2 later my 2007 US Open singles performance was over and done with. Three sets didn't combine for a total of two hours. Stats were all over the place like the rest of my game...not pretty to say the least. However, somehow in that whole mess of a match there was one borderline-highlight great point that even made the USA Network's Top 10 Best Points of the tournament and believe it or not I even won the point! I guess it was not all that bad.

My parents and my aunt and uncle from Croatia decided to come up and stay for the tournament which was great since none of the family really gets to see me play in person. I wish I could have done better, just because they were there, however, it just wasn't meant to be. I tried to make up for it with my doubles performance along with Justin Gimelstob, however after two very good matches we succumbed to the No. 2 seeds, Knowles and Nestor.

Last year after the US Open I played a Challenger event in New Orleans, LA, and I made the finals losing to Cecil Mamit. That tournament kick-started my very successful Fall of 2006. So, where would you find me in the same week of 2007? Yup, about two blocks from the world famous Bourbon Street and New Orleans French Quarter trying to regain some confidence before I make my way to Asia for two ATP tournaments.

Last year during the tournament I accidentally stumbled upon a great sushi restaurant two doors down from The New Orleans House Of Blues. I am a huge fan of food in general and always interested in trying out new things, however Cajun food can be little bit dicey during a tournament so I stick with my regular orders at the sushi joint. On that same note, I am still searching for a good sushi place in Jacksonville. Any suggestions? Let me know by early November...

Until then I am off to Bangkok, Tokyo, Stockholm, Madrid, Basel and finally Paris. By the time I come back I am hoping the Jaguars are 10-1 and that the home games are not blacked out!

Cheers,

Amer Delic

Amer Delic blogs monthly for JAX Tennis Magazine. This blog appeared in the October issue of JAX Tennis Magazine, Northeast Florida's Tennis Source, www.jaxtennismagazine.com.
Contact: publisher@jaxtennismagazine.com