The walk up seemed different this year at the Dallas Open. Melancholy and nostalgic, familiar and quaint. This neighborhood is getting back to normal soon, thanks for the hospitality. Gone to Frisco, but not yet. Tennys Sandgren was warming up on the Grandstand side court, he was about to play Marchenko, these veterans were playing to get into the main draw, this was serious, desperation tennis, all business, all glares, all in.
Sandgren looked more ripped than the 2018/19 version when he was at the top of his game, making noise in Grand Slams and ranked in the mid 40's. And leaner somehow, maybe a late career 3 or 4 year run, show some rooks the way, grab a title or two, get back to top 50. I sat courtside and watched the whole match. Marchenko looked like an NFL player, big, broad, and strong, he belted the ball. There were distractions of all types, Tennys noticed them, he acknowledged them, he pointed at them, he overcame them, he used them, he ate them.
Finally, over two hours later, Sandgren came away with a hard fought straight sets win. Next for him is Alex Michelsen, a 19 year old ranked #75 in the world, an up and comer. I'm pulling for Tennys, the buffet ain't closed yet, it's time for him to eat. Beers are $13 this year, up from $12, the main entrance is closed, the vendors have abandoned the place, a few fewer bathrooms were brought in, the practice courts are off site, something's missing, a sparkle, a spirit, a polish, I just don't know. Tripping Daisy sang it best, "Trip along, my mindless waveless thoughts they carry on."